Blacksmithing is one of the odd professions that allows a skilled craftsman to make the tools necessary for their job. Basically, a blacksmith could be making the tools today that they will be using tomorrow to make more tools for another job. This is a cycle that can repeat itself over and over. Sort of a chicken and egg situation. Which came first, the blacksmith or his tools?
The only other profession that does this sort of thing that pops into my head are computer games designers. Because what they do is so bleeding edge, they can't just buy the tools they need to build their games. They first have to build the software they need, and then use that software to build their games. Kind of a funny mix of professions don't you think? Blacksmithing is so old and steeped in ancient traditions, yet games designing is so full of 20 something pimple faced geeks. These two groups are likely even hardly aware that the other exists. Anyway, I digress.
Black And Decker Drill Set
What I wanted to talk a little about is the tools used by the average blacksmith. At the very heart of any blacksmith shop is the forge. Usually either a gas forge, or a coal forge. Coal forges have been around since the earliest days of blacksmithing. They still exist. Partially from tradition and partially from the fact that in the hands of a skilled craftsman a coal forge is a more versatile source of heat. Coal is however dirty, and unhealthy to be around for long periods of time. It also requires a little more practice to control. Gas forges, while being perhaps less traditional, offer a cleaner burn and a quicker learning curve for the novice blacksmith.
There is a plethora of other tools used by a working blacksmith. They include anvils, hammers, thongs, hold down, swages, fullers, and workbenches.