Short answer: the Simond Store single burner portable forge is the best propane forge for knife making most beginners will ever need, the Nelyrho 2 burner kit is the best value pick for a first serious setup, and the VEVOR double burner is the budget option if you want the second most reviewed design in this roundup. If you are new to bladesmithing, start there and skip the expensive units.
That is a lot of words for a simple question, so here is the short version before the detail. A propane forge is a gas-fired hearth that burns propane through one or more burners to heat a refractory-lined chamber hot enough to shape steel. The chamber is the part that matters, because the chamber sets the size and type of work you can do. Too small and you will be stuck making tiny parts forever. Too large and you are burning propane you never needed.
We spent weeks reading the review data, the spec sheets, and the practitioner forum threads where knifemakers argue about heat chamber diameter, burner types and regulator pressure. No editorial roundup exists for this topic, which is why the advice lives in scattered forum posts instead of anywhere organized. If you are still assembling a toolchain, our beginner knife making kit guide covers the rest of the bench. The forge kit roundup for hobbyists is worth a look if you want the kit-and-forge route instead.
Here is the 2026 shortlist, with the reasoning behind every pick and the specific reasons we left some of them out.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Propane Forge Picks for Knife Making in 2026
All 10 Propane Forges Compared for 2026
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Simond Store Single Burner Forge |
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Check Latest Price |
 VEVOR Double Burner Forge |
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 Simond Store Triple Burner Forge |
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Check Latest Price |
 ATkrou 1 Burner Forge Kit |
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 Nelyrho 2 Burner Forge Kit |
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Check Latest Price |
 E-cowlboy Dual Burner Forge |
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Check Latest Price |
 Simond Store Oval Single Burner Forge |
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Check Latest Price |
 DEVIL-FORGE DFSW2 |
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Check Latest Price |
 MMasters 3 Burner Forge Kit |
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Check Latest Price |
 E-cowlboy Triple Burner Forge |
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Check Latest Price |
Here is the one-line verdict for each unit, in case you want the whole picture before reading ten full reviews. The Simond Store single burner is the most reviewed forge in this group and the one we recommend to almost everyone starting out. The VEVOR double burner has the second-largest review count and a reported three minute preheat. The Simond Store triple burner has the biggest chamber and is the pick for long blades and damascus. The ATkrou single burner is the cheapest way into forge welding work. The Nelyrho dual burner is the best-rated design here at 4.6 out of 5. The E-cowlboy dual burner is a complete kit with the most accessories in the box, but its reviews are the most mixed. The Simond Store oval forge fires vertically for even heating in a small footprint. The DEVIL-FORGE DFSW2 is the most serious single purchase here for temperature control. The MMasters triple burner is a mid-size option with replacement parts support. The E-cowlboy triple burner has the most detailed published specification and the longest warranty, but it is also the newest design with the thinnest review history.
The Honest Downsides of Propane Forges
Propane forges are good, but they are not perfect, and the drawbacks are worth knowing before you buy.
Heat control is coarse. You change temperature by turning a valve, not by managing fuel and air the way you do with a charcoal fire. A venturi burner at a fixed pressure gives you one flame pattern, and a blown burner gives you more range but needs a powered blower.
No neutral atmosphere. A gas forge burns fuel, so there is scale. Charcoal forges can be run into a reducing atmosphere for cleaner steel, and that matters for pattern work.
Consumables cost real money over time. Propane, regulators, hoses, firebrick and refractory cement all add up, and the firebrick wears fastest.
Safety is a live concern indoors. A propane forge needs ventilation, a rated hose, a working regulator, and a fire extinguisher within reach. It is not a garage heater.
Chamber size is fixed. Whatever you buy is what you live with. Making a larger billet later means buying a larger forge.
Outdoor use is weather dependent. Wind and cold both affect a small chamber more than a large one, and you cannot use a propane forge in a garage with the door shut in winter.
None of those are deal breakers. Most knifemakers who start with propane never go back to coal, and the reasons are speed, control and the fact that a gas forge comes back to temperature in minutes rather than an hour.
1. Simond Store Single Burner Portable Forge – Best Overall Propane Forge for Knife Making
Simond Store – Single Burner Portable Metal Propane Forge – 2600F Rated
10x4x2.75 inch chamber
2600F rated
24.7 lbs
Model PFI-10
Pros
- Fast heat-up to working temperature
- Strongest review base at 650 reviews
- Great value for first builds
- Light enough to move between spots
Cons
- Small 4 inch by 3 inch working area
- Refractory coating wears over time
- One leg can arrive shorter than others
The single burner Simond Store is the forge we keep coming back to, and it is the first one we would put in front of a beginner. The internal chamber measures 2.75 inches high by 4 inches wide by 10 inches long, and the whole unit weighs 24.7 pounds, which means one person can carry it to a patio or a garage corner without a dolly.
What separates it from the crowd is the review volume. At 650 reviews averaging 4.5 stars, this is the most scrutinised forge in the group, and roughly 74 percent of those reviews are five stars. Buyers describe fast heat-up, straightforward setup, and solid performance on small knife projects. A large share of reviewers say they would buy it again for hobby knife making, which is exactly the use case we care about here.
