A propane forge is the fastest way to get a knife blank to forging heat without tending a coal fire, and the eight models below cover everything from a tabletop single-burner box to a 24-inch chamber built for long pattern-welding billets. If you want the short version: the Simond Store PFI-10 is the best propane forge for knife making for most beginners, and the DEVIL-FORGE DFSW2 is the pick for anyone who would rather not spend a Sunday sealing a liner.
I spent weeks going through the spec sheets, the owner reports and the review patterns for every gas forge in this roundup, and the pattern that surprised me was how much of the decision happens after checkout. Half of these forges arrive with a bare ceramic fibre liner that expects a coat of rigidizer, and several expect you to source your own regulator. If you are outfitting a shop at the same time, our propane generator guide covers power, and the fire pit roundup is worth a look if the forge lives outside.
This list is for hobby and small-shop smiths making knives, hooks, tongs and small tools, not for production forge welding. Every temperature figure quoted here is a maker’s published rating, not a working heat I measured, and I flag the difference where it matters.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks for Propane Forges for Knife Making (October 2026)
The three below are the models I would put on a shortlist first, whether you are buying your first gas forge or replacing a disappointing one.
Simond Store PFI-10 Single Burner
- Single burner
- 10 x 4 x 2.75 inch chamber
- 24.7 pounds
- Refractory coating and spare nozzles included
Nelyrho 2 Burner Forge Kit
- Two burners
- 1 inch insulation
- 0-30 PSI nozzle range
- Fire brick burner and hose included
VEVOR Double Burner Forge
- Two burners
- 15.7 x 8.5 x 7.5 inch body
- Dual 30 mm insulation
- Pre-assembled with hose valves and fire bricks
Best Propane Forges for Knife Making (October 2026)
The table below lists every forge in this roundup with its burner count, published chamber size and the accessories that come in the box. Specs are as published by the manufacturer.
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Simond Store PFI-10 Single Burner Forge |
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Check Latest Price |
| VEVOR Portable Propane Forge Double Burner |
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Check Latest Price |
 ATkrou GY200 2 Burner Forge Kit |
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Check Latest Price |
| Nelyrho 2 Burner Propane Forge Kit |
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Check Latest Price |
 Simond Store PFI-07 Triple Burner Forge |
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Check Latest Price |
 DEVIL-FORGE DFSW2 2 Burner Forge |
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Check Latest Price |
 Simond Store SGF-001 Oval Single Burner |
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Check Latest Price |
 Molten Masters 4 Burner Forge Kit |
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Check Latest Price |
What Is the Best Propane Forge for Beginners?
For a beginner making knives, the best propane forge is a single-burner unit with a published interior chamber of roughly 10 inches long or more, a firebrick or castable floor, and a burner you can angle. Our pick for most first-time smiths is the Simond Store PFI-10, because it ships with refractory coating, has the largest review base of any forge here, and its 10-inch chamber handles a full knife blank. Add a regulator if the kit does not include one, and plan an afternoon to seal the liner before your first serious heat.
1. Simond Store PFI-10 Single Burner Forge – The Best All-Round Pick
Pros
- Heats up very fast for its chamber size
- Compact and easy to move between locations
- Runs at modest gas pressure with low fuel use
- Refractory coating and spare nozzles in the box
- Affordable first forge for knife making
Cons
- Very small chamber limits long or bulky work
- Included coating is thin and flakes early
- Seam quality and customer service reported as inconsistent
This is the forge I keep coming back to, and the reason is unglamorous: it has more owner reviews behind it than anything else in this roundup, and the pattern in those reviews is consistent. Smiths report heat-up in minutes rather than the long crawl a solid fuel fire demands, which means a two-hour session is two hours of forging instead of one and a half hours of fire management.
The published interior is 2.75 inches high by 4 inches wide by 10 inches long, and the whole unit weighs 24.7 pounds. That footprint is genuinely portable, which is why it also works as a second forge beside a coal setup for normalizing and small corrective work.
What you are buying is a kit, not a finished tool. The listing states that refractory coating and extra gas port nozzles are included, which is more than most competitors at this level manage, but reviewers are near-unanimous that the supplied coating is thin and flakes early. Re-coating with a heavier refractory mix is the first weekend job, not an optional extra.
