Blog - Page 2 of 28 - Brown County Forge

Looking for a blacksmith starter kit with exactly what you need and nothing you don’t?

You’re in luck!

I talk about the basics of blacksmithing every week in class at Brown County Forge.

We go over skills and techniques, but spend real time talking about essential equipment. That’s what we’ll cover in this post and where to buy it.

For your own kit, you have two great options:

Option 1: Work with us to configure a kit that works best for you. Get your new blacksmith starter kit shipped directly to you. Pricing includes name brand equipment and material to get started. We take care of all the details so you can start forging faster.
Option 2: Go the DIY route and use the resources below to build your own.

OPTION 1: Have a Professional Kit Shipped to You

NC Tool Co Whisper Baby Forge - Starter Kit - Brown County Forge

The starter kits we provide include:

Single or Double Burner Gas Forge – A single burner option pictured above from NC Tool Company. Other options include Atlas Forge’s single burner forges and Forgemaster forges.
69 lb. – 150 lb. Anvil – Happy to discuss pricing on sizes and different brands. Atlas, NC Tool Company, Texas Farrier Supply, and more.
2 – 3 pound Cross Peen Blacksmith’s Hammer
Wolf Jaw Tongs
Access to Professional Blacksmiths for help with questions and tips.
Optional: Safety glasses, hearing protection, aprons, steel bar stock.

Contact us to discuss your kit and pricing!

Email: browncountyforge@gmail.com

Option 2: The DIY Option

The equipment you need to get started blacksmithing comes down to 4 items:

Forge – How you heat the metal.
Anvil – Where you shape the metal.
Hammer – What you shape the metal with.
Tongs – How you hold the metal.

How Much Should a Kit Cost?

Let’s break down the items in the DIY blacksmith starter kit by price.

Forge – From $160.50 (free shipping) to $375 (plus shipping)

Blacksmith Starter Kit - Brown County Forge

Your forge will be one of the most expensive pieces to buy.

The forge I use is the Knifemaker Economy forge by Majestic Forge (seen above).

It costs $375 (the price recently went up $50) and ships for around $50 depending on how far you live from Sugar Grove, Ohio.

Why I like it:

Two burners – It gets up to heat quickly.
Compact – It doesn’t take up a lot of space.
Easy to set up – Takes about 10 minutes right out of the package.
Ships fast – I ordered it on a Tuesday and had it 2-3 days later.

A second, less expensive option is this Double Burner from Laredo Blacksmiths:

2 Burners
$160.50 (price recently reduced by $23) with Free U.S. shipping
Compact size for easy setup and storage.
See more details, testimonials, and reviews on eBay
As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase through the above link.

Anvil – $345 – $450+ (varies by retailer)

Hammer and Anvils - Brown County Forge

The anvil I use in the shop is a 70 pound NC Tool Company brand anvil.

I own two of them and they’re each responsible for thousands of projects.

Why I like them:

Movable – You can move one of them on your own. No need to call a friend.
Inexpensive – At under $350 or $5 per pound, it’s a great deal.
Durable – Mine have seen heavy student use over the years.

Hammer – $28 – $35

Your hammer really doesn’t need to cost a whole lot.

If you find a hammer that weighs between 2 and 3 pounds at a flea market or yard sale for a dollar, buy it.

Your main concern is overall weight and then handle length preference.

For my money, and the hammer I use every day, I go with a 2.5-pound Vaughan Cross Peen. I bought the one you see above on Amazon for $28 in 2011.

I could lose all of my other equipment, but if I lost that hammer I’d be very sad.

Tongs – $40.50

I use Centaur Forge’s 3/8-inch V-Bit Bolt Tongs nearly every day.

They’re good all around tongs useful for flat stock, square bar, and round bar.

Total Kit Cost (before shipping): $574 – $984.94

Where to Buy Each Item

Your Laredo Blacksmiths forge can be securely purchased on eBay through the photo and link above.

For the Majestic Forge double burner forge I use professionaly, go to: majesticforge.com.

