HOME         EVENTS         ABOUT CFI         NEWSLETTER         RESOURCES         CONTACT US   

Some safety tips and best practices:

  • ALWAYS WEAR EYE PROTECTION.
  • Never forge galvanized metal, the fumes can be deadly.
  • Always assume METAL IS HOT until you know otherwise. Most burns are from black iron.
  • IF YOU BURN YOURSELF, immediately submerge the burn in cold water until the cold hurts more than the burn; then put on some aloe vera and a bandage.
  • Wear natural materials while smithing, such as cotton. Synthetic materials may melt onto your skin if exposed to extreme heat.
  • While there are plenty of tasks in your shop that may necessitate gloves, they are not recommended on your hammering hand while blacksmithing or when using rotating machinery.
  • If your hammer head is loose, put it head-down in water and get a different hammer.
  • WHEN CARRYING HOT STEEL past others, keep it low, in front of you, and announce it aloud.

Also…

  • Look before you move.
  • Plan your moves before you move.
  • Notice where others are around you and what they are doing.
  • If you get a blister, tape the affected area with duct tape and wear gloves.
  • Think about how your workpiece is going to respond before you hit it.
  • Do your best not to hit the anvil with your hammer: it can damage the anvil.
  • When cutting or slitting, protect the anvil with a cutting plate.
  • No alcohol unless the day has ended and all the forges and equipment are turned off.
 

SUPPLY RESOURCES

Disclaimer: We often get asked where to find blacksmithing materials, and this list was put together by some of our members as a resource for others who may be having difficulty finding forging supplies. These are not paid advertisements and we are not endorsing or recommending these companies or their products, only providing a list of potential sources for supplies to those who are looking.

Blacksmithing Supplies
  • blacksmithsupply.com
  • blacksmithsdepot.com
  • centaurforge.com
  • piehtoolco.com
Solid Fuel (Coke)
  • Mountain Brook Forge - mountainbrookforge.com Contact Mike Pick 509-553-3470 St. John, WA
  • Fire Iron Forge - fireironforge.com Contact David Walker 208-620-8738 Rathdrum, ID
Steel & Other Metals
  • Alcobra Metals - 4510 N Freya
  • Pacific recycling - 2901 E Trent
  • newjerseysteelbaron.com
  • admiralsteel.com
  • onlinemetals.com
Anvils & Forges
  • Morgan-Jade Ironworks (Rhino anvils) - 2403 E Euclid morganjadeironworks.com
  • diamondbackironworks.com
  • hightemptools.com
  • hollandanvil.com
  • majesticforge.com
  • nimbaanvils.com
  • vevor.com
Knifemaking Supplies
  • popsknife.supplies
  • knifekits.com
  • knifemaking.com
  • texasknife.com
  • knifeandgun.com
Wood/Handle Materials & Leather
  • Tandy Leather - 1702 N Monroe
  • Windsor Plywood - 4011 E Ferry
  • Woodcraft of Spokane - 212 N Sullivan
  • cookwoods.com
  • mastercraftsupply.com
  • bellforestproducts.com
  • springfieldleather.com
  • rmleathersupply.com
Grinders & Belts
  • originblademaker.com/shop/
  • beaumontmetalworks.com
  • ameribrade.com
  • brodbeckironworks.com
  • housemade.us
  • combatabrasives.com
  • redableabrasives.com
  • trugrit.com
Odds & Ends
  • Spokane Power Tool - 801 E Spokane Falls Blvd
  • steelstampsinc.com

EDUCATION

This is not an exhaustive list, but some helpful resources.

Glossaries of Blacksmithing Terms

Know of a Resource We Should Add to the List?

Contact us by email at smith (at) columbiafireandiron (dot) org.

This is a growing list, and we appreciate your contributions!