Long-term owner reporting on the blacksmithing forums for Simond Store units is thin compared with the volume of Amazon reviews here, so treat this as a well-reviewed entry point rather than a proven shop survivor. Budget for a sealer and a spare hose if the one that comes with the kit is a short length.
Who This Forge Suits
This suits a first-time smith working on knives up to about eight or nine inches, anyone in a small garage who needs a forge they can carry out to the driveway, and hobbyists who want a gas normalizing station without replacing a coal fire.
It also suits anyone who has been put off by gas forges because of the fuel logistics. A single burner at working pressure is a modest draw, and the chamber size keeps preheat short.
Who Should Buy Something Else
Skip it if your plan is pattern welding, axe work, or any project needing a billet over ten inches. The chamber height of 2.75 inches is also tight once a firebrick floor is in place, so bulky work will fight you.
Buy the triple-burner Simond Store model further down this list if length matters more to you than moving the forge around the shop.
2. VEVOR Portable Propane Forge Double Burner – Best Value for Two Burners
Pros
- Reaches forging heat after a short preheat
- Fully pre-assembled and usable straight away
- Thick dual insulation slows heat loss
- Selectable burner count saves propane
Cons
- Weldless cold rolled plate is less durable long term
- A matching regulator may be needed for your tank
The VEVOR double burner is the configuration most first-time buyers actually want without knowing why: two burners spread along a longer chamber, so a knife blank sits between flames instead of at the end of one. The body measures 15.7 inches long by 8.5 wide by 7.5 high, and owners report that the larger body takes noticeably longer to heat than a tabletop single burner, but the payoff is even heat along a long billet.
Insulation is the strongest argument here. The published build pairs 30 mm of thermal insulation cotton with 30 mm of insulation brick, and that brick layer is what keeps the outer shell cool enough to stand next to while you work.
The box contents are unusually complete for this tier: a 6.5 ft gas hose, two refractory fire bricks, two globe valves, copper outlets, a regulating valve and a manual. The burners are built from 45# steel and the body is described as weldless cold rolled plate, which is the main reason to treat this as a shop tool rather than a heirloom.
Two things to plan around. First, the weldless body is the first place a hard-used forge will eventually crack, so check the seams after the first few sessions. Second, the regulator question is the single most common complaint in reviews, and a standard-fit regulator may need replacing depending on the tank you own.
Who This Forge Suits
This suits a smith moving past single-burner territory who wants even heat across 10 to 12 inch work without stepping up to a cast refractory shop forge. It also suits anyone who does not want to assemble anything on day one.
For a beginner on a strict budget, this is the version I would point at, because the accessory list removes several extra purchases that single-burner kits force on you.
Who Should Buy Something Else
Pass if you plan heavy hammer and axe work, or if your shop has a rough floor and you want a shell that survives decades. Weldless cold rolled plate is not that shell.
Also consider a forced-air or higher-mass design if you intend to forge weld, because published temperature ratings on both burners do not guarantee welding heat.
3. ATkrou GY200 2 Burner Forge Kit – Best for Long Bar Work
Pros
- Closely spaced twin burners heat long bar evenly
- Insulated chamber holds temperature efficiently
- Stainless steel body with plasma surface treatment
- Doors speed heat-up and cut fuel use
Cons
- Factory lining needs a refractory cement coat
- One door open during long high-heat sessions
The design decision that sets this one apart is burner spacing. The two burners sit close together with the flame directed at the length of the chamber, and buyers describe the result as even heating along long bar rather than a hot spot at the front and a cool end, which is the standard complaint against wide two-burner layouts.
The body is stainless steel with a plasma surface treatment for high-temperature durability, and the interior is lined with 1400-grade ceramic fibre blanket. Published dimensions are 13.5 by 8.7 by 6.5 inches, and the unit weighs 15.45 pounds, so it stays portable despite the extra burner.
Two doors rather than one is a real efficiency feature at this size. Closing them during preheat cuts heat-up time and fuel use, and opening one during a long session lets heat escape rather than cooking the liner and the shell. Reviewers specifically recommend leaving one door open on extended high-temperature work.
The manufacturer recommends applying refractory cement over the ceramic fibre lining, and that instruction is not optional in practice. Uncoated fibre sheds dust and wears thin where flux splashes, so budget a coating session and drying time before the first blade.
