Hail from Smithville Missouri. Wanting to build a small heat treat forge to start with and learning on the way!

Hail back 'atcha, Iceman! Welcome to the forum. Anything in particular you are interested in forging?

I'm looking for a small to medium forge for some knife projects I have in mind. Right now I am in need of the basic heat treating type forge to start with.

Welcome aboard. Have you looked into BAM Blacksmiths Association of Missouri? They have a great website and chapters all over the state.

So computer controlled, electric elements, inert atmosphere for heat treating the more exotic knife alloys; or a hole in the ground filled with charcoal and a hand operated air mattress pump for air supply.  Both are within your criteria depending on how you personally evaluate "basic".

I'd say the simplest would be a charcoal fueled jabod forge. Welcome aboard, be safe and remember it's supposed to be fun.

Pnut

 

On 12/10/2019 at 9:35 AM, ThomasPowers said:

So computer controlled, electric elements, inert atmosphere for heat treating the more exotic knife alloys; or a hole in the ground filled with charcoal and a hand operated air mattress pump for air supply.  Both are within your criteria depending on how you personally evaluate "basic".

Basic = cheap and easy Sounds about right! 

If you want cheap and easy I'd go with a jabod like pnut suggested. Lots of good info on them over in the solid fuel forge section. I built one back in May and still use it today. Good luck and welcome.