Hi everyone! Been interested in blacksmithing for a few months now, and the more I read, the more interested I become. I've been reading quite a bit on this forum and have decided that I'm going to jump in. First of all, thanks to all you veteran blacksmiths for your great advice and knowledge!
As I start on this journey, I'm hoping to get some advice from the get-go. I'm fortunate enough to have a blacksmithing school about 15 minutes away from me. I plan on taking a couple classes there ASAP. Hopefully that will equip me with some basic skills that I can grow into a craft. The area where I need advice is my personal forge. I honestly don't know where to begin. I will have roughly a thousand to spend initially. Will this be enough to get me a rudimentary set-up? Also, I want to mostly forge knives and swords. Would a propane or coal forge be most beneficial? Where are the best places to buy supplies, like steel and tools? Locally or online?
Thanks in advance! I look forward to engaging with everyone on here!