Essential Blacksmithing Tools for Beginners: Start Your Forging Journey Right

Starting out in blacksmithing can feel overwhelming – the craft combines tradition, strength, and precision, but it all begins with the right tools. Whether you’re aiming to forge your first knife, hammer out decorative ironwork, or simply explore metal as a hobby, having the proper starter kit makes all the difference.

1. Hammers: The Blacksmith’s Signature Tool

A hammer is the heart of blacksmithing. From cross peen hammers to dog head hammers and rounding hammers, each serves a specific purpose. Beginners usually start with a versatile rounding or cross peen hammer, ideal for shaping and drawing out hot metal. As skills grow, specialized hammers like hot cut hammers or flatter hammers help refine work.

2. Tongs: Your Extra Pair of Hands

Handling glowing steel requires safety and precision, which is where tongs come in. Blacksmithing tongs are designed for different stock shapes – flat blanks, round bars, or universal grips. Beginners should invest in at least one pair of universal tongs for flexibility and then expand as projects become more complex.

3. Safety Gear: Protection First

Forging means dealing with fire, sparks, and heavy tools, so protective equipment is non-negotiable. Leather aprons shield your torso from heat and flying debris, gloves protect your hands, and forearm sleeves defend against burns from stray sparks. These aren’t just accessories – they’re essentials that let you work with confidence.

4. Anvils and Shaping Tools

An anvil or mini anvil provides the solid surface every blacksmith needs. Alongside it, shaping tools like drifts and mandrels help create precise holes and curves, ensuring accuracy in your work. For beginners, a smaller anvil or even a hardy tool attachment is enough to start.

5. Why Quality Matters

Investing in well-forged tools pays off long term. A properly balanced hammer reduces fatigue, high-quality tongs hold metal securely, and durable safety gear prevents accidents. Cheap starter kits may seem attractive, but they rarely stand up to the heat and intensity of real forging.

Start Forging with Confidence

At AncientSmithy, we don’t just make axes and hammers – we forge tools for forgers. Our blacksmithing tools are designed with beginners in mind, combining traditional techniques with modern reliability.

Explore our collection and build your toolkit with handcrafted gear that’s made to last.