Who This Forge Suits
This suits anyone drawing out long bar for knife blades, where even heat along the length of the piece is the whole point. It also suits a shop where fuel use matters, since the doors give you real control over preheat.
For normalize cycles, the twin-burner layout means you can soak a blank without chasing a moving hot spot.
Who Should Buy Something Else
Skip it if you want a finished tool with nothing to coat on arrival. This is a kit that expects an afternoon of liner work, same as most forges at this tier.
Choose the VEVOR double burner instead if included accessories and a ready-to-light body matter more to you than twin-burner evenness.
4. Nelyrho 2 Burner Propane Forge Kit – Highest Rated in the Group
Pros
- Highest average rating among these forges
- Stainless steel build with wide 0-30 PSI range
- 1 inch insulation slows heat loss
- Standard connection fits most tanks
Cons
- Insulation still benefits from a refractory or rigidizer coat
- Manufacturer advises disconnecting the hose after use
This forge carries the highest average rating of anything on this list, and the reviews back up the reason: owners describe heat output, build quality and value without a single recurring complaint about the steel or the burner. At 13.33 pounds it is also one of the lighter two-burner options, which matters if you are moving it between a bench and a patio.
The technical standout is the burner nozzle pressure range of 0 to 30 PSI. A wide range means you can dial the flame down to a barely-there pilot for temperature control and up to full output for a draw-out, and it makes the forge usable with a broad range of regulators.
Insulation is 1 inch thick, which is a step up from the thinner pads on the cheapest kits, and the stated maximum temperature is 2600 degrees Fahrenheit. That number is the rating of the lining material, not a promise of the heat the chamber actually reaches, so treat it as a ceiling rather than a working specification.
The included components are simple and useful: a fire brick, the forge body, the forge burner and a gas hose. The standard propane connection fits most common tanks, and the manufacturer advises disconnecting the hose or burner after use so residual heat does not damage it.
Who This Forge Suits
This suits a beginner who wants a two-burner forge with minimal assembly and a wide control range to learn temperature on. The low weight suits a one-car shop or a college metals program.
It is also a good second forge for a smith who already owns a larger unit and needs a fast, small normalizing station.
Who Should Buy Something Else
Look elsewhere if your work needs a long chamber for billet work or a deep firebox for thick material, since this is a compact two-burner design in a small footprint.
Expect to add a rigidizer and refractory coat yourself. The coat is not included, and it is the difference between a liner that lasts a season and one that lasts years.
5. Simond Store PFI-07 Triple Burner Forge – Best for Big Blades and Billets
Pros
- 24 inch interior handles blades to 18 inches and more
- Heats 5160 1095 D2 and 15n20 quickly
- Three burners give good control and efficiency
- Includes rigidizer refractory regulator fire brick and blanket
Cons
- Seams only tack welded in places and can split
- Door insulation adhesive can let go over time
- Non-standard tank fitting may need an adapter
- Loose manifold fittings can hide leaks
If your ambitions run past a eight-inch blade, this is the forge in the group built for it. The published interior is 5.8 inches high by 5.8 inches wide by 24 inches long, and reviewers describe handling blades from small projects up to 18 inches or more without crowding the work.
Three burners along that length give you independent control of front, middle and back, which is what makes a long chamber usable rather than a tunnel with a hot end. Bladesmiths in the reviews specifically mention bringing 5160, 1095, D2 and 15n20 up to forging temperature quickly.
The accessory package is the best in this roundup: a hose with clamps, a regulator with manometer, refractory fire brick, Teflon tape, an Allen key, a heat guard and extra ceramic fibre blanket. The manometer matters more than it sounds, because it lets you set and repeat a gas pressure rather than guessing by flame height.
Now the honest part. Several reviewers flag factory seam welds that are only tack welded in places and can split after several forging sessions, adhesive holding the door insulation that lets go with extended use, and a non-standard tank fitting on some units. The manifold fittings arriving loose and painted over is the one to check first, because a hidden leak is a real safety problem.
Who This Forge Suits
This suits a bladesmith making long knives, and anyone starting pattern-welding billets who wants a horizontal chamber rather than a vertical forge. The included regulator, manometer and refractory kit remove most of the setup cost of a kit forge.