Be honest about the size though. The working area inside is small, and reviewers repeatedly flag that limitation. If you have made a bowie or a large pattern-welded billet, you already know that a bar has to fit inside the chamber with room to move. This one is built for tangs, guards, fittings, small blades and heat treating rather than full-width billet work.
The listed maximum temperature is 2600F, and like every other forge in this roundup that number is a rated ceiling, not a promise of a working surface at that heat. The build quality is described as durable with insulation, and the box includes extra nozzles and refractory coating. The weak points that come up in reviews are the refractory coating wearing down over time, the small interior, and occasional shipping damage such as a short leg or a missing piece. A few buyers also found support hard to reach.
Who the Simond Single Burner Forge Suits Best
It suits someone on their first knife, working on knives up to about five or six inches, or anyone who wants a second forge they can move between a garage and an outdoor spot. It also suits anyone doing heat treating on blades that do not need a large chamber, because the small volume heats fast and holds heat predictably.
If you build pattern-welded steel or full-size bowie billets, keep reading. The next few units have the chamber volume for that.
Where the Simond Single Burner Falls Short
It falls short on working volume and on lining longevity. Practitioner threads make the point that included firebrick quantity is minimal and that flux eats a lining quickly, so you should keep spare firebrick on hand from day one. That advice applies here more than most, because the coating is what fails first.
It also falls short if you plan to grow into large damascus work within a year. Practitioners are blunt about this pattern: a mini forge will work, but it will not keep you happy for long, and time spent at a larger smith’s forge is what exposes the limit.
2. VEVOR Portable Double Burner Forge – Best Budget Propane Forge
VEVOR Portable Propane Forge, Double Burner Tool and Knife Making, 2600°F
15.7x8.5x7.5 inch body
2600F rated
22.9 lbs
Weldless cold rolled plate
Pros
- Pre-assembled and usable straight out of the box
- Second largest review base at 602
- 30mm dual-layer insulation
- Choose one burner or two
Cons
- Only two fire bricks included
- May need refractory cement for heavy use
- 2600F is a rated ceiling not a working surface
The VEVOR double burner is the one people ask about by name, so it is worth being clear about what the consensus actually is. At 602 reviews averaging 4.4 stars, it has the second-largest review base in this roundup, and roughly 71 percent of those reviews are five stars. The most common theme is heat-up speed, with buyers reporting reaching working heat in about three minutes.
It arrives pre-assembled from cold rolled plate with aluminum silicate fiber blanket, and the included parts list covers most of what you need: two globe valves, two copper outlets, two burners, a 6.5 foot gas hose, two refractory fire bricks and a regulating valve. There is also a one, two and three burner variant line, which is handy if you later decide you want a third burner without changing brand.
One detail worth flagging: the burner is 45# steel, the chamber uses 30mm thermal insulation cotton plus 30mm insulation brick, and the construction is weldless. That combination explains both the fast heat-up and the reviews that suggest adding refractory cement for sustained heavy use. A reviewer running heavy forging sessions noted the lining needed supplementing, which is normal and inexpensive to address.
On the question of what people are saying about the VEVOR propane forge, the honest summary is positive but shallow. Retailer listing ratings in this category are thin, with only a few reviews each on some units, so the 4.4 here comes from a large sample rather than a handful. The recurring complaints are minor: few customer photos to judge the build, and a need for extra refractory cement under heavy load.
Who the VEVOR Double Burner Suits Best
It suits a maker who wants a turnkey setup today with no assembly and minimal fuss, and it suits anyone who wants the flexibility of running a single burner for small work and both burners for larger pieces. The selectable burner operation also helps when you want to conserve propane on light heats.
It is also a sensible second forge. If you are starting on a smaller forge, the one, two and three burner variant line means you can change size later without changing your parts or fuel setup.
Where the VEVOR Double Burner Falls Short
Two fire bricks in the box is the real limit. Every forum thread we read made the same point: the included lining is minimal, flux attacks it, and you will be replacing it. Buy a stack of standard firebrick before your first forging session rather than after.
It falls short for a maker who wants a fully lined, rigidized chamber straight out of the packaging. No unit in this price range arrives with a finished rigidized lining, and that step is what separates a forge that reaches true welding heat from one that only gets to a bright orange glow.
3. Simond Store Triple Burner Forge – Best for Damascus and Long Blades
Triple Burner Gas Propane Forge Furnace Blacksmith Knife making w/ 1 Door
5.8x5.8x24 inch chamber
Three burners
52 lbs
Regulator with manometer
Pros
- Large chamber handles long blades and damascus
- Includes regulator with manometer
- Extra ceramic fiber blanket in the box
- Responsive manufacturer support
Cons
- 52 pounds is not portable
- Seams only tack welded on some units
- Door insulation adhesive can fail
The Simond Store triple burner is the one to buy if your real goal is damascus and long blades. Its internal chamber measures 5.8 inches by 5.8 inches by 24 inches, which puts it in the range practitioners quote when they say a larger chamber holds a bigger billet. Three burners push heat into that long chamber evenly instead of cooking one end.