For a great single burner I use at home, go to Atlas Knife and Tool: atlasknife.com

Your anvil should be purchased from Centaur Forge to get the best price on shipping – centaurforge.com.

The hammer can be picked up at these blacksmith suppliers:

BlacksmithsDepot.com

BlacksmithSupply.com

CentaurForge.com

Your tongs will come straight from Centaur Forge as well – centaurforge.com.

Want to Learn How to Use It All?

I’m happy to answer any questions you might have: browncountyforge@gmail.com

Cheers!

Terran Marks – owner, Brown County Forge

How Much Do Anvils Cost in 2025?

Anvils usually go up in value over time. The same anvils I purchased in 2015 and 2016 for $280 a piece, now go for $450.

These anvils, made by NC Tool Company, are high quality, lighter weight anvils that sit at the bottom of the mid-range for anvil price.

Blacksmith Terms - Brown County Forge - Terran Marks

In fact, their low cost and durability were the main factors in my decision to purchase two of them.

I use them weekly in classes at the shop and for forging ironwork for customers.

Anvil Prices Range from $70 up to $2575

At the low end, you’re going to find cast iron anvils from Harbor Freight and similar companies.

At the top end, you’ll find small anvil manufacturers like Nimba Anvils in Port Townsend, Washington.

In the middle, you will find some great anvils from Atlas Knife and Tool, NC Tool Company, Texas Farrier Supply, and others.

Why the big difference in price?

Quality
Size
Production capabilities

Lightweight Harbor Freight anvils are mass-produced with heavy machinery.

Atlas Knife and Tool has a line of anvil designs that they subcontract to a factory in small batches.

Nimba Anvils are made one at a time in a small production facility.

*Prices come down when manufacturing can be done at-scale.

Should You Buy An Anvil On Facebook Marketplace?

Short answer: It depends.

In the current climate, blacksmithing is enjoying an upswing in popularity.

When a hobby or craft becomes popular, prices for associated items go up.

As prices go up, more sellers enter the market. Some of these sellers have dubious assets and even more dubious motives.

There may be some decent options on Marketplace, but proceed with caution.

There are better options than Facebook for purchasing anvils: Directly from a manufacturer or from respected retailers.

To Avoid Overpaying for Anvils Online:

Follow a rule of $7 per pound or less. For a 70-pound anvil, you want to pay under $490. You can absolutely do this. Atlas Knife and Tool sells their 69 pound Alec Anvil for under $300.
Adjust price based on the Age and Condition of the anvil.
1. If it’s old, but severely damaged (missing the tip of the horn, for example), I’m dropping my offer by a few hundred.
2. Some old anvils are worth the price based on their historic value alone.
Vet the seller as much as possible. Do they know what they’re selling?
Ask an expert: browncountyforge@gmail.com. It never hurts to ask someone with more experience.
Consider buying from reputable dealers like Centaur Forge, NC Tool Company, or Blacksmith’s Depot.

An Anvil is an Investment

An investment is an asset that appreciates in value over time.

Anvils do this in a couple ways:

The older they are and the better shape they’re in, the more valuable they’ll be.
Their value increases the more you use them and the better you get at blacksmithing.

You don’t need to spend more than a few hundred on an anvil.

The anvils I use today each cost $280. They have made thousands of projects to date and generated a full-time income for over 9 years.

That’s an amazing return on investment.

Conclusion: Anvil Costs Range, But Have a Sweet Spot

Aim to spend at least $250 – $400 on your anvil. NC Tool Company’s 70-pound anvil is the one I recommend to students every week.

You can buy directly from NC Tool Company: nctoolco.com

Or from Centaur Forge: centaurforge.com

I also currently use the Alec Anvil from Atlas: https://atlasknife.com/product/alec-anvil/

Want to Learn More About Blacksmithing?

I teach classes in Bloomington, Indiana and at client’s homes. Available by appointment.

For more information go to the Classes page.

Online blacksmithing classes are also available from world class instructors on the Online Classes page.