Reddit mentions: The best safety aproons

I too was in your position just a few years back. Here is a list of my recommendations for the entry-level versions of the items you listed above as well as some other things I like to have handy.

• Hammer, $15; This hammer is cheap, it has a peen (for drawing out metal) and is... well... a hammer.
  
• Anvil, $60; This anvil is definitely a beginner anvil but it is what I used for two years until I upgraded. You can pick it up in most all Harbor Freight stores as I assume there is one in every state.
  
• Tongs, $15; This set of pliers will help with quite a few things the main being to hold the metal once heated. I know that these are not what one thinks about when they think "blacksmithing tongs" but I have used similar ones for the entire time I have forged due to their versatility.
  
• Apron, $25; I personally have not used this exact apron before but it is cheap and though not beautiful, it is functional and trust me, spending $25 now on this may very well save you 100 times that in hospital bills.
  
• Gloves, $20; These are the gloves I use at my forge and I can say that there is little to no loss of dexterity and they provide ample heat resistance.
  
• Forge; This is the one piece that deters people the most as it is the most expensive piece. The type of forge you get depends on your budget and your ability/aptitude for DIY work. Here are my recommendations for three different budget levels.
  

• High-End Budget; 2 Burner Blacksmith Forge $489.95
  
• Mid-Level Budget; 1 Burner Blacksmith Forge $350
  
• Entry-Level Budget; This Video will take you through the process of making a Coffee Can Forge. They are suitable for the entry level smith and can, if done right, be made for less than $150.
  
  Now for my personal suggestions;
  
  

• Grinder, $55; This Handy-Dandy little grinder is what I use for most all of my knife smithing. It is pretty cheap and a great entry-level piece of equipment.
  
• Metal, $5-$20; When you are starting off, I highly advise to start with the tool steel available at Home Depot and/or Harbor Freight because they are very cheap and you can stand to mess up without wasting expensive metal.
  
• This Book is what I began learning with and it comes packed with a number of starter projects to help you get started on learning basic skills as well as acting as a reference later on down the line.
  
  I hope this list helps and I wish you well on your journey in beginning Bladesmithing!
  
  
• O

Absolutely do not buy this apron for smithing. The features you want in a blacksmith apron are:

Leather, leather, leather...anything else will simply not last and may, as in the case of this apron, be dangerous.

Because leather, even split cowhide, is pretty heavy, do not buy an apron where the upper support goes around your neck. You want an over the shoulders strap system, not around the neck like this one. I am sorry to say that the apron offered to you by BeastmanCaravan is also an around the neck support system.

In the U.S. you can buy a split cowhide (suede) apron in a knee length with shoulder straps for under $40.00. A smooth leather apron will cost at least three times that, often more. The thickness of a leather apron will also vary quite a bit by manufacturer, and sometimes even within the offerings from a single manufacturer. For that reason alone it is best to buy one where you can handle the apron first. It is also sometimes difficult to tell from the ad on amazon exactly what kind of support system an apron uses. This one, for instance, does not show the strap system:

http://www.amazon.com/3836-Apron-Leather-24X36Dark-Brown/dp/B003GMDJ2A/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1459023581&sr=8-4&keywords=leather+apron

However, if you read the description it says:

cotton crossed back straps for comfort.

which means it is shoulder supported, not neck supported.

You have welding supply places all over England. Go shopping.

You do not need pants. I just use jeans, and the the apron over a jacket. Here is what I use:

Get one of these for sure.
http://www.amazon.com/3M-Face-piece-Reusable-Respirator-Assembly/dp/B000FTEDMM/ref=pd_bxgy_hi_img_y
+
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00328IAO0/ref=oh_details_o03_s02_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Gloves - I bought a few pairs. You will use them up at first, till you learn what not to hold on to :) http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000MRQAJG/ref=oh_details_o08_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Jacket has some options. Sleeves and an apron:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002AKIRIA/ref=oh_details_o06_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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http://www.amazon.com/Welding-Sleeves-Leather-Elastic-Resistant/dp/B002GI9A3C/ref=pd_sim_hi_48

or a plain jacket, but look around. This price on amazon seems high. You might be able to find something like this locally for less.
http://www.amazon.com/Hobart-770488-Leather-Welding-Jacket/dp/B002VECL3W/ref=pd_sim_hi_42

