Blacksmithing is a somewhat difficult job but the modern artistic-blacksmithing is in high demand. Complex items can be made, but you need to have a certain amount of skill before you can attempt anything too complicated. There are some beginner blacksmith projects you can make before becoming a pro.
Many blacksmiths start with a small project and use it to gain experience and a handful of starting cash.
As you gain experience, you move on to tricky stuff and more substantial and cumbersome tools.
You start to receive more orders and gain a reputation for yourself. But all that requires consistency and passion for blacksmithing.
Many people, who start a career in blacksmithing, often don’t find any inspiration or an idea about what they should begin with.
You may try to go big and start with something expensive and large. Or maybe a delicate decorative leaf that requires experience and razor-sharp focus. That may not work very well for you. The best way is to start small and cheap. Slowly but steadily gain experience and move up the ladder.
Don’t just stick to a handful of projects just because you’re afraid of trying out new stuff. You’ve come across countless metal-crafts throughout your life. Someone like you forged them.
DON’T settle for anything less. Bring out your tools, take risks, and if you keep the ball rolling in the right direction, you might just forge something OUT OF THIS WORLD.
Here’s a list of creative and new projects with details that you can try today.
Bearded Axe
A bearded axe can be made using a thick heavy piece of iron bar. This project is one of the easiest beginner blacksmith projects. It would be best if you use a power hammer for this. Hammer the iron bar in the shape of an axe head and make a hole in it to fit the handle. Make fine adjustments as needed. In the end, you can sharpen the cutting edge.
VOILA! You have your very own bearded axe.
Hollow Hole Punch
Here is another easy beginner blacksmith projects. Take a metal bar and shape it in the form of a cube with one end round and thick. You’ll have to use milling and lathe machines to create the final hollow holes.
Use the lathe to make the shape fine and drill an axial hole in the bar. Use the mill to drill a straight hole in the bar.
This is a great project to learn some new blacksmithing techniques. And if you manage to pull this off, you’ll have a functional hole punch to cut holes.
Froe
A froe is used to cleave wood. You can forge one using a long and flat metal bar. Shape it into the perfect shape of a froe by hammering and make one edge sharp & the other round to hold the handle.
No complicated tools are needed to forge a froe. All you need is an anvil, a hammer, and some rounding tools.
Ram’s Head Railroad Spike
Ram’s head is one of beginner blacksmith projects that is useful as a figure mostly used for decoration. You can forge one, but it’ll require some additional skills and some special tools.
Take a metal rod or a flat bar and cut it’s one side in half. Use the smaller cut bars to make the horns and the other end to make a face. Make fine adjustments using small tools.
It is a bit complicated project, but the end product is definitely worth it.
Golok Machetes
A Golok Machete has the shape of a sword or a long knife. It’s round and has a wooden handle. You can create one using a long metal bar.
Forge the bar into the shape of the blade and make adjustments to attach the handle. Now all you need to do is to sharpen the blade. You can use an angle grinder for that and also for minor adjustments.
Gas Bottle Propane Forge and Burners
A propane forge is an exciting project to do. All you need is an old propane tank, some burners, and necessary cutting and welding tools.
Start by cutting the propane tank into shape. Attach the lamps on top in any orientation you like. Make a base or refractive material, and you’re done. You can use this forge yourself or sell it for profit.
Kiridashi Style Knife
Kiridashi knives are beautiful pieces of art. They are used for multiple applications. Forging one is quite easy, and you don’t need many tools.
Just take a part of a metal bar, forge it into shape and sharpen the blade edge. You want them to be aesthetic, right? Don’t forget to apply a nice glossy finish for a high ending note.
Ball Peen Hammer
A ball-peen hammer is a standard tool that every blacksmith needs and you can make it one of your top beginner blacksmith projects. You can forge one for your own needs, or you can sell it for profit. Forging one is easy and exciting.
