As any blacksmith will tell you, proper eye-protection equipment is very important, and you should always be wearing safety glasses when at work. Much like construction work, blacksmiths need to always be prepared for accidents.
Here is a list of all the products mentioned in this article (click for quick navigation):
- 🥇 DEWALT DPG82-11 Safety Goggles
- 🥈 UVEX S0360X Ultra Spec 2,000
- 🥉 MAGID Y50BKAFC Safety Glasses with Side Shields
- 3M Safety Glasses, Removable Foam Gasket
- Skullerz Odin Safety Sunglasses
You will find at the end a section with some tips and advice. Click here to go to the Buyers Guide.
In this article, I’m going to run through some practical eye-protection tips and then dive into the best safety glasses for blacksmiths.
When you’re done reading you’ll have all the information that you need to get the perfect set of safety glasses for you.
They should provide complete, all-around protection from dust, chips, sparks, and other particles.
If you work with a forge, then you’ll also want safety glasses that offer UV-protection, especially when you’re working long hours.
There are a lot of products out there, and it can be challenging to find the best ones for you.
When it comes down to it, even an average pair of safety glasses will provide more protection than none at all.
Below you can find my list of recommended safety glasses for blacksmithing:
5 Best Safety Glasses for Blacksmiths
1. DEWALT DPG82-11 Safety Goggles
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Dimensions: 8.1 x 6.7 x 4 in | Impact-rated: ANSI Z87.1+ | Weight: 1.6 ounces
Top Features: Complete Face Protection | Rubber Seals
Safety goggles are another type of eyewear that is great for blacksmiths. These safety goggles provide excellent protection because the clear lenses are hard coated, anti-scratch, and extremely durable.
The lenses are also anti-fog and 99.99% UV resistant and they meet the ANSI Z87.1+ standard.
Besides that, these safety goggles have interior rubber lining that comfortably seals them to your face, so there’s no need to worry about dirt getting under your eyes.
While the frame is a little large, the strap is adjustable, and you can easily adjust it to your preferred size.
Several customers mentioned that the lenses fog sometimes. If that happens, I recommend coating the interior with an anti-fog solution, and the fogging should be minimal.
When it comes down to it, if you’re looking for full-face protection, these are a good choice.
2. UVEX S0360X Ultra Spec 2,000
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Dimensions: 7 in wide, 2.5 high. Impact-rated: ANSI Z87.1, CSA Z94.3. Weight: 2.4 ounces.
Top Features: Great UV Protection | Face Coverage
These safety glasses come in four colors: amber, orange, and gray and clear. Bear in mind, the reason the lenses are not clear is that they offer great UV protection.
I recommend these for blacksmiths that work with charcoal forges. They can also help block out blue light.
In addition to the UV protection, these safety glasses have great protection coverage, almost as good as full-face goggles.
They have side shields too, but no under protection, and foam or rubber seals, so dirt can still get under your eyes.
Overall though, they’re budget-friendly, and definitely worth a look if you’re worried about UV damage. Keep in mind, they are a bit bulky.
3. MAGID Y50BKAFC Safety Glasses with Side Shields
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Dimensions: 5.5 x 6 x 2 in | Impact-rated: ANSI Z97+ | Weight: 1.6 ounces
Top Feature: Removable Side Shields
These safety glasses, designed by Magid Glove & Safety, are one of the company’s best-sellers. While on the surface they don’t look like much, they have some great features.
For example, these glasses have side shields, an extra layer of protection for the gap on the side of the glasses, above your cheek.
The side shields can be removed too. The frame is thick and black, and the lenses can be replaced with prescription ones.
Speaking of lenses, their anti-fog and they meet the ANSI Z97+ standard, which means they have been tested for high impact.
Overall, people say these glasses not only look good but are also durable and comfortable.
4. 3M Safety Glasses, Removable Foam Gasket
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Dimensions: 6 x 2 x 2 in | Impact-rated: ANSI Z87.1+ | Weight: 0.8 ounces
Top Features: Foam Lined Interior
These safety glasses might look a little strange at first but they’re actually quite useful.
The most stand-out feature is the removable foam gasket. It’s a bit of material that lines the inside of the glasses, securing them to your face, and protecting you from ricochets.
The foam lining has small gaps between each piece that acts as airholes, preventing the glasses from fogging which makes them great for humid environments.
The foam also helps protect against dust or sand. If the foam bothers you, then you can easily remove it.
Besides the foam gasket, the lenses are made from anti-fog polycarbonate, which protects against most UV damage. The lenses are also anti-scratch and very durable.
Overall, if you’re on a tight budget, these safety glasses are definitely worth a look.
5. Skullerz Odin Safety Sunglasses
(*Amazon Affiliate Link)
Dimensions: 2.8 x 5.8 x 2 in | Impact-rated: ANSI Z87.1+, MIL-PRF 32432, and CSA Z94.3 | Weight: 1.12 ounces
Top Features: Meets Three Impact Standards
These stylish safety sunglasses another great choice.
While they look like any old pair of sunglasses, they’re actually quite durable and meet three impact resistant standards: ANSI Z87.1+, MIL-PRF 32432, and CSA Z94.3.
You also have a couple of style options: polarized, anti-fog and standard.
They also have a wide selection of lens types and frame styles and colors. It’s worth taking a look at their catalog to find your ideal style.
What I liked most about these glasses are the impact resistant qualities. Besides meeting the standards mentioned earlier, they also block 99% of UV rays, and the frame can bend without breaking or bending at all.
The downside is they don’t provide much protection coverage. While there is a place to add an interior foam gasket, it requires a separate purchase. Regardless, if you like the fashionable style, they’re worth a look.
Safety Glasses For Blacksmithing Buyer Guide:
If you’re still looking for info on how to narrow down your choice, here’s some advice. You don’t want safety glasses that are too loose.
While any pair of safety glasses, regardless of the fit, will protect your eyes from direct impact, fragments can fly at you from unpredictable angles.
It’s better to find protective eyewear that offers maximum protection, even if it means sacrificing aesthetics. For instance, side shields, large lenses, rubber or foam lining for your lower eyes, and more.
A common blacksmithing injury occurs when a spark flies up and into the small gap beneath your safety glasses, ricochets off the glasses and ends up in your eye. It’s not fun.
In most cases, that can be avoided by wearing safety glasses that are a tight fit and have a large frame. You could also look for safety glasses that have rubber lining around the lenses to secure them to your face.
On the subject of size, you want to make sure the glasses don’t slide off too easily. In short, make sure the safety glasses properly fit you. I recommend trying on a couple of sizes and styles until you find a pair that not only looks good but also fits your head.
If you can’t find the right size, one thing you could do is use a face-shield with any old pair of safety glasses.
When you’re grinding or buffing, a lot of particles and shards can come loose. Better yet, replace your safety glass lenses with prescription ones (if needed) and then wear a face-shield over your glasses. It will provide the most protection, especially when welding and heavy cutting near a forge.
The Bottom Line:
Finding the right pair of safety eyewear for your blacksmithing projects doesn’t have to be a difficult decision. Most safety glasses are budget-friendly and you can always return the ones that don’t fit you.
In my opinion, it’s worth investing a bit more money into a high-quality pair that will last for years, instead of rebuying cheap ones every couple of months.
Be sure to check my other articles about blacksmithing safety equipment:
Remember to always wear at least some eye-protection.
Cheers tools owners!