Reviews rate it 4.5 stars across 206 reviews, with 71 percent five stars. Buyers highlight large blade work including blades over 18 inches, solid welds, quick heat-up, and good manufacturer service when something needs sorting. The package includes a hose with clamps, a regulator with manometer, refractory fire brick, teflon tape, an Allen key, a heat guard and an extra ceramic fiber blanket, which is a generous box for the money.
At 52 pounds this is a freestanding forge, so decide where it lives before it arrives. Mounting type is freestanding, ventilation type is vent free, and the material is mild steel, all reasonable for a garage forge that will not move often.
Quality control is the thing to watch. Some builds arrive with seams that are only tack welded, and reviewers flag that door insulation adhesive can fail after repeated heating cycles. Two more practical notes: the propane fitting may not match standard barbecue tanks without an adapter, and paint on fittings can hide small leaks until the forge heats up. Test every connection with soapy water before the first real forging session.
Who the Simond Triple Burner Suits Best
It suits anyone building long blades, full tangs and pattern-welded billets who has outgrown a small chamber. It also suits a maker with a dedicated garage space, since at 52 pounds it is a fixed installation rather than a portable tool.
If you forge weekly and buy steel by the bar, this is the size that stops fighting you. The included regulator with a pressure gauge is also the kind of detail that makes temperature work much easier later.
Where the Simond Triple Burner Falls Short
It falls short for anyone without a permanent spot and for anyone who wants to take the forge outdoors. Weight is the reason. A 52 pound furnace plus a full propane cylinder is a two-person carry at best.
It also falls short on QC consistency. Tack-welded seams and adhesive door insulation are repairable but annoying, and they show up in reviews often enough that you should inspect the body on arrival. Reinforcing the seams with a proper weld is an afternoon job for anyone who has held a stick before.
4. ATkrou 1 Burner Propane Forge Kit – Best Propane Forge for Beginners
ATkrou 1 Burner Propane Blacksmith Forge Kit, 2600°F Metal Forge
Double door design
1400 grade ceramic blanket
0-30 PSI
12.3 lbs
Pros
- Reaches genuine forge welding heat for damascus
- Double door speeds heating and cuts fuel use
- Light at 12.3 pounds
- Easy to modify as skills grow
Cons
- Stock regulator can freeze up and fail
- Hose can melt if left connected
- Some kits arrive without burners
The ATkrou single burner kit is the lowest-cost route to real forge welding heat, and reviewers say so directly. At 4.5 stars from 510 reviews with 73 percent five stars, buyers commonly report that it gets hot enough for damascus welds, which is exactly the capability most cheap single burner kits are assumed to lack.
The body is stainless steel with a plasma surface treatment for high temperature work, and the interior is lined with 1400 grade ceramic fiber blanket rated to 2600F. The double door design is the detail I would point to first, because opening one door to work in lets the other stay closed, and reviewers credit it with faster heating and better fuel economy.
Burner nozzle pressure range is listed as 0 to 30 PSI, which is a wide adjustment window and the reason this unit can cover low heat treating temperatures through to welding heat. The manufacturer also recommends applying refractory cement over the ceramic fiber, and keeping one door open during extended high temperature use.
The honest weakness list starts with the included regulator. Multiple reviewers report the stock regulator freezing up and failing, so plan to replace it with an adjustable regulator with a gauge before you rely on it. Two other recurring notes: hoses can melt if the hose stays connected to a hot forge, and some kits arrive with missing parts.
Who the ATkrou Kit Suits Best
It suits a first-time maker who wants to attempt pattern welding rather than just shaping a blade. It also suits anyone who works outdoors or in a small space, since at 12.3 pounds it is the lightest forge in this roundup.
It suits a maker who likes tinkering. Reviewers note it is easy to modify and upgrade, which turns a cheap first forge into a learning platform rather than a dead end.
Where the ATkrou Kit Falls Short
It falls short on included hardware quality. The regulator is the first thing to replace, the ceramic wool needs a rigidizer coating for safety, and a few owners report doors that would benefit from new fire brick.
It also falls short if you want the chamber to grow. This is a small chamber, so it suits tangs, small blades and short billets. If you are already forging full-width bars, look at the triple burner units instead.
5. Nelyrho 2 Burner Propane Forge Kit – Best Value Propane Forge
Nelyrho 2 Burner Propane Blacksmith Forge Kit
Dual burner
1 inch insulation
0-30 PSI
13.3 lbs
Stainless steel
Pros
- Highest rated in the group at 4.6 out of 5
- 1 inch thick insulation holds heat well
- Dual burners for even chamber heating
- Wide compatibility with standard propane tanks
Cons
- Newer brand with less long term data
- Refractory cement needed for heavy use
- Disconnect the hose after use
It holds a 4.6 average with 312 reviews and 80 percent five stars. That rating across a few hundred reviews means something. In a category where most listings carry two or three reviews, this is the design we trust most on paper.
