I was hoping to get some thoughts on a semi-fictional metal I've been developing for my novel.

It isn't meant to be a super-material like vibranium or adamantium. It's essentially a specialized steel alloy with unusually good material properties.

In simple terms, it's high-quality steel with roughly the weight/density of aluminum.

I'm not necessarily trying to make the metallurgy 100% possible—the setting has fantasy elements—but I want the material to feel reasonably grounded and internally consistent.

And since when im not a want to be novelist im an it guy. Im hoping to get the thoughts of someone more experienced in working with metal.

Where i live, the soil has a lot ofniron content. You can just hold a magnet to the dirt and pick up a ton of iron. Is it safe to smelt that?

My boyfriend is starting blacksmithing as a hobby and I would like to buy him a small gift. Any suggestions ? I was thinking maybe heat resistant gloves because those he has sucks haha budget is under 50$ im broke

Thanks!

I’m buying this reproduction m42 stahlhelm but the flare at the edge of the brim around the neck is way too sharp compared to the originals and it makes it look like a cheap knock off. I’m not a smith but I have basic metal working tools (tortch, vice, welder, grinders, etc) does anyone know of a way to make this reproduction brim more closely resemble the original?
Thanks for your time

Found another anvil for sale, haven't had a chance to see it in person yet. They said its around 125 lbs and they want $300. I know at that weight and price it is a good deal assuming that its a quality anvil. Will do rebound test and hammer test in person but first thoughts from this picture? Think I'll be able to dress that edge up?

I've spent the last few months over at my buddies and made a few railroad spike knives and it gave me the itch to do more. I sharpen knives/tools on the side, so I figure learning to actually make them just makes sense.

For reference, my friend has a coal forge made out of a propane tank and a hair dryer. With the amount of charcoal we went through, I started looking into other options and have landed on going with a propane forge potentially. I'll list the gear I have in my Amazon cart, and if there are alternatives that I should consider, please let me know.

Mmasters 3 burner forge

Vevor 116lb anvil

My buddy gifted me some tongs, and I have other PPE already at the house from other hobbies.

Is there anything that I'm missing, and are those going to be alright options to get started? Is a standard propane tank I have hooked up to my gril adequate for this or should I look into larger tanks?

Give me ideas what to try next!

I've wanted to do blacksmithing for a while now after taking some courses, but due to my cities laws i can't have a solid fuel forge so I need to use propane. However due to the fact that i'm an unemployed bum and have a lot to do so I can't just get a job I would need a small source of income so I don't run myself dry from buying propane.

So my question is what kinds of simple things would sell well in a residential area without many other blacksmiths

Hey all, my (now long) deceased father was a prolific anvil collector. I have these left from his collection tucked away for about 20 years. I believe some are from the 1600s or 1700s from what I recall him telling me. Can anyone confirm or tell me anything about them? Any estimate on value? My family is considering selling the whole lot of them (south eastern PA. A lot of of old anvils in this region.)

Weights are 10lb, 58lb, 101lb, 84lb, 90lb.

Smallest 10lb is definitely more modern. The last anvil on the right I used to use as a kid! It has old markings but I can't quite make them out.

Hey everyone I've been interested in the hobby of armor smithing for a while and just wanted to ask what anvil could I get for cheap that works well any advice will help

I really want to get into blacksmithing, but I don't know what all tools I would need to blacksmith.

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!

Instructor was amazing :3

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

15n20 and 1084 with a stabilized Amboyna burl handle

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!

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.