Auckland and New Zealand guide to forging and bladesmith suppliers.

Auckland and New Zealand guide to forging and bladesmith suppliers.

Auckland and New Zealand guide to forging and bladesmith suppliers. 

After 7 years of Blacksmithing I have found myself continuously searching through Facebook, forums or discussion boards and exchanging with other local smiths about where they source their materials, tools and other supplies. With New Zealand's small market, finding some supplies can sometimes be challenging. This is an attempt at a consolidated list of the best suppliers of Blacksmithing materials in Auckland and New Zealand. This will be a living document. I welcome suggestions and can update the list as required. I have also added some guidance notes for beginners about the types of things I look for when purchasing equipment. 

Although I’ll suggest lots of places you can purchase things here, I encourage blacksmiths starting out to experiment with their own builds. There are heaps of tutorials online for building your own forge, presses, linishers etc. You could  save a lot of money and learn lots in the process about what’s really important and what things you can skimp when you decide to upgrade. But I can't stress this enough, do research thoroughly.  Hopefully this guide will save you some time by pointing you in the direction of blog posts, things I have found the most helpful and finally where to buy supplies for those projects. 

Hammers, Tongs and Anvils 

Anvils
You can obviously hunt on TradeMe for London pattern anvils or the like, however the demand for second hand anvils has skyrocketed in recent years. Supply-demand economics has seen huge price increases making purchasing and transporting one likely too expensive for hobbyists (~$20kg). It's worth noting, the condition of these second-hand anvils is variable. Often with considerable damage to the face. Chipping and cracking is also common. Take care to properly assess what you are buying. 

In good news. Some new, decent quality small anvils have recently started being imported into the country. These are fairly priced (~$10 - 12/kg). The ones from Loven Tools would be my recommendation. In terms of sizing, for most hobby Blacksmiths 25 kg will be a perfectly appropriate size. 

If the budget is tight. Another option worth considering is any steel surface. Mild steel or a small train track will be adequate as you are establishing. For a striking anvil I have purchased a mild steel 100 x 280 x 50 with a hardy hole and drifting slot laser cut. This was $110. Eventually they will become unusable and the edges will damage quickly but it's a great starting point. I have also had a swage block custom made for <$500

Artisan Supplies - Gameco
Sell a post anvil, 1045 - 100 x 100 x 500. 
https://www.artisansupplies.co.nz 

Loven Tools, trading as techno total safe on Trademe.
https://www.trademe.co.nz/stores/TOTALSAFE-NZ
https://loventools.com/

One Stop Cutting Shop 
https://www.onestopcuttingshop.co.nz/
For laser cutting striking anvils or mild steel swage blocks

Hammers
For your first hammer I recommend a good starting hammer weight is somewhere between 2 - 3lb. Get something with a wooden handle - they look way cooler. More or less flat faced. Anything marketed as drilling, club or sledge that meets these specifications is probably fine. 

A quick Google search found one with all of these specifications on special for $45. VAUGHAN 3 LB.Double face hammer with hickory handle. Eventually you'll want some more specific hammers. For custom hammers you get in touch with myself or check out the range from Shea at Stackhouse or Mercer Industries.

The Solo Blacksmith 
https://soloblacksmith.com/products/blacksmith-tools

Stackhouse Knives 
https://www.stackhouseknives.co.nz/shop?category=Equipment+and+supplies

Mercer Industries
https://www.mercerindustriesnz.com/

Tongs

You will likeIy need several pairs of tongs to hold a wide range of materials I suggest you learn to make them early, because you can. You can organise a class with me if you need to learn the basics. However, if you like to purchase a pair try figure what you'll be forging most and pick a style provides the greatest support of the material and flexibility with what it holds. I believe flat jaws are dangerous as they don’t support the piece from movements in one direction and with rotation to a vertical position it is completely unsupported.

Artisan supplies
https://www.artisansupplies.com.au/page/1/?s=tongs&post_type=product&dgwt_wcas=1

The Solo Blacksmith 
https://soloblacksmith.com/products/blacksmith-tools

Stackhouse Knives 
https://www.stackhouseknives.co.nz/shop?category=Equipment+and+supplies

Grinders and abrasives 

Linishers
Good belt grinders/linishers are expensive and generally you get what you pay for in this category. 