And I use this :http://www.amazon.com/Miller-Genuine-Leather-Indura-Welding/dp/B003IL2RCM/ref=sr_1_10?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1382001569&sr=1-10&keywords=miller+jacket

West Chester 7010 Heat Resistant Leather Apron, 24" Width x 42" Height, Tan https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007UU84LK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_Amu3xbEN1ANDX

I've had this one for a few years. I've only put it through light use, mostly when I heat treat my knives in a charcoal bed or my homemade propane forge. It works fine I have nothing bad to say about this. The pocket is kinda small I don't use it anyway. I hope this helped.

Also I must add, as a safety tip, always make sure that your work area is clean from glass debris. Meaning, constantly brushing the glass crumbs off your bench with a little whisk broom and steeping/vacuuming the floor. You'll need a thick apron too. You can make one out of jean material if you are handy and if not.... https://www.amazon.com/Hudson-Durable-Goods-Cross-Back-Adjustable/dp/B01E4DYQQM/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1549496591&sr=8-2-spons&keywords=work+apron&psc=1

Here’s a few I’m looking at

1 Extension cord

Reelworks Extension Cord Reel Retractable Polypropylene Heavy Duty Industrial 40 FT 14AWG 3C SJT Commercial Premium Grade Ultra Flexible Cable (S3) Triple Tap Connector Perfect for Indoor/Outdoor Use https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GJ7YRTC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_sMhlDb6HBZD0G


2 Shop Apron

Hudson Durable Goods - Heavy Duty Waxed Canvas Work Apron with Tool Pockets (Black), Cross-Back Straps & Adjustable M to XXL https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01E4DYQQM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_0KhlDb11R92E7

Here is a cheaper one on Amazon for normal sized people. I think it looks better too. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01E4DYQQM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_iUHhAbZ1H721T

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01E4DYQQM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_hNmYBb84MVVV7

I have this one and like it a lot. It's a bit heavy in the summer but holds up well.

Seems like even a quality one is still a bargain at 1/10th the price of OP.

http://www.amazon.com/Hobart-770548-Leather-Welding-Apron/dp/B002AKIRIA/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1367515958&sr=8-3&keywords=Leather+apron

I'm a big fan of the loftbrook apron. My wife and I both use it. I'm 6'2 and she's 5'1. It's got adjustable leather straps that allow us to both use it.

https://www.amazon.com/Waxed-Canvas-Heavy-Pockets-Adjustable/dp/B071P9LM7P

I have this one and it’s held up great. The waxing was a bit heavy but it broke in nicely.

I bought this one from Amazon because the ones we got at work are too cheap and not very durable. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079YSTNVX?psc=1

That sucks that your soap is wasted and you got burned :(

I don't know what lye concentration most people use, but I'm normally at 33%.

I've never soaped without goggles, but I have soaped without gloves and gotten batter on my fingers and have never had any burning sensation whatsoever. I soap near a sink, so I can always rinse my hands within a few seconds.

I admit I should probably wear gloves but I'm lazy since I've never been burned.

I don't soap with long sleeves because I would rather wash up in the sink right away than have to strip off my shirt.

A long rubberized apron is a great idea, especially for fifteen bucks.

http://www.amazon.com/3836-Apron-Leather-24X36Dark-Brown/dp/B003GMDJ2A/ref=pd_cp_hi_2

These will do the trick. https://www.amazon.com/Leather-Welding-Apron-Split-Leg/dp/B07QCNQ2QW?psc=1&SubscriptionId=AKIAILSHYYTFIVPWUY6Q&tag=duckduckgo-d-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B07QCNQ2QW