Take a round metal bar and cut a small piece from it. You’ll need a power hammer for smooth operation. Hammer it into shape and make a hole for the handle. That’s it!
Drawknife
A drawknife is a woodworking tool used to shave wood. It has a long thin blade and two handles, curved for ease. You can forge one using a long metal bar.
Forge the handles into shape and bend them. Hammer the blade into shape and sharpen it. Attach the wooden handles, and you’re done.
A Small Craving Knife
Small carving knives have multiple purposes. You can forge one with ease. Just weld some metal strips together and hammer them into a smaller and much thinner shape. This is done to strengthen the knife.
Hammer it into the form of a small knife and attach the wooden handle on it. Make fine adjustments using an angle grinder and some files.
A Scythe Peening Anvil
Peening is the art of hammering a tool to change its metal properties. You can peen a scythe using a special anvil called the scythe peening anvil. You can include it as one of your beginner blacksmith projects.
It can be forged using a straight piece of the metal bar and hammering it into the perfect shape. Anneal it at the end to make it stronger. There you go, now you can peen any scythe on it.
Tactical Bush Sword
Bush swords are used to clear areas of wild bushes. They are long and heavy. You can forge one using a long metal bar. You’ll need a power hammer and some grinding tools along with some essential forging tools.
Hammer the bar flat and make it’s one end round for the handle. Grind one edge to make the blade. And there you have it.
Herb Chopper
Herb choppers are standard among many chefs and restaurants. You can forge one pretty quickly using a steel bar. Make a little cut at one end and elongate it using a hammer.
This end will make the handle. For the rest of the bar, all you need to do is hammer it into the shape of a blade and grind it. Use a file to make final tweaks. And there you have it.
Flatter
Flatter is a specialized tool with one flat end, and the other is where you hit with a hammer. There are many ways to forge one.
One of the best ways is to make a mold and a container. You can then hammer the whole thing into shape. It might take some extra time and effort, but the result is perfect.
Viking Round Shield
Viking shields are mostly used as decoration pieces on walls and it is good as one of your beginner blacksmith projects. You’ll need some necessary woodworking skills to make one. You can also learn some woodwork techniques by opting for this one.
Cut a circular piece of high-quality wood and attach leather at the circumference. Forge a round metal to connect at the center. You can spice up things by decorating it.
Tools Needed For Stone Splitting
Stone splitting tools are of various types, and all of them are easy to forget. They have multiple uses and are needed by many people. You can forge all of them using a few pieces of metal bars. Make sure to tamper them as required, or they might not last very long.
Simple Homemade Blacksmith’s Forge
If you’re just starting and need a quick DIY forge, you can make one yourself. Make a container of wood or metal and fill it with sand.
Put it on a stand and make a hole for air. Use a vacuum cleaner for air intake and create a small pit in the container for the fuel.
You can use your blacksmithing techniques to forge hinges to hold the wooden structure.
Cant Hook
Are you in need of beginner blacksmith projects? A cant hook is used for wood logging and turning wood in sawmills. To create one, you’ll need some woodworking skills and necessary forging skills. Create a long wooden handle using a piece of wood and a lathe machine.
Then attach the metal hook to the end. You’ll have to use bolts to make it secure and adjustable.
Power Hammer Die
Power hammer dies are used in power hammers for multiple purposes. Since they have to handle substantial impact loads, they have to be made carefully. You can forge one using a bar of iron or steel.
Forge it in perfect shape and then use a lathe machine to make minor adjustments in the dimensions. Tamper it to ideal hardness and file it to perfection.
You can then sell it at a hefty price as there will be tons of customers to buy it.
Ball Swage
Ball swages are used to add protection to ends of ropes. They can be forged using iron bars and rods. Use a round rod to cut two similar pieces and drill holes into them for ease. Then use the flat bar to make the handles and weld them together. File the finished product to perfection.
