Learn To Forge

Tag: community

  • Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting My First Forge

    When I first decided to take up blacksmithing, I was excited about crafting tools, knives, and maybe even some artistic pieces.

    I figured it would be challenging, but at the same time rewarding and I wasn’t wrong.

    What I didn’t realize was how many of even the smallest details, rookie mistakes, and surprise discoveries would shape my first experiences at the forge.

    If you’re thinking about jumping into blacksmithing, here’s a list of things I wish I’d known before I struck my first piece of glowing steel.

    1. Your First Forge Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect

    I spent way too much time stressing over my initial forge setup. I read countless guides and debated every small detail, trying to “get it right.”

    But here’s the truth I learned later: your first forge doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs to work.

    My first forge was homemade and scrappy. It consisted of an old brake drum, firebricks I salvaged, and a hairdryer attached to a pipe as my blower.

    It wasn’t pretty, but it heated steel. That’s all I really needed to get started and build my skills. Fancy setups can come later when you know what you’re doing.

    Quick Tip

    Start small and experiment with what you have. It’s better to learn on an inexpensive forge than to sink a ton of money into something you might outgrow in months.

    2. Tools Don’t Need to Be Expensive to Work

    Blacksmithing tools can get pricey fast, and at first, I worried that I couldn’t even start without a proper anvil or high-end hammers.

    Luckily, I soon discovered that you don’t need the best tools to begin, as long as they get the job done.

    For my makeshift anvil, I sometimes used a sledgehammer head and even a chunk of railroad track. It wasn’t perfect, and it didn’t have the rebound of a professional anvil, but it got the job done.

    My hammer? It was from my dad’s old toolbox, and my tongs were borrowed from a fellow hobbyist. Sure, upgrading tools has its perks, but for beginners, improvising works just fine.

    Quick Tip

    Railroad tracks, scrap steel blocks, or a sledgehammer head can act as temporary anvils. Basic claw hammers can double as forging tools, especially for small projects. Borrowing or buying secondhand are great ways to save money while you’re still learning.

    3. Start with Small Projects

    I’ll admit I got ambitious when I first started. I wanted to forge knives, axes, and intricate decor pieces right out of the gate. What I didn’t realize was that I was setting myself up for frustration.

    Small beginner projects, like hooks, bottle openers, or fire pokers, are the perfect way to learn basic techniques without getting overwhelmed. They also provide quick wins, which is incredibly motivating when you’re just starting out.

    Trust me, it’s better to complete a simple project than to spend hours on something ambitious that you’re not quite ready for.

    Quick Tip

    Choose beginner-friendly projects that teach you skills like tapering, bending, and scrolling. Each one builds your confidence and prepares you for more complex creations.

    4. Blacksmithing Is Hot, Dirty, and Exhausting

    This one probably sounds obvious, but the reality of standing in front of a fire, swinging a heavy hammer, and sweating buckets hit me harder than I expected.

    Blacksmithing is physical work, and it can take a toll. It’s important to pace yourself, take breaks, and stay hydrated.

    That said, I found that the physicality is also part of what makes it rewarding. When you see the tangible results of your effort, a bent piece of steel shaped into something useful, it’s all worth it.

    Quick Tip

    Invest in proper safety gear (gloves, safety glasses, and ear protection) and make sure your workspace is well-ventilated. It’s better to sweat than to risk an injury.

    5. The Blacksmithing Community Is Amazing

    One of the best surprises in my early days was discovering how welcoming and helpful the blacksmithing community can be.

    Whether it’s online forums, YouTube tutorials, or local blacksmith groups, there are so many people willing to share their knowledge and support.

    Reaching out to other blacksmiths saved me from countless mistakes.

    From tips on how to position steel in the fire to advice on building a better forge, their generosity, and experience boosted my confidence in ways I couldn’t have imagined.

    Quick Tip

    Don’t hesitate to ask for help. Join blacksmithing communities online or attend local events. They make all the difference when you’re starting out.

    6. Expect to Make Mistakes—and Learn from Them

    I can’t count how many times I swung the hammer wrong, overheated my steel, or tried to fix one problem and ended up creating three more. Mistakes are a huge part of learning, and each one teaches you something valuable.

    The key is to keep going. Instead of viewing mistakes as failures, think of them as lessons. Some of the most rewarding moments I’ve had came from figuring out how to fix or improve something I messed up.

    Quick Tip

    Keep a notebook or journal of what works (and what doesn’t). It’ll help you track your progress and avoid repeating the same mistakes.

    7. Patience Is Part of the Process

    Blacksmithing demands patience. It’s easy to get frustrated when something doesn’t turn out how you imagined, but rushing or cutting corners rarely helps.

    I’ve had to remind myself time and time again that good work takes time and that every swing of the hammer counts toward improving my skills.

    Quick Tip

    Take a deep breath and enjoy the process. The more time you spend working with steel, the more intuitive the craft will become.

    Final Thoughts

    Starting my first forge wasn’t just the beginning of a hobby, it was the start of a passion that has taught me so much about creativity, resourcefulness, and perseverance. Looking back, I wouldn’t trade those messy, sweaty early days for anything.

