Baltimore Knife & Sword's Recommendations

Our Partnership with Bambu Lab

We exclusively use Bambu Lab's X1-Carbon 3D Printer to support our creative work in the workshop and forge. Check out Bambu Lab's offerings to see how they can support the possibilities of your creative ideas! Click here!

Items we use in the Shop

Here are links to many of the tools you see us using on the show.

https://amzn.to/3Qqgq4C - 66lb starter anvil for small work

https://amzn.to/3QnZP1s - One of the many forges you see in our videos

https://amzn.to/3UBKD3g - 20 count 3M safety glasses. Perfect for a small shop but also available in singles.

https://amzn.to/3WgGaV5 - 30 pairs of disposable 3M earplugs

https://amzn.to/3UhNJZ3 - Face shield you often see John wearing when grinding

https://amzn.to/4a1KIlt - Canon EOS R50 Content Creator Kit. Perfect for vlogging your work!

https://amzn.to/44q5iLc - Wiss ProShear scissors. Great for cutting leather and anything else you need to cut through

https://amzn.to/4dm10sg - O'Keefe's Working Hands, recommended by all of our blacksmiths, for soft hands

https://amzn.to/3Ug4t2K - Full Facepiece Reusable Respirator

https://amzn.to/3y1XGST - Helmet liner, 100% cotton

https://amzn.to/4dhRzdj - Elbow brace for long grinding days

https://amzn.to/4cmkPy3 - Play with your food while you build your own mini waffle kingdom!

So you want to be a Blacksmith?

Thanks to Gari, here are useful links for new and fledgling metal workers.

Hammer Bros - a compendium of beginner to intermediate information

Damselfly Forge, run by our friend Derick Kemper, Forged in Fire Champion (S5e32)

Baltimore Hot Metal, run by Nick Ireys. Offering classes in the Baltimore City area.

NovaLabs - a makerspace in Fairfax, VA, with a Blacksmithing studio

Ms. Caitlin's School of Blacksmithing, located in Frederick, MD

Touchstone Center for the Arts, located in Farmington, PA

John C. Campbell Folk School, located in Brasstown, NC

Virginia Institute of Blacksmithing, located in Waynesboro, VA

New England School of Metalwork, located in Auburn, ME

William F. Moran Jr Museum, located in Middletown, MD

Center for Metal Arts, located in Johnstown, PA

Blacksmithing Links and Resources

Our friends, Tyler and Trevor Brodie, shared the following link with useful blacksmithing and metalworking terms. Thanks, Trevor, for sharing!

Glossary of Blacksmithing and Metalworking Terms

Thanks to our friends at the Chesapeake Forge Blacksmith Guild, here are recommended suppliers of tools, learning resources, and Guilds.

Associations

Blacksmith Guild of Central Maryland

Artistic Blacksmith's Association of North America (ABANA)

Mid-Atlantic Smith's Association (MASA)

The Blacksmiths' Guild of the Potomac

Forges and Blacksmith Businesses

Iron Antler Forge is a local blacksmith doing well.

G. Krug and Son is the oldest continually operating blacksmith in the United States, in business for over 200 years.

Sources for Tools and Supplies

If you are looking to buy tools, visit Blacksmith Supply Company, Centaur Forge, Kayne & Son: Blacksmith's Depot, or my new favorite Pieh Tools.

For some unique tongs, hammers, and other tools visit GS Blacksmith Tongs.

For all kinds of hammers visit Hammer Source.

For hammer handles try the House Handle Company.

If you are looking for a maker (touch) mark, check out Columbia Marking Tools.

Looking for tool steel? Try Aldo Bruno, the New Jersey Steel Baron.

Anvils

Before you buy an anvil you should read Some thoughts on anvils. Then look at Old World Anvils and Nimba Anvils.

Books and Info

A Blacksmithing Primer: A Course in Basic and Intermediate Blacksmithing by Randy McDaniel is a good book to get if you are just starting out.

Another good book is 101 Metal Projects for the Novice Blacksmith: A "How-to" Shop Manual for Beginners
© Ken Scharabok, Poor Boy Blacksmith Tools (An ebay store), 1645 West Blue Creek Road, Waverly TN 37185.

A great resource suggested by a teacher and his students is here: https://store.alansfactoryoutlet.com/Blacksmithing-Basics-s/1909.htm While the website exists to sell pre-fab metal buildings, the owner is a science and industry enthusiast. He gives a basic overview of the craft and also has some links to excellent resources. While you're there, check out his infographics page, too. It's awesome!

Another great resource suggested by fellow artisans Sam and Glenn is this introductory guide to welding: https://dragonfiretools.com/workbench-guides-steel-welding-101-2/. It also contains many links to more information, so it's definitely worth a look!

Newsletters and Other Guilds

Artistic Blacksmith Group of Tidewater

Northeast Blacksmith's Association

Forge Fire (Indiana Blacksmithing Association)

Pittsburgh Area Artist Blacksmiths Association

Old Dominion Blacksmith Association