Larger Decorative Leaf
Decorative leaves are easy to make and are used by many people to decorate their homes or furniture. You can easily forge these leaves using simple metal rods. Hammer the leaf into shape and add some details using different types of tools. You can use different shapes of bars to forge different kinds of leaves.
But be careful as these are fragile and prone to breakage.
Corkscrew
Corkscrews are used to open cork bottles. They are mostly utilized by wine shops and require some skill to forge. You don’t need any complicated tools to forge one, though.
Just take a metal rod and make it round and thin. Punch a hole in it and force one end of the rod through the hole. Then bend it and form a shape like a spiral to open the caps.
A Sword
Sword making can vary and depends mostly on the type of sword you’re making. You can forge a simple sword in a few hours. Start with a thin steel bar and cut one end to make the pointy end of the sword.
You can use essential forging tools and cutoff tools. Make the handle and sharpen the sword in any way you like, and that’s pretty much it.
Rounding Hammer
Rounding hammer is a basic type of hammer used mostly for shaping any heated metal bar. It’s one of the basic tools that you must have to keep your blacksmithing workshop running. So adding it as part of your beginner blacksmith projects has extra benefits.
You can forge one easily using basic forging techniques and tools. Just take a medium-sized metal rod or bar and shape it into a hammerhead. Punch a hole in it for the handle, and you’re done.
Touchmark Stamp
Touchmark stamps are used to leave your maker’s mark on your product. Almost all blacksmiths have their stamps or marks that they put on their products. You can forge one for yourself pretty quickly.
Take a straight metal rod and, at one end, carve your mark using precise tools and a hammer. Tamper it to make it strong so that it won’t bend or break.
Hand-Forged Wine Glass Holder
Wine glass holders are used to hold wine glasses upside down. They are hung on wine bottles and serve the purpose of decoration pieces too. You can forge one pretty quickly.
Take a metal rod and elongate and bend it’s both ends. The ends will hold the cups. Punch a hole in the middle to hang it on the bottle. You can make it into any shape you want.
Axe
A blacksmith might not use an axe much, but you can sell them for profit. Woodworkers pay a reasonable price for quality axes. You can forge one using a thick metal rod.
You might need a power hammer to hammer it into shape. Tamper it to make it hard and sharpen it on a grinding tool. Attach a handle to it, and you’re done.
A Pair Of Bolt Tongs
Bolt tongs are used to hold bolts and small metal rods while heating them in a forge. Tongs prevent accidental burns and fires. They are a necessary precaution, and every blacksmith must have a pair for safety purposes.
You can forge one easily for your use or for-profit. Just take two metal rods and hammer each into one arm of the tongs. Attach both arms using a bolt and heat treat it.
Yakut Knife
Yakut knives are a particular type of blades used for woodworking, hide cutting, fish cutting, and many other purposes. They are not that different from traditional knives and can be forged easily as one of your beginner blacksmith projects.
You’ll need a piece of high carbon steel to make a Yakut knife. Hammer the knife blade into shape using a power hammer or a regular one. Then sharpen the blade and attach the handle.
Hasp Latch
Hasp latches are used to lock doors or other items. They can be forged using a piece of a metal bar.
Forge one piece into shape and make holes where needed. Then forge the fixed part and make cuts where the locking mechanism has to be attached. Finally, attach both pieces.
Herb Chopper
Herb choppers are standard among many chefs and restaurants. You can forge one pretty quickly using a steel bar. Make a little cut at one end and elongate it using a hammer. This end will make the handle.
For the rest of the bar, all you need to do is hammer it into the shape of a blade and surface grind it. Use a file to make final tweaks. And there you have it.
Viking Axe
Viking axes are short but effective. They can be used as decoration pieces or for woodworking. You can forge one from scratch or by modifying an old one.
Since they are short, they require attention to detail. Hammer the cutting part into shape and attach the handle at the end. Sharpen it and bring in your imagination for the decoration part.