It is a stainless steel design with a dual burner layout, and the insulation is listed at 1 inch thick, which is generous for the segment. Burner nozzle pressure range is 0 to 30 PSI and the rated maximum is 2600F. Two burners across a chamber means more even heating than a single burner pushing at one point, which is the difference between a bar that heats evenly and one that goes from orange to white across an inch.
Two burners are not a guarantee of welding heat, and the manufacturer is careful about that. It recommends applying refractory materials to the insulation, and the safety note is to disconnect hoses after use to prevent melting. Both are correct advice and both are repeated by reviewers.
The main caution is time. This design first became available in October 2023, which means there is less long-term data than the older forges in this roundup. With a 2023 design you are buying current manufacturing and current parts, but not a decade of owners telling you how the chamber held up.
Who the Nelyrho Kit Suits Best
It suits a maker who wants even heat across a moderate chamber without moving to a triple burner unit. It also suits anyone who values a clean ratio of heat capacity to physical size, since 13.3 pounds with two burners is a lot of capability in a small footprint.
It suits first-time buyers who want the reassurance of a well-reviewed design. At 312 reviews with 80 percent five stars, you are buying into the least controversial reputation in the group.
Where the Nelyrho Kit Falls Short
It falls short on history, not on design. Three years of ownership data is short in a category where people keep forges for decades, and that uncertainty is exactly the anxiety the beginner forum threads raise about this whole category.
It also falls short for the buyer who wants a fully finished chamber. As with most kits at this level, the refractory cement step is on you, and skipping it is the most common reason a capable forge underperforms.
6. E-cowlboy Dual Burner Forge Kit – Best Complete Kit Out of the Box
2700F/1482°C Propane Knife Forge, With Dual Burners Portable Propane Forge with Two Durable Doors,Large Capacity Farrier Forge, Square Propane Burner Forge for Knife and Tool Making
Two 80000 BTU DFP burners
1-25 PSI
POL CGA-510 kit with tongs and gloves
Pros
- Most complete accessory kit in this roundup
- DFP burners with air choke for control
- Two doors hold heat
- Regulator with manometer included
Cons
- Lowest rated at 4.1 stars from 70 reviews
- May not reach advertised welding heat
- Thin 16 gauge steel body
The E-cowlboy dual burner is the most generous box in the roundup. The included components list runs to two DFP burners, a 6.5 foot gas hose, a gas pressure regulator with manometer, tongs, firebrick, doors, clamps, a brush and gloves. If you have never assembled a forge setup, having the whole list on one order removes a real source of early frustration.
The burners are DFP type rated at 80,000 BTU each with an air choke, and the operating pressure range is 1 to 25 PSI. The regulator is POL CGA-510, which is the US standard connection, and the body is 16 gauge, or 1.5mm, steel. It is a 29.1 pound design with two doors for heat retention.
It is the lowest rated unit here at 4.1 stars from 70 reviews, and only 56 percent of those are five stars. Read that as a warning rather than a disqualifier. Reviewers report that it may not reach advertised welding temperatures without modifications such as a rigidizer coating and a hard face lining, that the fire bricks often arrive broken, that the kaowool insulation is cut with gaps, and that hose positioning near the chamber creates a melting risk.
One more thing to plan around: there is no master shutoff on the forge itself beyond the bottle valve, so your shutoff has to be at the tank or at the regulator. Add a lever valve at the manifold if you want something you can kill quickly.
Who the E-cowlboy Dual Burner Suits Best
It suits a first-time buyer who wants everything on the shopping list in a single box and is comfortable doing the refractory work. The DFP burners with air chokes are genuinely good components, and having them factory paired saves real money compared with assembling them yourself.
It also suits a maker who works outdoors and wants gloves and tongs that match the unit, since the included set is heat rated for the job.
Where the E-cowlboy Dual Burner Falls Short
It falls short on build thickness and on insulation finish. Sixteen gauge steel is a thin body, and gaps in the cut insulation are what a lot of the temperature complaints trace back to. If you buy it, budget an evening to re-cut and rigidize the lining properly.
It also falls short for anyone planning serious forge welding on day one. The stated ceiling is 2700F, which is among the highest figures quoted in this roundup, and reviewer experience suggests treating it as unproven until the chamber is properly lined. A stated temperature figure is a rating, not a working surface.
7. Simond Store Oval Single Burner Forge – Best for Even Heating in a Small Footprint
Propane Gas Forge Single Burner – Portable Farrier Blacksmithing Forge Kit
Oval body
6.3x2.15 inch internal
16 pounds
Vertical firing
Pros
- Oval chamber gives more working space in a compact body
- Vertical firing spreads heat evenly
- 16 gauge stainless steel body
- Good for knives and heat treating
Cons
- Single burner caps maximum workpiece size
- Smaller interior than rectangular designs
- Only 119 reviews to draw from
The Simond Store oval forge is the reason this roundup is not just a list of square boxes. The body is oval rather than square, the internal working area is listed at 6.3 inches wide by 2.15 inches high, and the firing mechanism is vertical. Vertical firing means the flame path runs along the work rather than across it, which is what produces the even heat distribution reviewers mention.
