You’ve convinced me to get a better forge. Fuel conservation and getting things hot fast are important to me and my Majestic is too big and wasteful. I emailed NC Tools regarding the Whisper Mamma and the Lowboy, since the latter got hotter faster, etc. They gave a helpful reply answering my questions about those and recommended looking at the Knifemaker 2 forge they have. She said it gets hotter than both the Whisper Momma and the Lowboy. The openings are also large. But wanting to do a lot of blacksmithing too, how much am I going the side door of the Momma? If you were purchasing again, would you still choose the Momma? Thanks.
(I’m just addressing this to Ben because he recommended the forge in the video. I’d be happy to hear anyone’s opinion.)
Jake Johnson
I should also point out that I am at a location where a coal forge isn’t feasible, so it isn’t an option for larger stuff.
Max Tran
I'm thinking most venturi forges will be more or less the same when it comes to fuel and temp efficiency, valve for valve. I've been eyeing https://darkstarforges.com/ and looking to move to a ribbon burner with forced gas. More moving parts and a hefty amount more money, but for me, I've been looking at forced gas so I can hook it up to a natural gas line that I've got. HouseMade has a ribbon burner kit too that's a bit less expensive. I can't speak to the actual gas usage savings, but forced gas setups are supposed to be a lot more efficient with its fuel, NG or propane from what I hear.
Jake Johnson
No worries. I appreciate the response. You know, before I'd seen propane forges called venturi forges I was actually planning out a forge that would use the actual venturi effect (meaning following the math in order to produce an optimized real-deal venturi burner). I had this hypothesis that a series of 1/2" (maybe even 1/4") black iron venturi burners into a small cylindrical forge would be very efficient and performant and possibly even more even-heating than what currently exists. Forced air accompaniment, I thought, may help even further. But this remains a thought experiment. I haven't done the math and currently have no way of creating a nozzle of a precise angle. I may never get to it, or I may find flaws when I dig deeper into the science—likely.
Talk about left field.
The ribbon burners are interesting.
At first I thought it had to be the Whisper Momma due to that side door and what looks like a great design; then I thought the lady talked me into the Knifemaker, but I haven't been able to get that side door's possibilities out of my head. I think I'm going to go for the Momma. It just looks right, in design and on paper. Thanks again for your reply! I'll certainly consider all these things.
Benjamin Abbott
I'm still a big fan of the Momma with the side door. That knifemaker forge is a little too specialized for me. I like making big axes and tools, and the versatility of that side door is crucial.
-Ben
Jake Johnson
Yeah. I agree. I thought she had talked me into the Knifemaker, but I can't get that side door out of my head—wanting also to make tools and large axes. I think the Whisper Momma is just the right thing for me right now. When I start making some money with my knives I can get the Knifemaker. I do like the specs and design. It is like taking the Majestics to the next level, to my mind.
I really appreciate the reply.
Jake Johnson
Hi,
Benjamin Abbott . About to pull the trigger on a forge. Can your Whisper Momma reach welding heat at 5 PSI? They advertise that for the three burner Knifemaker but none of the others, and fuel consumption matters to me. I have emailed them, but I know you have more firsthand experience with the Momma than their customer service reps do.
Jake Johnson
Heard back. You can ignore this if you want. For those interested, here was their response:
“The Knifemaker 21 is the only forge that will reach welding temperature at 5 psi. All the other forges take 6-8 psi.”