Newt knives and tools limited
Deon Nieuwoudt -  Made in West Auckland, New Zealand 
https://newtknives.myshopify.com/

Machinery house.co.nz
For new linishers and belts, check out
https://www.machineryhouse.co.nz/linishers

Artisan supplies - Gameco
https://www.artisansupplies.com.au/product-category/knife-making-supplies/knifemaking-belt-and-disc-grinder-parts-and-accessories/

Abrasives

Euromarc
https://www.euromarc.co.nz/ 
Sell a huge range of cutting discs & linishing belts 

Millin
https://www.millin.co.nz/sanding-belts/abrasives/

Artisan supplies - Gameco
https://www.artisansupplies.com.au/product-category/knife-making-supplies/abrasives-knife-making-supplies/

Bay engineers supplies
For cubitron belts (they have 2x48 in stock but you have to email them).
https://www.bayengineerssupplies.co.nz/

Big boy tools

When it comes to large forging tools we mostly have to look off-shore unless you plan to make your own.

Australia Forging presses
https://www.artisansupplies.com.au/product/12-tonne-bs-hydraulic-forging-press/

Anyang is one of few suppliers to ship new power hammers in New Zealand. If you are in the market for one, get in touch with Bruce Beamish

Anyang Hammers Australia
bruce@anyangaustralia.com.au
https://www.anyangaustralia.com.au/

Steel 

Special Steels & Metals Ltd - (Viking Steels Ltd)
https://www.ssm.co.nz/
Auckland and Christchurch. Special steels supply a comprehensive range of high-performance steels and metals

Steel cuts
https://steelcuts.co.nz/
For general mild steels, Steel cuts offer flat, round and square cut to length at reasonable prices

Wakefield metals 
https://www.wakefieldmetals.co.nz/
A huge range of non-ferrous metals including the brass round bar and flat which I use for knife making

NZ Hobby Metals
Sells short lengths
https://www.nzhobbymetals.com/?store-page=2

Steel and Tube
I have found the most reliable in customer service and fast delivery for full (6m) lengths of mild steels and some medium carbon steels.
https://steelandtube.co.nz/

Artisan Supplies - Gameco 
https://www.artisansupplies.com.au/product-category/knife-making-supplies/knife-and-blade-steels/

Some other options are: Heat treatments Limited, United Steel

Forge

To start out, I suggest a gas forge. Ultimately it will be the most turnkey solution to getting you forging. Gas forges are relatively cheap to buy or easy to build from off the shelf components, fit for most small tool and knife making applications, economical to run, won't require venting or extraction and gas forges need less preheating time and fire management than coal so you can get stuck into your projects faster. Even if you intend later to do forge welding or large projects that might better suit a coal forge. Getting your forging skills developed first in a smaller gas forge will be useful. 

Induction forges are great and easy to use but are complicated bits of kit to set up, aren't as versatile, and need a workshop with the correct infrastructure including high amp outlets. 

Commercial 
Gas Forges
https://gasforges.co.nz/

Stackhouse Forge kit 
https://www.stackhouseknives.co.nz/shop/forgekit

Induction forge

I bought mine from L & Lee international. However, I don't recommend buying the water pump with this unit.
http://llee.co.nz/

Build your own 
If you are building your own forge you can purchase burner units bricks, refractory cement and kaowool 

Artisan supplies Gameco
https://www.artisansupplies.com.au/product-category/blacksmithing-metalsmithing-and-jewellery-supplies/forge-refractory-supplies/

Thermal solutionz
https://thermalnz.co.nz/products.html

Brick and cobble. 
https://www.brickandcobblefactory.co.nz/

Shingawa Refactory 
http://www.shinagawa.com.au/products/

Good forums and information channels

New Zealand Blacksmith & Knifemakers
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1454119454901939/

I forge Iron forum
https://www.iforgeiron.com/

Overseas suppliers - Honorable mentions 

Nordic Edge
https://nordicedge.com.au/
Hold a range of products in every category previously mentioned. Shipping might be more expensive. Worth a look. 

Pop's Knife Supply
All things knife-making
https://popsknife.supplies/

Brisa - Finland
All things knife-making
https://www.brisa.fi/

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1 comment

Morning , nice information on your site thanks.
Do you please have a supplier for brass knife handle rivets?

Emma

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