It holds 4.4 stars from 119 reviews with 70 percent five stars. Buyers praise the oval working space, the vertical firing, and the stainless steel construction, and it is regularly recommended for knives, blades, horseshoes and heat treating work. The body is 16 gauge heavy duty stainless steel with a stainless steel nozzle for rust resistance, and it weighs 16 pounds.
Air intake holes in the air choke pipe are listed as the airflow feature, and the portable, compact format means you can set it up and take it down without much ceremony. At 16 pounds it is easy to move between a garage and an outdoor workspace.
The limit is the burner count. A single burner caps your maximum workpiece size, and the interior is smaller than the rectangular designs even though the oval shape gives you more usable space than the dimensions alone suggest. With 119 reviews, the reputation is solid but the sample is smaller than the leaders in this roundup.
Who the Simond Oval Forge Suits Best
It suits a maker whose work is narrow rather than large, who wants even heat more than raw capacity. Heat treating and small blade work both benefit from a chamber that heats uniformly, because you can watch colour instead of hunting for the hot spot.
It suits anyone with limited floor space or a portable setup. Sixteen pounds and a compact body make it easy to store and carry.
Where the Simond Oval Forge Falls Short
It falls short whenever the work is long or wide. One burner means the chamber is heated from a single point, and a bar that needs to reach welding heat along its full length will need patience and a couple of turns.
It also falls short for damascus work specifically, because the interior height of 2.15 inches is tight for stacking a billet. This is a shaping and heat treating forge, not a welding forge.
8. DEVIL-FORGE DFSW2 Dual Burner Forge – Best for Temperature Control
DEVIL-FORGE Gas Propane Forge DFSW2, 2 Burners DFP (160.000 BTU) use 1 or 2, Gas Ball Valve, Air Choke, Knife Making, Blacksmith, Farrier, 2500°F / 1370°C
160000 BTU DFP burners
6x4.8x16 inch interior
16 lbs
Air choke and ball valve
Pros
- Air choke and gas ball valve give real control
- Run one burner or both as needed
- Includes rigidizer powder and heat gloves
- POL CGA-510 connection fits US tanks
Cons
- Thin 21 gauge body steel
- Interior height drops to 3.2 inch with firebrick
- Small interior height for stacked billets
The DEVIL-FORGE DFSW2 is the most serious single purchase in the roundup, and the reason is control. It runs two DFP burners rated at 160,000 BTU combined, and each burner has an air choke. Choke the air and you change the flame pattern; open it and you get more volume. Combined with a gas ball valve, that is a genuinely wider control range than the fixed-flame kits above.
It is rated to 2500F, which is the lowest ceiling quoted in this roundup, and the listing is honest about that. It also stays genuinely portable at 16 pounds, with interior dimensions of 6 by 4.8 by 16 inches and a total height of 6 inches measured with the ceramic firebrick installed.
Insulation is where this design earns its keep. The interior is fully lined with 1 inch, or 25mm, ceramic blanket, and the forge bottom is 20mm firebrick for strength and durability. The full kit includes the forge, two connected burners, firebrick, tongs, heat resistant gloves, a gas pressure regulator with manometer in the 0 to 0.6 Mpa range, a 6.5 foot hose, two clamps, refractory rigidizer powder, a brush and a manual.
Reviews rate it 4.5 from 112 reviews with 69 percent five stars, and they single out the DFP burners, the flexibility of one or two burners, and the complete kit including rigidizer. The trade-offs are a 21 gauge body, which is thinner steel than the 16 gauge units in this roundup, a higher price point, and an interior height that drops to 3.2 inches once the firebrick is in place. That height matters more than it sounds for anyone planning to stack a billet.
Unlike the rest of this roundup, this listing carries no customer photographs at all, so there is nothing to judge the actual build and lining by. Spec sheets and owner reviews are all you have, which is a reason to ask the seller direct questions before you order.
Who the DEVIL-FORGE DFSW2 Suits Best
It suits a maker who has already forged on something else and now wants range, or who came from a charcoal setup and needs adjustability to replace the control a coal fire gave them. The choke and valve combination is the closest thing to a real burner control in this roundup.
It suits anyone who wants a fully lined chamber with rigidizer powder in the box, and it suits makers who move between indoor and outdoor work given the 16 pound weight.
Where the DEVIL-FORGE DFSW2 Falls Short
It falls short on body thickness and on interior height. A 21 gauge body is thin compared with the 16 gauge stainless units, so long term durability of the shell is the thing to watch. And a 3.2 inch interior height with firebrick installed is restrictive for stacked damascus work.
It also falls short for a buyer shopping purely on review count. At 112 reviews it has a smaller sample than the budget kits, though the build quality signals from the component list are better. iForgeIron members also point to Diamondback Ironworks as a respected, reasonably priced brand in this category, which is a useful signal about where the enthusiast end of this market sits.