Scythe
Scythes are great tools with a long handle and a long blade. They are used to cut fields and can also be used as decoration pieces. You can forge one using basic forging techniques and tools.
Take a long metal bar and shape in the form of a curved blade. You might need a thick bar to start with since the edge is quite long and wide. After forging the blade, attach a handle to it, and you’re done with one of the best beginner blacksmith projects.
A Pair of Blacksmith Tongs
There are many different types of tongs for various purposes. They can be forged using rebars or metal bars. They are a must for every blacksmith as they can protect you from burns while forging.
You’ll need nee two pieces of rebars or metal bars to forge each arm of the tong and, in the end, attach them.
An Axe Drift
Axe drifts are used to punch holes in cutting edges of axes to hold the handles. The holes needed for axes are wider and have a unique shape and therefore require a special tool.
This tool is referred to as an axe drift. You can forge one using any piece of a metal bar but remember to tamper it to make it strong and brittle.
Damascus Chef’s Knife
A Damascus Chef’s knife has a long and wide blade. Chefs use them for chopping vegetables and other stuff. You can forge one using a metal bar.
Hammer it into shape and leave a small area at one end for the handle. You might need a power hammer for this one. Be sure to tamper it to make it sturdy.
Shoehorn
Shoehorns are used to guide your feet into shoes. Sometimes it’s hard to put shoes on, and the shoehorns make it much easier. You can forge one easily using a thin metal rod.
Make one end flat and bend it. You can also add decorations to the other end or make a nice handle. Tamper it to make it strong if you want.
A Flint Striker
A flint striker is used to make a fire. They are used as a survival tool by campers. You can forge one using a thin and small piece of metal.
Forge its ends into thin and round horns and bend them to make the handle. Flatten the mid-section to the size you want, and you’re done.
Ram’s Head Poker
Ram’s head is used for decorating many tools. Forging a ram’s head requires some extra skills. You can use it on anything by welding and filing.
Take a long bar of mild steel and cut it’s one end in half. This will make the horns. Use the other end to make the ram’s face and decorate the horns. That’s pretty much it.
Spring Swage
A Spring swage is a tool used to shape metal bars into a particular shape and it is one of the suitable considerations for beginner blacksmith projects. They are put in the Hardie hole of an anvil. You can make one by using two steel bars that are sturdy enough to absorb blows.
Cut a hole between them and attach them to a bent bar to make a spring-like tool. Attach a mount to one side of the tool as it will going in the Hardie hole of the anvil.
An Adze
An Adze is like an axe but with the blade perpendicular to the handle. They are used by woodworkers to cut or carve wood. They can be forged using any piece of scrap metal as long as you know what you’re doing.
Forge the blade and curve it into the perfect shape. Punch a hole for the handle, and you’re done. Make sure to tamper it to give it some strength.
Woodworkers Holdfast
Holdfasts are used to hold the wood in place while working on it. It’s L-shaped and has a curved arm and a straight handle. The handle goes into the hole, and the arm holds the wood in place.
You can forge one using basic forging tools and techniques. The handle doesn’t need much work; however, you’ll have to shape the arm yourself.
A Power Hammer Flatter
A power hammer flatter is different from a manual one. It’s simple to make and consists of around the middle section and two flat ends. You can forge one using any metal bar.
It is a good idea to use steel or tamper the iron to make it strong. It’s not directly attached to the power hammer and is used separately.
A Small Bell
Bells have many uses and can be sold for profit. They can be made easily, and the process itself is quite enjoyable. You can shape it any way you like.
Take a hollow pipe and cut a small piece. Close it’s one end only to allow a small rod to pass through. Close the end after attaching the rod, and you’re done. You can grind and file it to give it a perfect shine.
Hammer Eye Punch
An eye punch is used to punch holes of different sizes. It’s attached to one side of a hammer. It can be forged using a piece of a metal bar. A power hammer might make things easier. So, it is one of the ideal considerations for beginner blacksmith projects.
