Hello, all. I am new here and have been wanting to get into blacksmithing for a few years now. I'm more interested in being a bladesmith, but I'd like to make other things on occasion. I have made a couple of knives, but nothing fancy. Just wanted to ask if there are any tips you guys have for a beginner? I guess dos and don't for someone who is just starting out. Believe it or not, I was using a 5lb barbell weight as an "anvil"... It's xxxx hard to work with. I just set up a what I hope is a better anvil. It's an actual steel anvil that weighs 20lbs that I affixed inside a 5 gallon bucket of quikrete and a few rocks. The whole thing weighs about 105lbs. As for a forge... Well I have one of those hollowed out white firebricks and a coffee can forge that I use with two bernzomatic ts8000 torches. Maybe I should upgrade that as well... I have a 4lb driver hammer, a 2.5 lb cross pein hammer and I use an assortment of pliers. I also have some borax. What do you guys think is the best way to utilize those? What can I realistically expect with my set up? Do I need more tools, or something better? I am a mechanic, so I know my way around tools and have pretty hearty hands and arms, so I hope that will help me some. Any tips are appreciated. Thanks guys. Here is my anvil. It's still curing.