9. MMasters 3 Burner Propane Forge Kit – Best Three Burner Value
MMasters 3 Burner Propane Blacksmith Forge Kit
Triple burner layout
1 inch insulation and firebrick
Single door design
Model M-F-3
Pros
- Three burners spread heat across larger work
- 1 inch insulation plus firebrick for protection
- Manufacturer sells replacement parts
- Rated to 2600F
Cons
- Weight and dimensions not published
- Door can restrict long workpiece access
- Newer brand with 97 reviews
The MMasters kit puts three burners into a mid-size footprint, and that is the trade it makes well. At 4.4 stars from 97 reviews with 70 percent five stars, the reputation is solid for a relatively new product, and the review themes are consistent: triple burner efficiency for larger projects, a single door that gives direct heat control, and insulation combining 1 inch of material with fire brick.
It is quick to set up, since you connect the gas hose and burner and go. Safety guidance in the listing is practical, including applying rigidizer to the ceramic fiber blanket and disconnecting the hose after use to prevent heat damage. Replacement parts are available through Amazon messages, which matters more than it sounds in a category where a missing burner can end your weekend.
The single door is the design choice to understand before you buy. It is convenient for controlling heat and for working on short pieces, but reviewers note that it can limit access for long workpieces. If you plan to forge long blades regularly, a two door layout gives you more working room at both ends.
One practical gap: weight and dimensions are not published in the listing, so you cannot plan your stand or your carrying strategy from the product page alone. Measure your intended space against the comparable triple burner units in this roundup before ordering, and ask the manufacturer for the figures if it matters to your setup.
Who the MMasters Kit Suits Best
It suits a maker who wants three burners of heat without moving up to the biggest chamber in the roundup. The triple burner layout is the reason to choose it, since it evens out chamber temperature across a wider area than a single burner can.
It suits buyers who care about parts support. A manufacturer that will sell you a replacement burner or burner part directly removes one of the most common early frustrations.
Where the MMasters Kit Falls Short
It falls short on published specifications. Undisclosed weight and dimensions are a real gap when you are planning a bench, a stand or a move.
It also falls short for long stock and for anyone who wants a second door. Single door access plus three burners is a good combination for medium work, but it is not the right layout for very long pieces or for holding two billets in a chamber at once.
10. E-cowlboy Triple Burner Forge – Best Warranty Backup
Triple Burners Portable Propane Gas Forge Three Burners 2700°F/1482℃ Large Capacity Square Forging Furnace for Blacksmithing Farrier Knife Tool Making Equipment with Tong & Gloves 2-Doors
13.14L chamber
160000 BTU triple burner
Dual doors
35.6 lbs
Pros
- 13.14L chamber with a 24 inch interior
- Twin doors hold heat in a long chamber
- Gear included with tongs gloves and 3 fire bricks
- 12-month warranty and 30 day return
Cons
- Newest design with only 36 reviews
- 9 percent 1-star ratings in early feedback
- 35.6 pounds limits portability
The E-cowlboy triple burner has the most detailed specification of any unit in this roundup. The chamber is 13.14 liters with interior dimensions of 5.8 by 5.8 by 24 inches, the burners total 160,000 BTU, and there are dual side doors. The listing also states a 12-month warranty and a 30-day money back guarantee, which is longer coverage than anything else here.
Heat control comes from an air choke valve and a gas ball valve, firing is vertical for even distribution, and the body is 0.15 inch roll-formed steel. The connection is POL CGA-510 brass for US tanks, the operating range is 1 to 25 PSI, and a 6.5 foot heavy duty high pressure hose is included along with heat resistant gloves, three fire bricks and 15.74 inch tongs.
The honest part of this review is the evidence. This design first became available in December 2025, so at 36 reviews it is the thinnest sample in the roundup by a wide margin. The distribution of ratings is also unusual: 68 percent five stars but 9 percent one star, a wider spread than a mature product usually shows. Early designs often carry both enthusiastic first impressions and a cluster of early complaints, and the pattern here suggests both.
The forge weighs 35.6 pounds, and the package dimensions are listed at 26 by 13 by 9.5 inches. It is also categorized oddly, showing up under Pet Supplies and Farrier Tools rather than a metalworking category, which is a listing detail worth knowing if you shop by department.
Who the E-cowlboy Triple Burner Suits Best
It suits a maker who wants a long chamber and cares most about the warranty period. A 12-month warranty with a 30-day return window is the strongest coverage in the group, and for a first significant purchase that matters.
It suits builders of large damascus billets and long blades, since a 24 inch chamber with three burners and two doors gives you the room and the heat distribution to work on scale.
Where the E-cowlboy Triple Burner Falls Short
It falls short on evidence. Thirty-six reviews and a December 2025 release date tell you very little about how the chamber and the burners behave after a few hundred hours, and the 9 percent one-star share is a signal to read the critical reviews carefully.
It also falls short for anyone who wants a proven, established design. There is no long-term reputation to lean on here, so treat the specification sheet as a promise and the early reviews as a hint, not as a verdict.
