OSRS Smithing Guide 1–99: Blast Furnace and Giants’ Foundry

Why Smithing 1–99 Still Matters

Bils Services offers hand-done Smithing training if you would rather outsource the grind. This article stays educational first — use the service link only if it fits your plan.

We have not put XP per hour or supply costs in this guide. Smithing rates move whenever Jagex adjusts a method, and the cost of the smithing supplies below moves with the Grand Exchange — a frozen number here would mislead you into budgeting the wrong bank. The OSRS Wiki carries live figures.

Smithing 1–99 Level Path

Smithing breaks into 5 stages between level 1 and 99. Start at "1–40: quest XP (The Knight’s Sword etc.) + early smelting" and read the list as a default rather than a rule — if your goal is Blast Furnace rather than Giants’ Foundry, the later stages are where you should deviate.

1. 1–40: quest XP (The Knight’s Sword etc.) + early smelting
2. 40–70/80: Blast Furnace gold bars or alternative ores
3. Giants’ Foundry: strong XP + unique gameplay from mid levels upward
4. High: platebodies / cannonballs (money) / BF addy/rune depending on prices
5. End: compare BF vs Foundry weekly by GE prices

Fastest XP Methods

Blast Furnace gold bars with goldsmith gauntlets is the iconic fast path.

Giants’ Foundry can rival or beat comfort XP depending on moulds and alloys.

Highest XP often means accepting a GP sink.

Cheapest / Budget Approach

Cannonballs are slow XP, steady GP.

Foundry can reduce the sting of Smithing costs while staying decent XP.

Always recompute ore→bar→item margins after GE swings.

AFK & Lower-Intensity Options

BF is semi-AFK with good ice gloves/coal bag setup — not fully AFK.

Foundry is an active minigame loop.

If you need AFK, Smithing may be a bad session choice vs Mining/WC.

Practical Tips That Actually Matter

• Coal bag, ice gloves, and graceful/weight management are part of BF rates.
• Complete Giant Dwarf / quests that unlock BF comfort.
• Do not buy 10k gold ore without checking current XP/GP sheet.

Ironman Notes

Smithing on an Ironman is downstream of Mining, and the ore you need depends entirely on which method you pick — some want coal in bulk, some want bars you smelt yourself. Decide the method first, then mine for it, or you will bank the wrong ore in quantity.

Smithing also produces things an iron genuinely needs rather than sells: darts, bolts, armour for early PvM. That makes it one of the few skills where the by-products justify a slower method.

When Paid Training Makes Sense

The case for buying Smithing rests on what it is blocking. The grind here is mostly a buying-and-clicking exercise, so there is very little you learn by doing it yourself. That makes it a reasonable thing to hand over — and a bad one to hand over before you have priced the materials, since those are usually the larger bill.

If you do order it, the thing to specify is the route as well as the level range: Blast Furnace and Giants’ Foundry are different jobs on this skill, with different timelines and different supply bills for the same 99. Our Smithing page lists what we need from you, and the work is played rather than botted.

FAQ

BF or Foundry to 99?

BF gold for classic speed; Foundry for engagement + often better GP/XP. Many players mix.

Are cannonballs worth it?

For money and ironmen ammo — yes. For 99 speed — no.

Final Takeaway

Browse Smithing training, more skill guides, or the full blog for related progression help.