Ultimate OSRS Ironman Crafting Guide for Efficient Skilling
Crafting in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a versatile skill that Ironmen need to master for creating essential items like teleportation jewelry, armor, and birdhouses. As an Ironman, you’re restricted from using the Grand Exchange, making resource gathering and efficient training methods critical. This guide covers the best ways to train Crafting from level 1 to 99, tailored specifically for Ironman accounts, with tips to save time and resources while maximizing experience.
Crafting isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s a cornerstone for Ironman progression. From amulets of glory to dragonhide armor, this skill unlocks gear and utility items that streamline your journey. Since trading is off-limits, you’ll rely on gathering raw materials yourself, which makes choosing the right training methods crucial to avoid wasting time.
Key Items Unlocked by Crafting
- Amulet of Glory: Level 80, provides teleports to Edgeville, Karamja, Draynor Village, and Al Kharid.
- Slayer Ring: Level 75, essential for Slayer task teleports.
- Dragonhide Armor: Levels 57–84, offers solid ranged defense.
- Birdhouses: Level 89 for high-level birdhouses, boosting passive Hunter XP.
Challenges for Ironmen
Without access to the Grand Exchange, you’ll need to farm gems, hides, and other materials through combat, mining, or quests. This guide focuses on methods that balance XP gains with resource availability, ensuring you don’t burn out grinding for rare drops.
Early Game Crafting (Levels 1–40)
Starting your Crafting journey as an Ironman is straightforward but requires planning. Early levels focus on accessible materials like leather and gems, which you can gather without high-level requirements.
Questing for Quick Levels
Quests are a fantastic way to kickstart your Crafting XP without heavy grinding. Here are some beginner-friendly quests with Crafting rewards:
- Sheep Shearer: 150 XP, no requirements.
- Goblin Diplomacy: 200 XP, no requirements.
- The Fremennik Trials: 2,812 XP, requires level 40 Crafting (but can be a goal).
Completing these can push you to level 10–20 quickly, saving hours of manual training.
Leather Crafting
Leather is abundant and easy to gather. Kill cows in Lumbridge or near Burthorpe for cowhides, tan them at a tanner (Al Kharid is closest early on), and craft items at a Crafting table or with a needle and thread.
| Item | Level Required | XP per Item | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leather Gloves | 1 | 13.8 | Fastest early XP |
| Leather Boots | 7 | 16.3 | Good for variety |
| Leather Armor | 14 | 25 | Higher XP, more hides needed |
Tip: Bank cowhides until you have enough to tan in bulk. Use the Crafting Guild (level 40 required) for free tanning if you’ve unlocked it.
Gem Cutting
Gems are a decent alternative if you’re mining or have early Slayer tasks. Sapphires and emeralds drop from low-level monsters like goblins or through mining.
- Sapphire: Level 20, 50 XP per cut.
- Emerald: Level 27, 67.5 XP per cut.
Save uncut gems from drops or mine them at the Shilo Village gem rocks after completing the Shilo Village quest for better access.
Mid-Game Crafting (Levels 40–70)
Once you hit level 40, glassblowing becomes the go-to method for most Ironmen due to its low cost and high XP rates. You’ll also start crafting jewelry to prepare for endgame gear.
Glassblowing
Glassblowing is the backbone of Ironman Crafting training. You’ll need a glassblowing pipe (bought from shops like the one in Entrana) and buckets of sand and soda ash to make molten glass.
Step-by-Step Process:
- Collect buckets of sand from sand pits (e.g., Zanaris, Yanille, or Entrana).
- Gather soda ash by cooking seaweed on a range or fire (seaweed spawns on Entrana or can be fished).
- Smelt molten glass in a furnace (Al Kharid or Falador).
- Use the glassblowing pipe to craft items.
| Item | Level Required | XP per Item | Recommended Levels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beer Glass | 1 | 17.5 | 40–46 |
| Oil Lamp | 12 | 25 | 46–49 |
| Vial | 33 | 35 | 49–54 |
| Orb | 46 | 52.5 | 54–70 |
Pro Tip: Unlock the Lunar Diplomacy quest for the Superglass Make spell (level 77 Magic). It yields 1.3 molten glass per cast, saving time on gathering materials.
Jewelry Crafting
Start crafting rings, necklaces, and amulets for utility and XP. Gold bars are smelted from gold ore (mined or dropped by monsters), and gems enhance the XP and functionality.
- Gold Ring: Level 5, 15 XP (no gem).
- Sapphire Ring: Level 20, 40 XP.
- Emerald Necklace: Level 29, 60 XP.
Save jewelry for enchanting later (Magic training) to make teleportation items like rings of dueling or games necklaces.
Late-Game Crafting (Levels 70–99)
Reaching the late game opens up high-XP methods and valuable items. Glassblowing remains viable, but you’ll also focus on specific gear for combat and skilling.
Advanced Glassblowing
Continue glassblowing orbs or lanterns for steady XP. At level 87, you can craft light orbs (104 XP each), which are great if you’re banking glass for construction (light bulbs for player-owned houses).
Where to Gather Materials:
- Sand: Desert Quarry with buckets (use Desert Amulet for teleports).
- Seaweed/Soda Ash: Charter ships to buy seaweed or fish for it at Fossil Island.
Dragonhide Armor
Dragonhide armor is both a Crafting XP source and useful Ranged gear. Kill dragons (green, blue, red, or black) for hides, and use thread to craft:
| Item | Level Required | XP per Item | Hides Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green D’hide Body | 57 | 186 | 3 |
| Blue D’hide Vambraces | 66 | 70 | 1 |
| Black D’hide Body | 84 | 258 | 3 |
Tip: Combine dragonhide crafting with Slayer tasks for efficient hide collection.
Birdhouses for Passive Gains
At level 89, craft redwood birdhouses (120 XP each) for passive Hunter XP while training Crafting. Gather logs from Woodcutting and craft at Fossil Island.
Tips and Tricks for Efficient Crafting
Maximize your Crafting efficiency with these Ironman-specific strategies to save time and resources.
Resource Management
Stockpile materials early:
- Cowhides: Kill cows during early combat training.
- Gems: Mine or save Slayer drops.
- Seaweed: Fish at Fossil Island or buy from charter ships.
Use Managing Miscellania to passively gather seaweed and gems by assigning workers to fishing and mining.
Combining Skills
Train Crafting alongside other skills:
- Mining: Gather sand and gems.
- Slayer: Collect dragonhides and gems from tasks.
- Magic: Enchant jewelry for teleportation items.
Avoiding Common Mistakes
Don’t waste resources on low-XP methods past their useful levels (e.g., leather gloves beyond level 20). Plan your material gathering to avoid bottlenecks, like running out of soda ash mid-grind.
With this guide, you’re equipped to train Crafting efficiently as an OSRS Ironman. Focus on glassblowing for consistent XP, quest early for free levels, and craft high-value items like dragonhide armor and jewelry to support your account’s progression. Happy skilling!