The Blacksmith Toolbox consists of:
1. Anvils
2. Forges
3. Tongs
4. Hammers
5. Punches
6. Cone Mandrels
 
View the images below to learn more about each tool. Select the images to enlarge.

 

ANVILS

An anvil is an essential piece of equipment for blacksmiths. It is a sturdy block of iron used to form heated pieces of metal into particular shapes.

There are two popular types of anvils: London Pattern and European Style. 
Colour photo of a rusted London pattern anvil inside of a blacksmith shop. One end is square edged and the other end has a horned shaped extension.
London Pattern Anvil

Courtesy of Westfield Heritage Village.

Colour photo of a London pattern anvil with a chain wrapped around the base. One end is squared the other has a horn shaped extension.
London Pattern Anvil with a Chain

Courtesy of Fanshawe Pioneer Village.

London Pattern Anvil

The London Pattern anvil is the most popular anvil used by blacksmiths.
This type of anvil has a large flat face on one side which provides a nice surface for metalwork.
It has a pointed, horn-like end on the opposite side.
Colour photo of a rusted metal European style anvil. One end extends into a point and the other end had a horn shaped extension.
European Style Anvil

Courtesy of Adobe Stock Images.

European Style Anvil

The second most popular style of anvil used by blacksmiths is the European Style anvil.
The European Style anvil is different because it has a horn on each end of the anvil and has a wider base. 

FORGES

A forge is the heat source for the blacksmith.
There are two popular types of forges that blacksmiths use: Solid or coal forges and gas or propane forges.
Colour photo of brick coke or solid forge with a rusted metal enclosure containing blackened coke.
Solid or Coke Forge

Courtesy of Westfield Heritage Village.

Colour photo of coke or solid forge inside of a modern day blacksmithing studio. An intense flame is visible.
Solid or Coke Forge

Courtesy of Fleming College.

Solid or Coal Forges

Solid or coal forges are the most traditional and trustworthy forges used by blacksmiths.
They require material that can withstand high and steady temperatures such as coal, coke, charcoal, and wood.
Solid forges are favoured by a majority of blacksmiths because it burns quicker and reaches higher temperatures than propane forges.
On the other hand, solid forges can have an uneven distribution of heat.
As a result, blacksmiths must learn the best area in their forge to heat their pieces of metal.
Colour photo of propane or gas forge being used by an artist blacksmith student. Inside the forge a blue and orange flame is visible.
Propane or Gas Forge

Courtesy of Fleming College.

Colour photo of a close up shot of a propane gas forge in use. A metal bar is inserted inside the intense yellow flame of the forge.
Propane or Gas Forge

Courtesy of Fleming College.

Gas or Propane Forges

Gas or propane forges are a modern forge used by blacksmiths.
It is known to be beginner friendly compared to solid forges.
Propane forges are favoured by some blacksmiths because they are a cleaner option than solid forges: there is less smoke and clean up to be done.
They are more likely to have an even distribution of heat.
However, propane forges typically are unable to reach the same high temperatures as solid forges.
Propane forges are recommended for working on smaller projects.

TONGS

Blacksmiths use a wide variety of tongs in all shapes and sizes while they work.
Tongs are used to safely hold and work with hot pieces of metal.
Here is just a couple of their most used tongs in a blacksmith’s collection:
Colour photo of a rusted flat jaw tongs. The jaws of the tongs are flat and the handle is long. A wooden ruler sits above the tongs to illustrate the of approximately 50 cm.
Flat Jaw Tongs

Courtesy of Pickering Museum Village.

A colour photo of a rusted flat jaw tongs. The jaws of the tongs are flat and has a long handle.
Flat Jaw Tongs

Courtesy of Pickering Museum Village.

Flat Jaw Tongs

Flat jaw tongs are typically used when working with flat pieces of metal.
Their flat clamps are good to hold flat pieces of metal.
These tongs are often used in the beginning stages of forging.
Colour photo of rusted pick-up tongs on a metal table. The end of the tongs are circular in shape and has a long handle.
Pick-Up Tongs

Courtesy of Pickering Museum Village.

Colour photo of rusted pick-up tongs. The end of the tongs are circular in shape. An object identification tag is placed above the tongs.
Pick-Up Tongs

Courtesy of Pickering Museum Village.

Pick-Up Tongs

Pick-up tongs are used by blacksmiths to pick up rounded pieces of metal.
Their jaws are flattened and curved inwards, providing an almost perfect shape for picking up rods or rounded bits of metal.
Colour photo of wolf jaw tongs placed on a metal hinge next to a yellow handled hammer. The jaws of the tongs are jagged. The metal hinge rests on a tree stump.
Wolf Jaw Tongs

Courtesy of Adobe Stock Images.

Wolf Jaw Tongs

Wolf jaw tongs are the most universal used by blacksmiths.
They are great for picking up both flat pieces of metal as well as rounded pieces metal because of their jagged teeth.
Colour photo of rusted bent-knee tongs. The jaws are bent in a 90 degree angle. The tongs rest on concrete.
Bent-Knee Tongs

Courtesy of Pickering Museum Village.

Bent-Knee Tongs

Bent-knee tongs are amongst one of the most unique looking tongs in a blacksmith’s toolbox.
Their jaws are bent almost at a 90 degree angle.
These tongs allow a blacksmith to easily pick up a flat piece of metal from a lower height, and to pick up metal objects or forgings with hollow shapes.

HAMMERS

Hammers are another essential tool in a blacksmith’s toolbox.
Just like tongs, blacksmiths use a wide variety of hammers depending on their project.
Here is just a couple of their most used hammers:
Colour photo of a rusted ball-peen hammer with a wooden handle. One end of the hammer is shaped like a ball, while the other end is flat. The hammer rests on a concrete floor.
Ball-Peen Hammer

Courtesy of Pickering Museum Village.

Ball-Peen Hammer

The ball-peen hammer is one of the popular hammers by blacksmiths.
It is a great hammer for beginners.
It has a rounded, ball shaped face on one end, and a flat face on the other end.
This hammer is often use to flatten or stretch metal when struck.
Colour photo of a cross-peen hammer with a wooden handle. One end of the hammer extends into a wedge shape, and the other end is flat.
Cross-Peen Hammer

Courtesy of Adobe Stock Images.

Colour photo of a cross-peen hammer with a wooden handle on a wooden workbench. One end of the hammer extends into a wedge shape, and the other end is flat.
Cross-Peen Hammer

Courtesy of Fanshawe Pioneer Village.

Cross-Peen Hammer

The cross-peen hammer is another hammer popular amongst blacksmiths.
It has two different faces: one face is flat, similar to the ball-peen hammer, and the other end is shaped like a wedge.
The wedge side is known as the cross-peen.
With enough force, this end will widen a groove within metal move a piece of metal perpendicular to the cross-peen when struck.
Coloured photo of a rusted planishing hammer with a wooden handle. The hammer has two flat ends.
Planishing Hammer

Courtesy of Pickering Museum Village.

Planishing Hammer

The planishing hammer is a tool used to finish and polish a piece of metalwork.
One end has a rounded gauge, while the other end is flat.
Blacksmiths use this hammer to refine the outer surface of curved and flat forms by removing hammer marks.
Because this is a finishing hammer, the faces should be polish to a mirror finish.

PUNCHES

Colour photo of a rusted metal punch. One end tapers into a rounded point.
Punch

Courtesy of Pickering Museum Village.

Colour photo of a rusted metal punch. One side has a pointed end, while the other is flat.
Punch

Courtesy of Pickering Museum Village.

A punch is a metal tool that comes in many sizes and shapes.
A punch is a small piece of metal, with a narrow and pointed tip on one end and a flat, blunt tip on the opposite end.
The blacksmith requires a hammer to strike the blunt end of the punch in order to create a hole or design onto another piece of hot metal.
It is typically used to manually drill a hole in another piece of metal.
It can also be used to make an impression, a decorative pattern or design, or to create a guiding mark.

CONE MANDRELS

A cone mandrel is a handy tool blacksmiths use to create rings of all sizes.
Blacksmiths have the option to use the horn of an anvil to make and shape rings, but a cone mandrel allows the blacksmith to better define the size of a ring.
There are two main sizes of cone mandrels:
Colour photo of a big rusted floor cone mandrel. It is a tall and wide cone made from metal. It sits on the floor of a blacksmith shop, with other metal tools surrounding it.
Floor Cone Mandrel

Courtesy of Pickering Museum Village.

Colour photo of a big rusted floor cone mandrel. The cone is made from metal and is tall and wide. The cone mandrel sits on the floor of a blacksmith shop.
Floor Cone Mandrel

Courtesy of Pickering Museum Village.

Floor Cone Mandrels

Floor cone mandrels are the largest of the cone mandrels that blacksmiths use.
They are typically made out of cast iron and are hollow.
The floor cone mandrel is used for larger projects such as creating a metal tire ring or a large metal chain.
Colour photo of a rusted anvil cone mandrel. One end is flat and rectangular, intended to fit inside of a hardy hole on an anvil. The other end is shaped like a cone.
Anvil or Hardy Hole Cone Mandrel

Courtesy of Pickering Museum Village.

Anvil or Hardy Hole Cone Mandrel

An anvil cone mandrel is a smaller cone mandrel.
They sit in the hardy hole of an anvil.
They are typically used for smaller projects such as creating jewelry and small chains.