Beginner blacksmithing tools, costed - not guessed
Quick answer
ForgeStarter Tools helps new US blacksmiths spend smart. Our calculators show your real propane cost per hour, whether an anvil is fairly priced by the pound, and how much anvil your hammer needs - then point you to the right gear. Every pick is tied to a calculator result, not a generic top-ten list.
Start with a calculator
Propane Forge Cost Calculator
Real $/hour and hours-per-tank for your burner and tank.
Open tool →Anvil $/lb Rating
Paste any anvil price and see if it is a deal or a rip-off.
Open tool →Anvil Weight Calculator
How heavy an anvil you actually need for your hammer.
Open tool →Forging Temperature Chart
Working heat and glow colour for common steels.
Open tool →Forge Burner BTU Calculator
What size burner and BTU your forge chamber needs.
Open tool →Forge Insulation Calculator
Kaowool, rigidizer and firebrick to line your forge.
Open tool →Heat-Treat & Quench Calculator
Hardening temp, quench and temper colour by knife steel.
Open tool →Steel Bar Weight Calculator
Weight of round, square, flat and hex bar stock.
Open tool →Popular buying guides
Guides & comparisons
Why tool-first?
Most "best blacksmithing gear" pages are the same ranked list with affiliate links bolted on. We flipped it. Punch in your burner BTU, tank size and local refill price and the propane calculator tells you what an hour of forging actually costs - then it recommends a bigger tank or a manifold only if your numbers call for one.
Do the same for anvils: our $/lb rating turns any listing you find into a clear budget/mid/premium verdict, and the weight calculator stops you buying an anvil that is too light to be worth the shipping.