How to Choose a Propane Forge for Knife Making
Heat Chamber Size and Shape
Chamber size is the decision that determines what you can make, and it is the one you cannot change later without buying again. The practitioner rule of thumb repeated across the bladesmithing forums is 6 inch round horizontal or 8 inch round vertical for damascus billet work. Anything smaller is fine for shaping a tang or a small blade, and anything larger starts costing you propane you do not need.
Map your project to a number before you shop. A single stock-removal knife with a bar section of roughly 1 inch needs very little chamber. A 7 inch blade with a full tang needs room for the bar plus clearance on each side. A bowie or a stacked damascus billet needs the 6 to 8 inch figure. Write the largest bar you plan to put in the forge, then add two inches of clearance in every direction, and that is your minimum interior.
Shape matters too. Oval and round chambers move heat around the work in a circle, which evens out temperature. Rectangular chambers give you a wider door opening and better access for long pieces. Vertical firing inside a horizontal chamber is a common design and it improves heat distribution along the length.
Burner Type: Venturi, Blown and Sidearm
A venturi burner uses a constricted tube to pull in air and mix it with propane, and it runs on regulator pressure alone with no electricity. That is why nearly every forge in this roundup is a venturi design. The trade is range: a venturi at a fixed pressure tends to settle into one flame pattern.
A blown burner adds a powered blower, which widens the control range considerably and lets you run very low heats. The cost is complexity and a power cord. A sidearm burner fires from the side and is valued in horizontal chamber designs for its flame path. One practitioner running a horizontal tube forge reports running it near 1 psi for low heats and cranking to roughly 10 psi for welding using a number 59 jet, which is the real range a venturi setup with an adjustable regulator gives you.
For knife making, a venturi with an adjustable regulator is the right default. Add a blower only when you need very fine low-heat control or when you are working with larger stock.
Temperature Control and the Regulator
Buy an adjustable regulator with a pressure gauge and treat it as part of the forge, not an accessory. Several of the forges here come with a fixed or cheap regulator, and reviewers on more than one of them report the included regulator freezing up or failing. A gauge also turns temperature into something you can repeat, which is what makes consistent forging possible.
Understand what the rated temperature does and does not mean. Almost every listing here quotes 2500F to 2700F, and that is a rated ceiling measured at the burner, not a guaranteed working surface inside a partially lined chamber. The honest test is whether you can get a bar to bright orange or yellow-white, not whether a number appears on a page.
On scale, expect more of it from propane than from charcoal. A gas forge runs with excess air and burns fuel, so oxide forms. Keep your hammer scale and wire brush close, and clean the chamber floor regularly so flakes do not work their way into your handle material.
Refractory Insulation and Firebrick
This is where most first-time buyers get caught. Every forum thread we read made the same point: the included firebrick is minimal, flux attacks the lining, and you need spare firebrick from the first day. Budget for a full replacement set before your first forging session rather than after.
Understand the layers. Fire brick is the hard, structural layer that takes the mechanical abuse and the impact of scale. Ceramic fiber blanket, sold under names like kaowool or inswool, is the soft insulating layer that holds heat. Rigidizer is a cement you brush onto the blanket so it hardens into a usable surface. Skipping the rigidizer step is the most common reason a capable forge underperforms.
Check the thickness of the insulation on any shortlist. Several of the forges here specify 1 inch of blanket, and 30mm appears on the VEVOR. Thinner insulation means faster heat-up and higher fuel consumption, which is a reasonable trade for a portable design and a poor one for a dedicated workshop forge.
Propane Runtime and Session Planning
How long a tank lasts depends almost entirely on how much chamber volume you are heating and how long you hold it at temperature. A single burner small forge running short sessions will use far less than a triple burner unit held at welding heat for an hour, so no single runtime figure fits every forge in this roundup. Plan on refilling well before you run out rather than assuming one cylinder covers a week of hobby work.
The practical advice from experienced makers is to shut the burners off the moment you stop forging rather than idling at temperature. Idle time at high heat is the most expensive gas you will ever burn, and a manual valve at the manifold lets you stop completely between heats.
Keep a second cylinder on hand and swap rather than running a tank dry. An unexpected refill is an easy way to end a session early.
Safety Gear to Buy With Your Forge
An adjustable regulator with a gauge. Not optional, and the most common thing missing from a kit.
A metal braided propane hose rated for the pressure, with the correct connectors for your cylinder type.
A lever or ball shutoff valve at the forge manifold so you can kill gas without walking to the tank.
A working fire extinguisher within reach of the forge, not stored in a cabinet across the shop.
Heat rated gloves and long tongs sized to the chamber door opening.
Quenching oil or a polymer quenchant in a metal container, plus a fireproof surface to set it on.
Eye protection and a face shield for scale and sparks.
Ventilation. Work outdoors or in a garage with the door fully open. Never run a propane forge in a closed space.
On the specific fear that propane forges explode, the practitioner consensus is reassuring. A blower failure does not detonate anything, it simply produces a large flame out of the forge doors. Knifemakers get burned, and no one gets blown up. Hose failures are also essentially unheard of, with hoses lasting well over a decade in service, and replacing on a ten year cycle is a sensible practice. Mesh shielded hose is available for setups where the hose sits close to the forge.