    If you’re thinking about building your first forge, my advice is simply to just start!

    Use what you have, make mistakes, and most importantly, enjoy the experience.

    Blacksmithing isn’t just about the tools or the finished products; it’s about the journey you take in learning and mastering the craft.

  • Forging Connections: How Blacksmithing Brought Me Closer to My Community

    When I first started blacksmithing, I thought it would be a solitary hobby.

    Just me, the glowing forge, and the sound of the hammer shaping steel late into the night.

    At first, I wanted to learn the craft simply to challenge myself, to try my hand at something tactile and ancient. But somewhere along the way, blacksmithing became so much more.

    It connected me to the people around me in ways I never expected. It grew into a bridge that brought me closer to my community.

    The Connections Began Online

    Before I found connections in my town, I stumbled into the larger forging community through Facebook groups.

    I joined a few groups where blacksmithing enthusiasts from around the world shared their projects, tips, and challenges.

    What struck me was how generous and welcoming everyone was. I could post a question about hammer techniques or show off a newly forged item, and the feedback came pouring in.

    These groups became a source of motivation and guidance, and it wasn’t long before I noticed people in my area posting in them as well.

    That’s how I met a local farmer who needed a replacement door latch for his barn. He knew of me through a Facebook group and reached out to see if I could help.

    I wasn’t sure if I could deliver the level of craftsmanship he expected, but I said yes. To my surprise, the latch turned out beautiful, functional, and sturdy.

    The farmer was thrilled and showcased the latch at a gathering shortly after.

    His word-of-mouth endorsement, paired with Facebook posts he shared, opened the floodgates for more local requests. Suddenly, I was being approached to forge unique pieces like coat hooks, custom hinges, and household tools. Initially, I saw it as work.

    Then I realized these projects were about more than creating objects, they were about building relationships.

    Real-Life Demonstrations and Workshops

    The shift from online to real-life connections came when I was asked to lead a blacksmithing demonstration at a local fair.

    I’ll admit, I hesitated at first.

    Public speaking has never come naturally to me, so the idea of forging and explaining my work while people watched made me anxious. But I couldn’t resist the chance to share my love of forging with others.

    What surprised me most was how engaged people became. Kids and adults lined up, asking questions, watching sparks light up against the workshop backdrop, and marveling at how a raw bar of steel could transform into something functional or decorative.

    Some people even asked to try forging themselves. That day revealed something powerful, to share blacksmithing is to share a sense of wonder and creativity.

    Encouraged by this experience, I started organizing blacksmithing workshops.

    I announced them in a local community group on Facebook, and the response took me by surprise.

    People of all ages and backgrounds signed up, eager to get their first taste of the forge. These workshops were more than educational.

    Whether it was a retiree crafting their first steel hook or a teenager making an iron pendant, every session became a space to chat, swap stories, and connect over shared moments of learning and laughter.

    Collaborating on Local Projects

    Perhaps my favorite blacksmithing memory involves a project for the town’s community garden.

    The town council wanted decorative ironwork to enhance the grounds and reached out to me to see if I’d be interested. I didn’t just say yes; I recommended involving residents in the design and creation process.

    From brainstorming designs to sketching floral motifs, we worked together. I forged the pieces while regularly posting updates in community Facebook groups to show progress and keep everyone involved.

    When the gates and trellises were finally installed, the unveiling was a moment of collective pride. I wasn’t just proud of the work but of the connection it created.

    Those gates weren’t just functional or beautiful; they became a reflection of what our community could accomplish together.

    Building Friendships Through the Forge

    Over time, my forge became a hub where people dropped by for more than just tools or projects.

    Neighbors picked up on the smoky smell or the sound of clanging hammers and stopped in just to say hello or watch me work. Sometimes, they’d bring an old tool that needed reshaping or ask if I could make something from scrap steel they had lying around.

    Interestingly, the friendships I built weren’t exclusive to my immediate circle.

    By staying active in Facebook groups, I found others nearby who were eager to share the craft.

    Through these connections, I met other artisans, woodworkers, glassblowers, and metal fabricators. All with whom I was able to collaborate on larger and more intricate pieces.

    Whether it was welding a handle for a coffee table or attaching forged accents to a glass centerpiece, these projects deepened my appreciation for how diverse skills could blend together.

    Finding a Place to Belong

    Looking back at my blacksmithing journey, I see how it transformed from a solitary pursuit into something greater, a way of belonging.

    Whether I was hammering out a tool, teaching someone how to strike hot steel, or working with others to enhance our shared spaces, every swing of the hammer seemed to carry a deeper meaning.

    The forge no longer feels like just my workshop. It’s become part of the community itself, both online and offline. Through it, I’ve forged more than metal.

    I’ve forged friendships, partnerships, and stories that I’ll carry with me just as much as the tools I make. Blacksmithing may begin as individual craftsmanship, but its heart lies in connection.

    Today, whenever I join a Facebook group discussion or step outside my shop to greet a neighbor, I’m reminded of how this craft builds bonds as strong and lasting as steel.

    Blacksmithing isn’t just about shaping metal. It’s about shaping the connections that make our communities feel like home.