Forge one end into the end of a hammer and the other into the eye punch using an angle flatter on a power hammer. You can do it manually, but it may take a lot of time.
And that’s all you have to do for a perfect hammer eye punch.
Hand-Forged Hairpin
Hand-forged hairpins are rare, and that makes them special. Forging one doesn’t require any heavy or specialized tools. You can use thin metal bars and make two hooks at both ends.
Then bend them in opposite directions and finally bend the whole thing. Now make the pin using another piece of the metal bar and grind and file it to make it shine a bit.
Sugarcane Machetes
Sugarcane machetes have a long and thick blade since they need considerable momentum to cut down sugar canes. They can be forged using a thick and long piece of metal.
You’ll need a power hammer for this one. You might be able to make it manually, but it’ll take too much effort. Hammer the blade into shape and make the handle.
Nail Header
Nail headers are used to quick forge nails. They consist of a small metal piece with a hole in it. The hole is square-shaped at the bottom and circular at the top. You can forge using a piece of high carbon steel or any standard metal bar.
Make the holes as required and forge a handle for it. Then you should be able to make nails quickly.
A Four-Sided Hammer
A four-sided hammer is like a normal one but having four different sides for multiple operations. Forging one is easy and can be done using a power hammer.
Take a thick piece of iron bar and hammer into the shape of a four-sided hammerhead. Punch a hole into it and attach the handle. You can choose the styles you require on your 4-sided hammerhead.
An 11th Century Viking Seax
A Viking seax is a large-sized knife; used by warriors in the past. It’s quite heavy and has a thick blade with a wide sharp edge.
It’s easy to forge and can be done using a wide metal bar. Hammer the blade into shape and grind the cutting edge. Make the handle end thin and attach a handle to it.
You can either sell it as a decorative piece or just add to your own collection. Either way, it is a good idea for beginner blacksmith projects.
Trivet
A trivet is a stand used on stoves to cook. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes. A simple trivet can be made by welding multiple bars of metal.
You have the choice of either making it in a square cross-section or around one. And then? Decorate it as you wish.
Candlestick
Candlesticks are decoration pieces used to hold candles. They are made from metal bars. Though if you use rebar, it might be easier.
Make the top end to hold the candle and the base wide enough to prevent toppling. You can decorate it as you like and grind it to give it a shine. Or maybe a finish for a glossy look.
Brush Handle
Brush handles are used on many different types of brushes. They are relatively cheap, and people don’t need them much, but some of them might want a custom one for themselves.
You can forge a custom brush handle for them. Use any piece of metal and forge it into any shape you want. Make sure to file it to give it a smooth surface.
Leaf Wall Hook
A leaf wall hook is the same as a normal wall hook, but it has a leaf decoration added to it. You can forge a leaf and weld it to a hook, or you can elongate it’s lower end into a hook. The choice is yours.
It is a fun project and helps in refining your blacksmithing techniques.
Fire Poker
Fire poker is a common item used in most homes. You can forge some for-profit or personal use. Either way, it is one of the brightest beginner blacksmith projects.
Take a long piece of metal bad and hammer it into any shape you like. Bend it and add decorations until you’re satisfied. And there you have it.
Axe Pendant
A pendant is not a tool but more of a decoration piece that you wear. You can forge it similarly as you forge an ordinary axe.
But you don’t need a wooden handle in this case. Just attach a string to it, and you’re done.
Leaf Key Ring
Keyrings are common, and people prefer custom made keyrings for themselves or for their loved ones. You can forge it using a long thin piece of a metal rod.
Hammer it in the shape of a leaf and bend the lower end to form the key holder. You can file and grind it to give it a shine. You can also add some decorations to it.
C-Spanner
A c-spanner is used to lock and unlock the drilling heads on lathe and milling machines. It can also be used to tighten or loosen many other machine parts. You can forge one using a steel bar.
