Atlas forge purchase

T

tteichmer78

Joined
Dec 22, 2016
Messages
29
Good evening.

Well I want to get a forge.

Upon a recommendation from Stacy to look at the Atlas Graham I did.
Sad too say it is not in stock. There knife maker forge is in stock.

I have never been around a forge and know nothing about them.
What is the size of knife that you can realistically make in this forge?
And could you do pattern welding with it.

2.5 inch diameter seems small but I don't have any experience to say that it would be.

Any help would be appreciated

Thanks
 
The Atlas Mini can forge weld smaller pattern welded billets (for one regular, or two smaller knives at a time). It is very economical to use as it sips gas. I have made knives up to 14" long with mine and love it, but it does have limitations.
Email Charles the owner regarding the availability of the Graham, he's a very nice guy and makes a super-nice forge for a great price.
 
I just purchased a NC Tool Lowboy (also a recommendation from Stacy in my case). In fact, it just showed up in the mail yesterday. I haven't used it yet but I can say that I am impressed with the build. Gonna put it together today. Can't say anything about the operation yet except that I've done a fair amount of research and came down between the Graham and this. The Lowboy is a little more expensive but from what I've read, and from some valued advice from Stacy, I took the plunge. I've also heard really great things about the Atlas Graham in my research and if you can get it in a reasonable time then seems like you will do well to have it. You might look the Lowboy up as well. Good Luck.
 
The NC Lowboy is a great all around forge. You can do knives, swords, blacksmithing, horseshoes, etc. in it. It is my daily forge and has sat in my open side smithy for 20 years with no problems. If it died tomorrow, I would order one right away. It costs a bit more than the Atlas Graham, but is much more forge for the money.
 
Well I have thought about this all day.

My two choices are the Atlas mini.
Or the Mathewson knifesmith

Could probably get the swordsmith in the Mathewson


Reasons that I am tempted with the Atlas.
Good reviews. Support of a forum member.
I see them in pictures and videos that I am watching. Small size and opening should be efficient

Cons small opening.

Mathewson
Pros
Larger opening and a brick bottom. Forge welding.
 
Yes, I'm a little biased, but these are the differences as I see them.

Mathewson makes a small blacksmith forge. It has a straight-on burner which will result in hot/cold spots in the forge when heat treating. It has an very big chamber, most of which is wasted space for knife making. It is made from mild steel and will eventually rust over time. No tool rest.

The Atlas is a true knife maker forge. The burner is angle front-to-back, as well as swirling around the chamber. This will give a more even chamber heat, which is of benefit to knife makers. It has a smaller chamber and use a fraction of the propane, lasting 14 hours on a single 20lb. tank of propane. It is made of stainless steel, so it won't rust. It has a sliding, stainless tool rest.
 
Atlas Knife Company said:
Yes, I'm a little biased, but these are the differences as I see them.

Mathewson makes a small blacksmith forge. It has a straight-on burner which will result in hot/cold spots in the forge when heat treating. It has an very big chamber, most of which is wasted space for knife making. It is made from mild steel and will eventually rust over time. No tool rest.

The Atlas is a true knife maker forge. The burner is angle front-to-back, as well as swirling around the chamber. This will give a more even chamber heat, which is of benefit to knife makers. It has a smaller chamber and use a fraction of the propane, lasting 14 hours on a single 20lb. tank of propane. It is made of stainless steel, so it won't rust. It has a sliding, stainless tool rest.
Click to expand...
Can you say "but wait there's more" please
 
But wait, there's more. . .In full transparency, the Mathewson/hell's forge/devil forge design is far superior at blacksmithing. It's almost impossible to forge a horseshoe in an Atlas, but no problem in one of those. . . :)
 
Decided that I am going to get the atlas
If the Graham is going to be available soon I would wait for one.
 
I like my Atlas. Granted, it's the only forge I've ever used, haha. But it suits my needs for now and takes up very little space in my tiny shop. But if I did ever find the need to get a larger forge I'd keep the Atlas around for reasons noted above. It sips indeed. It heats up to temp real quick though too.

I mounted a steel plate to the base by drilling holes in it, attatched a black iron pipe to the plate, and then put the pipe in a bucket of cement. It screws on and off. I can move it around easily, and can be put in a corner out of the way. The pipe, plate, cement, and bucket can be found at home depot or lowes if it's not lying around in your garage. Nice little setup for the price.
 
Good call. I love my little forge. I may get another down the road that is bigger but I will be hanging onto my Atlas still. The forge is to small for swords but I have done 12" chef knives in it and they have done great.
 
Has anyone heard any updates on Atlas Graham. Heard such great commen TS on the Atlas Mini but need a larger one for hawks and slightly larger blacksmith items than mini canhandle
 
50 blacksmith, 50 dual burner blacksmith, and 35 Graham forges are being shipped and should be ready right around Blade time. Six weeks and I promise I'll crank them all out as quickly as I can.
 
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