Backyard forge: knives, tools and hooks
Hand-forge small items like hooks, fire tools and knives in a home forge and sell them at markets and online.
- A$1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- From home
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
A small gas or coal forge and anvil set up in a shed or backyard, making smaller hand-forged goods such as hooks, fire pokers, bottle openers, garden tools and custom knives.
Your first three steps
- Book a beginner blacksmithing course or find a local smithing group to learn safe forging
- Set up a safe forge area with an anvil, hammers, tongs, ventilation and a fire extinguisher
- Make a small range of items and test them at a local makers' market or online shop
Who pays
Market shoppers, gift buyers, home cooks, campers, gardeners and people after a handmade piece.
How it makes money
Sell finished pieces at markets and online, and take small custom orders. Prices depend on the time and skill in each piece.
Skills that help
- Basic forging and heat control
- Metal finishing and sharpening
- Photography and simple online selling
Watch out for
- Check with your local council about home-based business rules, and about noise, smoke and fire risk in your area
- Check fire restrictions and total fire ban days with your state fire authority
- Public liability and product liability insurance, especially for knives and tools
- Check your state's rules on selling and carrying knives, including postage and online sales
- Burn, eye, hearing and fume risks: use proper protective gear and good ventilation
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: backyard forge: knives, tools and hooks
Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a backyard forge business?
Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $1,500 to $6,000, depending on your forge, anvil, tools and protective gear. Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $200 to $1,500, depending on what you make and where you sell.
What rules should I check before forging at home?
Check your council's home-based business rules, plus noise, smoke and fire risk. Also check fire restrictions and total fire ban days with your state fire authority, your state's knife selling and postage rules, and public and product liability insurance.
What skills and time do I need for a home forge side hustle?
Basic forging and heat control, metal finishing and sharpening, and simple photography for online selling all help. Estimates suggest at least around 6 hours a week, depending on how much you make and sell.
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