Iron is not recommended since it may bend over time. You can tamper it to make it strong, though. Hammer the stock into shape, tamper, and file it to give it a perfect finish, and there you have it.
Flower Stake
A flower stake is a charming decoration piece, and many people would like to have one for themselves. You can forge one using a flat metal plate and a thin rod for the stem.
Cut the plate into a flower shape and bend the petals. Then attach the stem to it and file it to give it a shiny look.
A Tactical Bowie Knife
Bowie knives are mainly used for hunting purposes and have a long heavy blade with a wide cutting edge. You can forge one from metal plates by cutting a piece in the shape of a knife, or you can use a metal bar and draw it out.
It’s recommended that you use many layers of a metal plate and hammer them together. As a single metal bar may take a lot of time.
Dinner Bells
Dinner bells are a nice item to forge. They are easy and can be sold for profit. All you need is a simple metal bar to forge a dinner bell. There are many different types, but the most common one is a triangle bell.
It’s evident that you just have to bend a long metal bar in a triangular shape. For this, you can either use tongs or a vise.
Candleholder
A candle holder is different from a candlestick. Candle holders are more like a plate that can hold multiple candles. You can easily move them around.
They can be forged using a flat piece of a metal plate. Punch the shape of the candle into it and make any decorations you like.
Toilet Roll Holder
Toilet roll holders may not be very common to forge, but they can be made for fun. You can forge it by using any piece of the metal bar and hammer it into the shape of a typical toilet roll holder.
To make it unique, you can add some decorations and give it a beautiful finish.
Letter Opener
Letter openers are not very common, and many people use other tools to open them. But some may want a custom letter opener made especially for them.
You can forge one easily using a metal rod and add any kind of decoration you like.
Hot Dog or Marshmallow Toasting Forks
Toasting forks can be used to toast multiple items. They are wanted by people who go camping frequently.
You can create custom forks for them. All you need is a long piece of metal rod and some basic forging skills and tools. Hammer the fork in shape and decorate it to perfection.
Bow Hunter Using Silverware
You don’t need much blacksmithing knowledge to bend silverware to make a bowhunter, and you can use some forging skills if you’re planning to make a giant bow hunter, but for smaller ones, just basic knowledge will do. You can use all kinds of silverware and weld it in any shape you want.
Bottle Opener
A bottle opener might not be a common tool that everyone needs, but most shops have one, and you can create a custom one for them.
Start with a metal bar and forge it into the shape of a bottle opener. Decorate it and file it to give it a beautiful look.
Forging A Coat Hanger
A coat hanger is very common and used by many people to hang their coats or clothes and it is one of the best beginner blacksmith projects. They might be looking for a custom-made coat hanger. You can forge one easily using metal rods. You’ll need the basic knowledge of forging and welding to make it.
Forging A Slitting Chisel
A slitting chisel is used to split rocks and other solid materials. You can forge one using a thick piece of a metal bar. Punch a hole in it, and then power hammer it into the shape of a chisel.
You’ll need to anneal it to give it strength. Attach a handle to it and grind it to provide it with an elegant finish.
Making A Pickaroon
A pickaroon is a woodworking tool with a pointy edge and a wooden handle. You can forge one using a metal bar.
Punch a hole in it using a power hammer and hammer one edge into shape. Bend the edge as needed and attach the handle in the hole.
Conclusion
Many blacksmiths stick to one or two projects and don’t try something new. Some are afraid that they might lose profits if they go out of their way, and some don’t possess the skills to even start with.
Depending on a single item is not a good idea. You should keep learning new stuff and look out for the perfect opportunity to cash it.
Even if you’re a beginner, its preferable to get your hands dirty by trying out various projects.
The projects mentioned above are exciting and knowledgeable. The more skills you have as a blacksmith, the more quality and quantity of work you can offer to your clients.
Why? Contemporary blacksmithing is all about that artistic touch you can bring into your projects.
Be sure to try these out.