One of the projects on my summer list is to find the time to build a new forge. I'm happy enough with my two-brick one for heat treating my small blades. But I thought I'd like something a little bigger too, so I could maybe take a stab (no pun intended) at forging a fixed blade or two. So here's the question: Which do you think is a better overall forge, a vertical or a horizontal? I've heard a vertical is better if you're doing any welding, but I don't have any plans to make my own billets at present. I'd like to be able to heat-treat and learn how to do some basic blade forging. Any thoughts are appreciated.
Tim I have make a number of horizontal forge and one vertical forge. I much prefer the vertical because it heats more evenly and the burner flame is not blasting right on the steel.
Thanks for that. I've heard others also say there are fewer hotspots in a vertical. Another consideration for me is space. I think a vertical might take up less room (when not in use) in my cramped shop area. Have you ever run into problems with the size of the opening? The vertical forge will have a much smaller mouth than a horizontal. How would it handle something like a tomahawk or a small axe? (Just thinking ahead here.)
My current plan is for round. I'm thinking of something about 12 inches in diameter. Once I add the kaowool, it will leave about 8 inches of working space inside. That may change, depending on what I can find for the forge body.
Ed Caffrey uses a 12" forge also. His particular forge appears to be a horizontal design from what I've seen in his videos...
It's nice to be in good company! I may end up reducing the size as I go. Eight inches is a lot of space to heat and I don't want it to be too gas hungry.
I use both a vertical & a horizontal & I need both. It's hard to beat the vert for even heat, but when I'm using tongs for blacksmith projects or spike knives, I need a forge with a floor that I can lay the piece on while heating up. It's only one more weekend & a little more wool to build two. You can use the same burner.
I have been thinking along those lines myself. I'm going to focus on the vertical first, because I see it getting the most use for heat-treating and learning to forge. Space is at a premium in my workshop/garage but I figure I can squeeze in a small horizontal as well. I haven't had time to go looking for something to make the forges out of yet. However, I am currently tracking down some kaowool and itc-100.hone:
