The Best Gas Forges for Knife Making – [Top 7 Models]

If you’re a hobbyist with a passion for making knives, you’ve probably considered purchasing a knife making forge. After all, how cool is it to make your own knives? To do so, you must first acquire a forge for knife making.

Propane and coal are the most commonly-used fuel types used to power forges in general (Source).  fuels used in blacksmith forges. We expand on this below.

The benefits of a gas forge for knife making include the fact that they use clean-burning fuel, like propane or natural gas. Burning these are cheap, clean fuel sources–propane, in particular—helps minimize air pollution (Source). They also burn efficiently, minimizing fuel loss and saving you money in the process.

Key Features to Consider Before Buying

• Even heat distribution
• The ability to burn propane or natural gas in the same forge
• A reliable spark ignition switch
• Easy-to-use heat regulators
• Ceramic fiber lining to increase your forge’s longevity
• Size: If you’re only making knives, you don’t need a large forge, but if you’re making long knives (swords) you’ll want a model with a larger heating chamber

Below we’ll explain the intricacies of using a knife making forge. Then, we’ll answer commonly asked questions, provide a forge review for our top seven picks, and offer guidance to help you select the best gas forge.

The Best Knife Making Forge: Comparing Our Top Seven Picks

Further below, we’ll provide a forge review for each of these picks. First, though, we’ll give you a sneak peek at the top seven picks in the order we ranked them.

Ranking Order

1. Portable Propane Triple Burner Knife and Tool Making Forge [By Simond Store]
2. MAX Propane Forge Double Burner Unit [By Hell’s Forge]
3. Portable Propane Single Burner Knife Making Forge [By Hell’s Forge]
4. Portable Propane Double Burner Large Capacity Knife Making Forge [By Hell’s Forge]
5. Double Burner Propane Oval Knife Making Forge [By Simond Store]
6. NC Whisper Momma Atmospheric Forge [By NC Whisper Momma]
7. Blacksmiths Single Burner Propane Forge with Stand [By Simond Store]

How Does A Gas Forge Work?

A gas knife making forge uses propane or natural gas as its fuel source. That gas heats an enclosed chamber that’s typically shaped like a cylinder or an elongated rectangular box.

You ignite the heating source and open valves so air can flow through. This creates a bigger fire and reduces heating time. Internal insulation lining prevents cracks in your chamber caused by excessive heat.

When the temperature reaches your desired level, you place metal inside the chamber, form and mold it with specialized tools. Once you’re satisfied with its form, remove it, turn your forge off, and cool it using one of the methods described below.

Our Comparison Chart

Reviews: Our Top Seven Picks

Nearly all of the knife making forges below share certain common features and characteristics. For example, each one is a propane knife forge, although some can also use natural gas as a fuel source. Six out of seven are lined with ceramic fiber insulation to prevents the chamber’s shell from overheating and cracking.

However, they each have their strong and weak points, which is why we need a complete forge review for each model. Let’s dig in, starting with our number one pick: Simond Store’s Portable Propane Triple Burner Knife and Tool Making Forge.

1. Portable Propane Triple Burner Knife and Tool Making Forge [By Simond Store]

Simond Store, along with Hell’s Forge, are almost certainly the two most popular knife making forge producers in the market.

After hours of research, we determined that the Portable Propane Triple Burner Knife and Tool Making Forge, by Simond Store, deserves the top spot on our list. We’ll explain why.

First of all, it is made by a trusted company with a great reputation for high-quality production—even though the company is only five years old.

Second, its rectangular chamber form makes it an ideal gas forge for small projects. Plus, it is most commonly used to heat and bend metals, and the heat treatment and tempering of small knives.

Third, its fuel pressure connection is compatible with and fits fuel line infrastructure in various countries. These include the United States, Canada, Australia, Norway, Israel, Finland, Sweden, and New Zealand. This illustrates the brand’s global reach, which is impressive after only five years. As far as gas knife making forges go, this is, in our humble opinion, the best propane forge you can find.

Additional Specs and Features

• Forge Body Construction: 16 Gauge (1.5mm) stainless steel SS-304 metal sheets
• Forge Internal Dimension: 4.8” x 4.8” x 24”
• Door Structure: Without door
• Hose: 2 meters
• Forge Insulation: 1” thick refractory ceramic fiber
• Floor Insulation: 1” thick refractory ceramic fiber and refractory fire brick
• Weight: 43 pounds
• Dimensions: 30” x 16” x 16”
• Gas Pressure Regulator with Manometer (0-21 PSI)

2.  MAX Propane Forge Double Burner Unit [By Hell’s Forge]

Hell’s Forge, along with Simond Store, is one of the best and well-known forge brands on the market. The MAX Propane Forge Double Burner Unit is relatively lightweight. However, it packs a hell of a punch for its weight. It’s one of the largest forges on the list, which makes it a perfect choice for those sword enthusiasts out there.

The forge is made of stainless steel, has two burners, and features a vertical firing system. Its internal floor/base is lined with fire bricks, which we’ll discuss below. That, combined with its one-inch-thick ceramic fiber insulation make this a powerful yet safe forge for projects large and small.

Additional Specs and Features

• Finish: 2300+ degree ceramic exterior commercial paint
• Shape: Square
• Thickness: 0.13 inches
• Power Source: Propane
• Hose Length: 48 inches
• Inside Diameter: 19” x 6” x 4.25” inches
• Outside Diameter: 8” x 8” x 19” inches
• Number of Handles: 1

3. Portable Propane Single Burner Knife Making Forge [By Hell’s Forge]

Another model by Hell’s Forge, this knife making forge has a single barrel, is lightweight at 24 pounds, yet still reaches maximum temperatures of around 2,300 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s relatively small, making it a great portable knife making forge for any knife making hobbyist.

Users tout this knife forge as being very easy to assemble, delivering even heat distribution, and burning propane in a very economical way, saving you money and reducing air pollution. It’s small size and ease of use make it a great beginner forge for those who are just starting to get their feet wet.

Moreover, because of its size, it heats up very quickly and also cools quicker than most knife forges. One user reported that it was their first forge and with no prior experience, they assembled it in less than five minutes. That user called it a “must-buy beginner forge,” and we agree.

Additional Specs and Features

• Dimensions: 10” x 8.8” x 8.1”
• Color: Black
• Finish: 3,000-degree ceramic exterior commercial paint
• Material: 1/8″ rolled form steel body
• Shape: Oval
• Thickness: 0.13 inches
• Power Source: Propane
• Hose Length: 48 inches

4. Portable Propane Double Burner Large Capacity Knife Making Forge [By Hell’s Forge]

Just like the other Hell’s Forge models on this list, the Double Burner Large Capacity Knife Making Forge is made in the United States, which is a draw for many knife enthusiasts.

Two of this knife making forge’s strongest selling points are that its double burner configuration, oval design, and vertical firing system facilitate very even heat distribution for a more even firing.

It reaches a temperature of over 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit, which allows you to fire multiple types of metal, including gold, copper, silver, brass, bronze, aluminum, magnesium, alloys, tin, stainless steel, steel or lead.

Assembly is quick and easy, normally taking five minutes or less to set it up and start using it. And it typically fires right up on the first attempt, making it a very dependable forge.

Additional Specs and Features

• Large (19″ x 6.75” x 3.5″) size provides maximum workspace, and ideal exposure to the flame’s “sweet spot”
• Includes container of HELLCOAT 3000 Refractory Coating (that you apply)
• 1″ high density rigid coated extended life ceramic fiber insulation
• Two full-size, thick (9″ x 4.5” x 1.25″) fire bricks for the chamber floor
• Weight: 22.1 pounds
• Color: Black
• Finish: 2,300+ degree ceramic exterior commercial paint
• Material: Steel
• Shape: Oval
• Thickness: 0.13 inches
• Power Source: Propane

5. Double Burner Propane Oval Knife Making Forge [By Simond Store]

We like to call this model, “The Oval.” Its oval design makes it perfect for smaller projects like forging knives. It excels at the heating and bending of metals. It is also known to be one of, if not the best propane forge for tempering and heat treatment of small knives.

If you want to forge knives exclusively, this is perhaps the best choice for you because:

1) It can reach a heat of over 2,600 degrees Fahrenheit, which is impressive given its smaller size.

2) with a price tag of around $230, it’s the cheapest model on our list. It delivers the best value for the money out of all the picks on our list.

Finally, like other Simond Store forges, its fuel pressure connection is compatible with and fits fuel line infrastructure in various countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, Norway, Israel, Finland, Sweden, and New Zealand.

Additional Specs and Features

• Burner: Double Burner
• Burner Nozzle Material: SS-304
• Forge Body Construction: 16 gauge (1.5 mm) steel metal sheets
• Forge Internal Dimension: 4.4″ x 6.3″ x 18″
• Height with Brick: 3.15″ (80 mm)
• Forge Insulation: 1” thick refractory ceramic fiber of 2600°F 10#
• Floor Insulation: 1” thick refractory ceramic fiber and rigid block of refractory fire brick

6. NC Whisper Momma Atmospheric Forge [By NC Whisper Momma]

For those of you who are new to knife making and forging in general, NC Whisper’s Atmospheric Forge is a perfect choice. Its construction is made of high-quality materials that increase its durability and longevity.

It is relatively small, allowing for easy storage and transportation of the forge. With high-intensity burners, this forge reaches temperatures of 2,600 degrees Fahrenheit and features remarkably even heat distribution. Plus, you can use either propane or natural gas with this model.

In fact, its burners are one of the features that users appreciate most about the Atmospheric Forge. It’s a bit more expensive at $650. But, as they say, you get what you pay for. The quality of its design, it’s heavy-duty construction, and the materials used to construct it make is one of the most solid, hardworking knife forges available.

Additional Specs and Features

• Quick cooling for faster project completion
• Forge Weight: 45 pounds
• Dimensions: 21 x 21 x 16 inches
• Material: Steel

7. Blacksmiths Single Burner Propane Forge with Stand [By Simond Store]

Rounding out our list is another forge model from Simond Store. It is a single burner, propane knife forge with a heat capacity of 2,600 degrees Fahrenheit. Plus, it comes with a metal holding stand for easier access.

It’s lined with one-inch thick, high-density ceramic fiber insulation and features a fire brick floor for maximum heat conservation. It also comes with a comparatively high tensile strength—which we’ll describe below—and can withstand a direct flame.

And just like other Simond Store forges, its gas pressure regulation connection is compatible with all of the countries we listed above for other Simond Store models.

Additional Specs and Features

• Material: 1/8″ thick structural square steel pipe
• Burner Nozzle Material: SS-304
• Inside Floor: 1″ thick refractory brick
• Inside Insulation Material: 1″ thick refractory ceramic fiber
• Forge Internal Dimensions: 2.75″ x 4″ x 10″

How Do I Use a Gas Forge to Make a Knife?

First, you ignite your forge’s heating source and set the temperature using the forge’s temperature gauge. This heats the internal chamber to your preferred temperature.

Next, you place your metal into the chamber and wait while it heats up. Stainless steel—the best metal for knife making—becomes malleable at around 2,000 to 2,300 degrees.

As the metal softens, you use specialized tools to form it into the size and shape you want.

Then, you remove and cool the formed knife. Once it is fully cooled, your knife is ready to use.

NOTE: Don’t forget to turn your forge off once you extract your formed knife for cooling.

Gas Knife Making Forge Buyer Information

Here, we’ll provide you with some valuable information and variables to consider when shopping around for your own knife forge.

Insulation

How think is the internal lining of the forge you’re evaluating? What’s it made of? You want a forge with thick, ceramic fiber insulation and a fire brick chamber floor.

These things are important because they prevent cracks in the external housing of the forge. Plus, the more insulation your forge has, the less likely you are to accidentally burn yourself by touching it.

Fuels Used in Blacksmith Forges

Blacksmiths, including knife makers, use various types of fuel to power their forges. Let’s quickly cover the most common fuel types.

Propane & Natural Gas

Blacksmiths and forging enthusiasts increasingly opt for a gas forge that burns either natural gas, propane, or both. These gasses burn cleaner, reduce heat loss, and make it easier to control the heat inside your forge chamber. But they require a gas-powered forge, which you normally have to purchase.

Coal & Coke

Coal burns more efficiently than wood and charcoal, which we’ll cover below. Coal also burns hotter, quieter, and more efficiently than propane or natural gas, while emitting less carbon dioxide.

NOTE: Gas-burning forges can’t be used to burn coal or coke. These fuels require a different type of forge that doesn’t have gas tubes and pressure gauges. The same type of forge can also burn wood and charcoal.

The downsides to burning coal include:

• It is dirtier than gas and emits smoke and soot, which cover your skin and clothing.
• Unless you’re in Kentucky, coal is difficult to find. It’s a finite resource with declining demand.
• Coal-burning forges require more expertise to operate.

Coke is a byproduct of burnt coal. As coal burns, gasses, oils, and tars burn off, leaving coke, which is almost pure carbon. Coke is porous, has few impurities, and is primarily used for iron ore smelting. But it can also be used in a knife making forge.

Wood & Charcoal

Many traditionally minded blacksmiths and hobbyists swear by wood. And wood is a renewable resource and can be replenished in your workshop very cheaply. It burns cleaner than coal and coke. Plus, wood ash has beneficial applications in your garden, unlike coal ash.

There is wood everywhere and you can use virtually any type of wood to fire a forge. For example, in Nicaragua, the vast majority of blacksmiths exclusively use pine bark as their fuel source.

Burnt wood slowly transforms into charcoal, then into ash. You can fill your forge with wood, and it will burn until it’s transformed into charcoal, which then keeps burning. So, you don’t use wood or charcoal. They are both part of the same process. It’s the charcoal that produces the intense heat required to weld metal.

Safety Precautions

It’s always important to follow standard safety precautions when working with a forge of any kind. A few important safety precautions include:

• Always use common sense and be careful.
• Gas forges can be dangerous when they are not used properly. Otherwise, you run the risk of causing serious burns, explosions, or worse.
• Use your forge in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhalation of toxic gasses
• Move flammable items away from the forge.
• Never leave your forge unattended when lit.
• Always keep a fire extinguisher nearby, just in case.
• Wear top-quality protection equipment like rugged boots, safety goggles, gloves, and so on.

Cooling Methods

There are various methods for cooling the knife or other tool you just forged. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. It’s important to do your research and read about each method to determine which will work best for you and your process.

Cooling methods include:

• Annealing
• Normalizing
• Stress Relieving
• Quenching
• Tempering

Tensile Strength

Tensile strength refers to the maximum amount of stress and pressure a given material can withstand while being bent or stretched, without breaking. Tensile strength is an important knife making feature to keep in mind.

Tensile strength is often calculated by measuring pounds per square inch (PSI). So, a steel alloy that can withstand 20,000 pounds of force per square inch would be expressed as 20,000 PSI. We suggest you research tensile strength before purchasing a forge.

Commonly Asked Questions About Gas Forges

Hopefully, at this point, we’ve answered most of your questions about using a gas knife making forge. But, for good measure, here are two additional questions and answers to help you on your way:

How Do I Light A Gas Forge?

Lighting your gas forge is fairly easy and straight forward. Simply follow these steps:

If your forge has a built-in ignition switch:

• Turn the burner valve to the “Off” position.
• Open the propane or natural gas tank by turning the swivel knob counterclockwise.
• Now, turn the burner valve to the “On” position.
• Flip the ignition switch on and the forge will fire up.

If you don’t have an ignition switch:

• Place a piece of wadded-up up newspaper in the burn chamber.
• Light that newspaper with long matches.
• Once the paper is burning, step away from the forge and gently open your gas tank by turning the swivel knob.

How Do I Turn My Gas Forge Off?

Again, turning a forge off is easy and straightforward. Simply follow the instructions below.

• Set the burner tap to the “Off” position.
• Close the gas tank by turning the swivel knob clockwise.
• Open your burner tap. This releases the remaining gas in the pipe.
• Carefully remove your forge’s burner from the forge itself.
• Then, sit back and wait for your forge to slowly cool off.

Purchase the Best Knife Making Forge for Your Needs

We’ve walked you through the process of using a gas-powered forge to make knives. We explained how they work and variables to consider while shopping around. And we provided tips to help you select the right forge for your needs.

Plus, we reviewed the top seven picks—after hours of research and gas forge comparisons. Moreover, we explained various important aspects of gas forges to ensure you stay safe while using yours and are able to purchase one that lasts a long time.

Although other brands such as NC Whisper Momma, there is no debate around the fact that the best two brands of knife forges are Hell’s Forge and Simond Store. We suggest you evaluate those brands’ models first and go from there.

Do your research and due diligence and you’ll find the right forge and be making your own awesome knives in no time.