When it comes to the art of blacksmithing, there are seven basic processes and skills that makes everything else possible. Depending on the blacksmith, there may be some varying techniques listed for each process, but at Sentinel Forge I work with seven basic principles.

Make sure you have one of these kits on hand next time you venture out into the wilderness, whether as a fun way to start the fire on your next camping trip, or as a lightweight option to starting your fire on your next backpacking adventure.

My blacksmithing began in 1988 working at Historic Fort Snelling in St. Paul Minnesota. While there I learned a lot about traditional methods of forging. Since then I’ve worked at several other historical blacksmith shops.