It also suits a shop that wants one forge for both knives and heavier work, since 52 pounds of mild steel is a stable platform for larger work.
Who Should Buy Something Else
Do not buy it if you need to move the forge regularly or work in a confined space. Inspect and re-weld the seams before the first serious session rather than after a failure.
Buy the triple-burner model only if you will actually use the length. A cheaper single burner plus better hammers and tongs serves a first forge better.
6. DEVIL-FORGE DFSW2 2 Burner Forge – Best Complete Kit
Pros
- Burners run together or one at a time
- Fully lined firebrick and ceramic blanket bottom
- Includes tongs gloves regulator rigidizer and brush
- POL CGA-510 regulator fits US tanks
Cons
- 21-gauge steel body is lighter duty than heavy-gauge rivals
- Interior height of 3.2 inches with firebrick limits workpiece size
This is the kit answer. Where most forges on this list hand you a bare box and a coil of fibre, the DEVIL-FORGE DFSW2 includes tongs, heat-resistant gloves, a regulator with manometer, rigidizer powder and a brush, so the finishing session that owners complain about elsewhere is mostly done for you.
Published interior dimensions are 6 inches wide by 4.8 inches high by 16 inches deep, and the unit weighs 16 pounds. Output is stated at 160000 BTU with a working temperature rating of 2500 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the lowest published figure in this roundup and the most honest one.
The two burners are connected but usable individually or together, with a gas ball valve and an air choke for temperature control. The liner is 1 inch ceramic blanket with a 20 mm firebrick bottom, and the included POL CGA-510 regulator is made for US standard propane tanks, which removes one of the most common budget-forge snags.
Who This Forge Suits
This suits a beginner who wants to light the forge on day one without a hardware store trip for tongs, gloves and a sealer. The 16 inch depth handles a full-size knife blank comfortably.
It also suits anyone who has been disappointed by liners that fall apart, since the rigidizer ships in the box and the firebrick floor is already part of the build.
Who Should Buy Something Else
Pass if you hammer heavy work. The 21-gauge alloy steel body is thinner than the mild steel shells on the Simond Store models, and the 3.2 inch interior height once the firebrick is in limits what fits.
Anyone forging toward welding heat should note that the burners run straight rather than swirling, so expect to work the steel around the chamber.
7. Simond Store SGF-001 Oval Single Burner Forge – Best Lightweight Option
Pros
- Oval chamber gives more usable workspace than a square design
- Air choke controls airflow for fast even heating
- Stainless steel body and nozzle resist rust
- Light enough to move between locations
Cons
- Single burner limits heat capacity for multi-piece work
- Narrow 2.15 inch height suits small billets
The oval body is the idea here. A single burner in a square box gives you a small hot zone and a lot of wasted corners, while an oval chamber puts more of the interior inside the flame pattern, and reviewers consistently mention the roomier working space for the size.
Construction is 16 gauge heavy-duty stainless steel with a stainless nozzle, which is a genuine upgrade over painted mild steel at this weight, and it is the reason this body resists rust across seasons of damp storage. The listed dimensions are 6.3 inches wide by 2.15 inches high, and the unit weighs 16 pounds.
The air choke pipe has intake holes cut into it, which keeps burner airflow steady as the flame draws, and that is what gives this single burner better temperature stability than the cheapest kits. Stated maximum temperature is 2600 degrees Fahrenheit, again a lining rating rather than a measured working heat.
It is listed under two model numbers, SGF-001 and SIM-SB01, so check the listing you are buying to confirm you have the oval body and not a square one. Fuel consumption is reported as low, which makes this a good fit for occasional sharpening-scale work rather than full production sessions.
Who This Forge Suits
This suits a shop with limited floor space, a demonstrator who travels with a forge, and a smith who wants a light unit for hooks, tongs, punches and small blanks.
Stainless steel construction also suits anyone storing a forge in an unheated shed between sessions, where painted steel pits fastest.
Who Should Buy Something Else
Skip it if you are working long knife bar. The 2.15 inch height is genuinely narrow, and a single burner cannot recover temperature quickly after a large piece goes in.
If your real goal is forge welding billets, a vertical forge is the right tool and none of the horizontal units in this roundup will replace one.
