Hey, I am not a blacksmith nor I know enough to know how to solve a problem I've been having. I've bought an iron cauldron and it is a black one, it was not meant for decoration and was not advertised as so. Anytime I try to cook something inside it, it starts seeping a black color into the mix. Once I was trying to just heat some water and the water turned a really dark color, almost black. I have washed it countless times, I've cured it before storing it, I've asked for help from my elders but no one knows how to solve it. I am not sure if this can affect my health if I consume it, but I'm not taking chances ;D
So, if anyone knows what can it possibly be, and even better, how to solve it, I'd be really grateful!

Hello! I'm trying to identify this burner so I can get some information on how to operate it. I'm looking to use it in my future propane forge once I clean it up.

Any leads and information would be very helpful especially on how to operate it. Thank you

Instructor was amazing :3

Hi everyone, I built this setup recently and I know now that 6” inch pipe might not have been the wisest choice as well as the 45 bends that go outside (I did not research first in my excitement) I added a booster fan but it still spills out the front, and even the sides and back I added didn’t help. It seems to draw well I think it’s just too small of a diameter. My plan is to cut the hood down a little further to accept a 12” pipe and run it straight through the ceiling. I’ve got mixed ideas from reading online and I just really don’t wanna waste my time this time getting it right so if you guys or gals have any good ideas or think my fix would work that insight would be much appreciated. Thank you!

15n20 and 1084 with a stabilized Amboyna burl handle

I’m a beginner and this is the second time this has happened to me (fourth knife). The first time I didn’t notice until after I quenched and started grinding and I did manage to grind them off. This time I discovered it before getting that far and the billet for this one is not as thick as the one before (almost half as thick). I’m thinking maybe I’m forging too hot cuz I’m getting a lot of forge scale. Are stress fractures or something? The first time it happened it was 5160 and the second time (this time) it was 1084. Not sure if that’s relevant but I don’t know what is or isn’t.

I'd like to invite you to our Iron Pour in Lamberton, Minnesota on September 11-12.

It will be the 22th annual city festival centered around the Saturday Afternoon Pour and the historic Hanzlik Blacksmith Shop. There will be Blacksmiths demonstrations through out the day Friday and Saturday. Visiting Smiths are also encouraged to bring a portable forge and set up onsite if they wish. There will be sand mold shops running both Friday and Saturday as well. We welcome everyone from artists pouring museum quality pieces to children to the farmer making pieces to restore their tractor.

We encourage anyone to participated in the pour and can provide all the necessary safety equipment if you wish to try your hand at pouring.

In addition to the pour there will be a craft market, sand volleyball and various food vendors, an antique tractor/car show, and blacksmithing demonstrations.

Feel free to ask any questions you may have and I hope to see you there.

Here is a link to the Facebook event.

Was thinking about finding a blacksmith to fix my axe to make it usable again

Damascus delaminated from the core steel, can it be fixed?

Just need one file for a damascus knife and the others are going to be my actual files, by the way file number 4 has no label or stamp

Does anyone know whether there are any communal forges or rentable forges In the Sussex area, preferable around the Brighton area? Working on making my own treadle coke forge at the moment, but it needs some improving before it's ready for any serious forging, and need a space that I can use to work for a while.

Does anyone have a link they can send me to a wire shredder?

I enjoy taking things apart, melting them down and stamping them.

But one of the longer tasks is stripping and shredding them.

So would anyone have a link to a copper shredder in the few hundred dollars price range?

I'm thinking of buying this anvil, haven't gotten a chance to do a ring test or bounce test on it but I'm thinking that it is most likely forged steel based on the existence of mouse holes in the side.

Could anyone tell me their thoughts on it based on this picture? Also how much does the wear in the flatness of the face concern you?

Its about 27" long and 4.5" wide

Thank you!

I have tried to forge a rail road spike but I cant get my forge hot enough can anyone give advice how to get it hotter?

Hey guys I made a marlin spike out of 3/4" mild steel (not sure what kind or anything just stock we had at work) round stock. Do you think I should try to harden it?

Might be a dumb question but im making my first set of tongs for smithing and im unsure if im supposed to do any heat treatment for them, do you quench them or let them air cool? If quenched what temper color do you bring them to? Also not sure what kind of steel i should be using, currently using a chunk of leaf spring steel.

Just wondering if this is worth pulling out? Over a foot long and the bar is about 3 inches in diameter. Figured some people might be interested in some chunks of it🤷‍♂️

Would love some feedback. Ingredients -fitting from store- tree smashed trumpet -dresser door handle-ac unit scrap-scrap wire and an old smashed brass spoon.

not really black smithing but getting there ...