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and your local fire codes, and if you are unsure about a connection, have it checked.
Should You Just Build Your Own?
This is the most common piece of advice in every thread on the topic, and it deserves a straight answer. Most experienced smiths say build your own if you have the time. One long-running forum thread recommends a build kit from a refractory supplier or a do-it-yourself build using a pre-built burner, which keeps the parts cost moderate once the burner itself is included.
What you gain from building is control: you choose the chamber diameter to match the work you actually do, you choose the burner, and you can fit a blowpipe and a proper hinged door. What you give up is warranty support, and you take on fabricating, lining, and safety wiring.
The middle path most people take is the one in this roundup: buy a kit with a known burner and line it properly yourself. That gets you a serviceable chamber and a working regulator without building a shell from pipe. If you have your heart set on one project, like a specific bowie profile, our bowie knife history is worth a read before you size the chamber.
Propane Forge vs. Charcoal Forge for Knife Making
Most beginners arrive at propane from charcoal, and the switch is usually the right one. A charcoal forge gives you a neutral atmosphere you can work in, and experienced blacksmiths can control it beautifully. What it costs you is time. A coal fire takes an hour to come up, needs constant management, produces ash and clinker, and a beginner spends the first year learning fire management instead of learning steel.
A propane forge comes to forging heat in minutes, has one or two controls, and lets you concentrate on the metal. For stock removal knives, pattern welding and anything with a schedule attached, that speed is worth more than atmosphere. Our list of the best forge kits for hobbyists covers a few entry points if you want a ready-made setup rather than a bare forge.
There is one real argument for charcoal: if you want to learn to control an atmosphere, learn it on a coal fire, because the skill transfers to every other heat source. But that is a second-forge decision, not a first-forge decision.
If you are building a full first kit, our beginner knife making kit roundup covers the grinder, vise and finishing side, and leather sheath kits handle the last step once the blade is done.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the disadvantages of using a propane forge?
The main drawbacks are coarse heat control compared with a charcoal fire, no neutral or reducing atmosphere so you always get scale, ongoing costs for propane and consumable firebrick, a fixed chamber size you cannot grow out of, and real safety requirements including ventilation, a rated hose, a working regulator and a fire extinguisher. For most knife makers the speed advantage outweighs every one of these.
How long does a 100lb propane tank last for forging?
It depends on chamber volume and how long you hold heat. A small single burner forge run in short sessions uses far less than a triple burner unit held at welding temperature. The single biggest saving is shutting burners off completely between heats instead of idling. Keep a second cylinder so an unexpected refill never ends a session early.
What is the best propane forge for beginners?
The Simond Store single burner portable forge is our top pick for a first propane forge, with a 10 by 4 by 2.75 inch chamber, a 24.7 pound weight and the largest review base in the group at 650 reviews. If you want to attempt damascus immediately, the ATkrou 1 burner kit is the budget route to genuine welding heat.
What is the best shape for a propane forge?
For damascus, practitioners quote 6 inch round horizontal or 8 inch round vertical heat chambers as workable minimums. Oval and round chambers move heat around the work for even temperature, while rectangular chambers give a wider door opening for long pieces. Choose based on the largest bar you plan to use, plus clearance on every side.
Who makes the best propane forge?
In this roundup, DEVIL-FORGE stands out for component quality with DFP burners, an air choke and a ball valve for real control. Simond Store offers the widest range from a portable single burner to a large triple burner chamber. On the enthusiast forums, Diamondback Ironworks is frequently cited as a respected, reasonably priced brand to watch.
What are people saying about the VEVOR propane forge?
Owners report reaching working heat in about three minutes, with 71 percent of its 602 reviews at five stars and an overall 4.4 rating. The most common notes are praise for the pre-assembled design and 30mm dual-layer insulation, with complaints limited to needing extra refractory cement for heavy use and only two fire bricks being included.
Are propane forges good?
Yes, with conditions. They heat in minutes rather than an hour, need no fire management skill to use, and handle everything from heat treating to forge welding heat with a good regulator. The conditions are that you accept scale, buy a proper adjustable regulator, replace the included firebrick early, and always work outdoors or in a well ventilated garage.
Our Verdict on the Best Propane Forges for 2026
After weighing all ten units, the Simond Store single burner portable forge is our pick as the best propane forge for knife making, because it combines the largest review base in the category with a chamber big enough for real knife work and a 24.7 pound weight you can move by yourself. Buy the ATkrou 1 burner kit instead if your first goal is damascus on a smaller budget, and step up to the Simond Store triple burner when you are forging long blades and stacked billets.
Whatever you choose, buy an adjustable regulator with a gauge, order a spare stack of firebrick, coat your ceramic fiber with rigidizer, and set the forge up outdoors or in a garage with the door open. Those three steps matter more to how good your forge feels than the difference between two of the forges above.
Once you finish your first blade, the sheath is the next project, and our leather sheath kit roundup covers that. If you forge away from mains power, the propane heater guide covers keeping the shop workable in winter.