8. Molten Masters 4 Burner Forge Kit – Best Heat Capacity
Pros
- Four burners give high heat capacity across a wide chamber
- Single door speeds heat-up for smaller jobs
- Dual insulation with fire brick aids efficiency and durability
- Straightforward gas hookup for a home workshop
Cons
- Ceramic fibre should be coated with rigidizer
- Hose should be disconnected after use
- Heaviest unit in the group at nearly 40 pounds
Four burners is the largest heat budget in this roundup, and it is the reason to consider this unit if you plan to run long sessions with heavy work going in. Owners report satisfied output and temperature recovery, which is the failure mode that limits a single burner after the second large piece of the day.
The single door is a practical feature rather than a limitation. Closing it speeds heat-up for smaller jobs, so you are not paying to heat a volume you are not using, and the package dimensions are 31 by 12.35 by 10.5 inches with a listed weight of 39.9 pounds.
Insulation is 1 inch combined with a fire brick, giving dual protection between the chamber and the outer shell. Gas hookup is direct, so connecting the hose and burner is the whole installation for a home workshop.
Two recurring notes from owners. The ceramic fibre blanket should be coated with rigidizer for longer service, and the hose should be disconnected after use so residual heat does not damage it, which is good practice with any of these forges.
Who This Forge Suits
This suits a shop that already knows how to smith and wants a second unit with real thermal headroom, particularly for longer working sessions. It also suits a hobbyist who wants to grow into larger work without replacing the forge in a year.
Parts and replacement support are handled through the seller, which is worth noting if you want a spare burner or door early.
Who Should Buy Something Else
Do not buy it as a first portable forge. At nearly 40 pounds it is the heaviest unit here, and four burners are wasted on the small work most beginners start with.
If your work stays under about ten inches, the three-burner Simond Store model gives you a longer chamber and a lighter body for less.
Propane Forge Buying Guide: What Actually Matters for Knife Making
Chamber size and shape
Chamber size decides what you can make, and length matters more than volume. A 10 inch chamber handles a normal knife blank; a 24 inch chamber handles full-size blades and pattern-welding billets. Width and height are secondary, but a chamber under 3 inches high will limit the material you can hold comfortably.
Shape is the second question. A long narrow chamber matches knife work better than a big square one, because a single burner only heats a zone, and oval bodies place more of the interior inside the flame pattern. If you make billets, a vertical forge is a separate tool rather than a substitute for any unit on this list.
Burner count is a heat budget
One burner is genuinely enough for knife making at the beginner stage. It will heat a blank to forging temperature and it will recover if you are not dumping huge mass in. What it will not do is recover fast after a large piece, which is why the second burner exists.
Published output on the DEVIL-FORGE DFSW2 is 160000 BTU across two burners, and the SIMOND STORE triple model uses three. Treat burner count as a heat budget, not a status symbol, and consider a manometer-equipped regulator so you can set a repeatable pressure.
Liner, insulation and the 2600 degree myth
Most of these forges are rated to 2600 degrees Fahrenheit because the ceramic fibre blanket is rated to 2600. That is the material’s ceiling, not the heat the chamber reaches, and the difference is where disappointed buyers come from. A 2500 degree rating, like the DEVIL-FORGE, is a more useful number to compare against.
Coat the liner. Reviews across this group repeat the same instruction from four different manufacturers: apply rigidizer or refractory cement to the ceramic fibre before heavy use. Uncoated fibre sheds dust and erodes where flux splashes, and a coated liner is the difference between a season of service and years.
What you have to buy separately
The list of extras is what turns a low listing figure into a real one. A regulator, a hose of the length you want, a rigidizer and a refractory mix, and a replacement firebrick are the four items most often missing. The DEVIL-FORGE and SIMOND STORE triple-burner kits include the most of them.
Add a thermocouple kit if heat control is going to matter to you, and a good face shield. Our other buying guides cover the supporting shop gear, including shop equipment basics that are worth setting up before your first heat.
Propane logistics
A single-burner forge at working pressure runs well within what a 20 pound cylinder delivers, while a two-burner unit running both burners at 20 psi draws much faster. One long-term owner of a double-burner forge reports roughly four to six hours from a 20 pound tank with both burners running, which is the number to plan your session breaks around.
A 100 pound tank lasts proportionally longer and avoids the mid-session tank swap, at the cost of standing in one place. If your tank ices up on a big burner, that is a sign the tank is undersized rather than a fault in the forge.
Propane Forge Safety: Carbon Monoxide, Clearance and PPE
Never run a propane forge in a closed space without a carbon monoxide alarm, and treat a garage door left open as ventilation, not a solution. Keep the forge at least 10 feet from combustibles and anything you would mind losing.
Leak test every connection with soapy water before the first lighting and again whenever you disconnect a hose. Wear IR-rated eye protection marked to ANSI Z87.1 rather than clear safety glasses, because the glare from a bright gas flame at forging heat is not something standard lenses handle.
Shut down in order: close the burners, let the chamber cool with the door cracked rather than sealed, and only then disconnect the hose so residual heat does not reach it. Keep the tank outside the radiant heat of the chamber and out of the wind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the disadvantages of using a propane forge?
A propane forge cannot reach true forge welding heat in most configurations, it needs a propane supply and regulator to run, it produces carbon monoxide so it cannot be used in a closed space, and flux attacks the ceramic fibre liner so relining is a recurring cost. It also puts less heat into the work than a solid fuel forge for very large work, which is why many smiths keep both.
What is the best propane forge for beginners?
For most beginners making knives, a single-burner forge with a published interior chamber of 10 inches or more and a firebrick floor is the right start. The Simond Store PFI-10 fits that description, includes refractory coating and has the largest review base of the models we compared. Budget for a regulator if the kit does not include one and for an afternoon to seal the liner.
How long does a 100lb propane tank last for forging?
A 100 pound cylinder outlasts a 20 pound tank by roughly five times, so duration is really a question of how hard you are running the burners. One long-term owner of a double-burner forge reports about four to six hours from a 20 pound tank at 20 psi with both burners running. A single-burner forge at working pressure stretches that considerably.
What is the best shape for a propane forge?
A long, narrow chamber suits knife work better than a big square one, because a burner only heats a zone and you want the whole length of a blade blank inside the flame pattern. Oval bodies place more interior volume inside that pattern than squares do. For billets and forge welding, a vertical forge is the better shape and a different machine.
Which propane forge is best for blacksmithing?
For general blacksmithing beyond knives, the Simond Store PFI-07 triple burner is the strongest fit in this group, with a 24 inch interior, a regulator with manometer, refractory fire brick and a full insulating kit included. The heavier mild steel body and three independently controlled burners suit repeated work on larger pieces.
Are vevor propane forges any good?
The VEVOR double burner in this roundup holds a 4.4 average rating across hundreds of reviews, and owners consistently praise quick heat-up, ready-to-use assembly and thick dual insulation for the money. The honest limitation is the weldless cold rolled plate body, which is lighter duty than a welded heavy-gauge shell over years of use.
Do I need to coat the ceramic fiber blanket inside a propane forge?
Yes. Four of the manufacturers in this roundup recommend applying rigidizer or refractory cement to the factory liner before heavy use, and reviewers confirm bare fibre sheds dust and erodes where flux splashes. A coated liner resists that erosion and lasts considerably longer, but it needs drying time before the forge is lit.
Can you heat treat knives in a propane forge?
You can normalize blades in a propane forge reliably, because an even soaking chamber holds a steady heat through repeated cycles. Hardening and quenching is a different problem, since the chamber lacks fine control and the volume, so most smiths use a separate heat treat oven or electric kiln for that final step.
Conclusion: The Best Propane Forge for Knife Making
If you buy one forge from this list, buy the Simond Store PFI-10. It has the deepest review base, a chamber sized for a full knife blank, and it includes the refractory coating that most competitors leave out. Buy the Simond Store PFI-07 triple burner instead if your blades run long or you plan to weld billets, and pick the DEVIL-FORGE DFSW2 if you want a complete kit with a regulator, rigidizer and gloves already in the box.
Whatever you choose, seal the liner before the first serious heat, keep a carbon monoxide alarm within reach, and buy the regulators and hoses you will actually need. As we covered with the rest of the shop gear, a good clamp, a face shield and proper tongs will do more for your work in 2026 than a second burner ever will.
There are people who love playing video games, and then there are enthusiasts who devote their lives to gaming.
Corey has been playing games since The Legend of Zelda and Final Fantasy III were still young.
Today, he blends his passion and experience to write reviews that can help others choose the best components in the gaming arena.