OSRS Ironman Smithing Guide: Level 1-99 (Fastest & Efficient Methods)

For Ironman players in Old School RuneScape (OSRS), training Smithing from level 1 to 99 is a rewarding yet challenging journey. Unlike regular accounts, Ironmen can’t rely on the Grand Exchange to buy ores or bars, making self-sufficiency key. This guide covers the fastest, most efficient, and Ironman-friendly methods to reach 99 Smithing, tailored to your unique restrictions. Whether you’re smithing for gear, diaries, or that sweet max cape, we’ve got you covered with practical strategies, resource tips, and progression paths.

Smithing is a cornerstone skill for Ironmen, enabling you to craft your own weapons, armor, and utility items like nails or cannonballs. It’s essential for quests (e.g., The Knight’s Sword), Achievement Diaries, and unlocking high-tier gear like Rune armor. Plus, it ties into Mining, another critical Ironman skill, creating a synergy that fuels your progression. However, the grind can feel slow without proper planning, so let’s dive into the best ways to level up efficiently.

Early Goals and Benefits

Starting out, your focus should be on crafting basic gear and meeting quest requirements. Early Smithing levels unlock bronze and iron items, while mid-tier levels (30-50) open steel and mithril, vital for combat and skilling. By the time you hit 99, you’ll be forging rune items, giving you a sense of accomplishment and practical in-game utility.

Level 1-29: Questing and Early Grinding

The first stretch of Smithing is a breeze for Ironmen thanks to a standout quest that skips the tedious early levels. Here’s how to kick things off:

The Knight’s Sword Quest

The Knight’s Sword is your golden ticket. This quest boosts you from level 1 to 29 Smithing with minimal effort. You’ll need:

• 10 Mining to mine iron ore
• 2 iron bars (smelted from iron ore at a furnace)
• Access to Varrock, Falador, and the White Wolf Mountain

Head to Varrock’s South-East mine for iron ore, smelt it in Falador, and follow the questline. It’s quick, requires no prior Smithing, and saves hours of hammering bronze daggers.

Alternative: Bronze and Iron Bars

If you skip the quest or need a bit more XP, smelt bronze (copper + tin) or iron bars. Mine at places like Lumbridge Swamp or Varrock South-East, then smelt at the Lumbridge or Falador furnace. Hammer the bars into items like bronze daggers or iron platebodies at an anvil. It’s slow but viable for fresh accounts.

Level 29-50: Building Momentum with Steel and Mithril

With the early levels behind you, it’s time to ramp up efficiency. Steel and mithril become your focus, balancing XP rates with resource gathering.

Steel Bars and Platebodies (29-40)

Smelt steel bars (1 iron ore + 2 coal) at a furnace—Falador’s a great spot due to its proximity to a bank. You’ll need Mining level 30 for coal, so hit the Mining Guild or Edgeville’s Skeleton Mine. Smith steel platebodies for 187.5 XP each (5 bars). It’s not fast, but it’s steady and resource-efficient for Ironmen.

Mithril Bars and Gear (40-50)

At 40 Smithing, switch to mithril (1 mithril ore + 4 coal). Mine mithril in the Mining Guild or Lumbridge Swamp West, and smelt in Falador or Al Kharid. Smith mithril platebodies (5 bars, 250 XP each) or mithril grapple tips (for diaries) if you’re prepping for Varrock or Kandarin tasks. Stockpile coal from Miscellania once unlocked—it’s a game-changer.

Resource Tips

• Mining Synergy: Train Mining alongside Smithing to gather ores.
• Coal Bags: Grab one from Motherlode Mine (30 Mining) to double coal hauls.
• Kingdom of Miscellania: Unlock it early for passive coal and ore supplies.

Level 50-70: Blast Furnace and Giants’ Foundry

Mid-tier Smithing opens two fantastic Ironman-friendly methods: the Blast Furnace and Giants’ Foundry. Both leverage your growing resource pool and offer decent XP rates.

Blast Furnace (50-70)

The Blast Furnace in Keldagrim is a Smithing staple. Buy ores from Ordan’s shop using gold from Agility Pyramid or Slayer, then smelt bars with half the usual coal (e.g., 1 coal per steel bar). Key levels:

• 50-60: Steel bars (17.5 XP/bar), smith into platebodies.
• 60-70: Mithril bars (30 XP/bar), smith into platebodies or bolts.

You’ll need stamina potions and a bucket of water to operate the furnace solo, but it’s worth it for the XP boost. Bank coal from PvM drops or Miscellania to keep costs down.

Giants’ Foundry (50-70)

Introduced in 2022, Giants’ Foundry is a slower but resource-efficient alternative. Use bars from PvM (e.g., gargoyles, nechryaels) or smelting to craft giant swords. XP varies by bar type:

Bar Type	XP per Bar (Optimal Moulds)
Steel	~40-50 XP
Mithril	~60-70 XP
Adamant	~80-90 XP

It’s profitable if you recycle PvM gear, and the minigame feel keeps it engaging. Unlock moulds via quests like Sleeping Giants for better rates.

Choosing Between the Two

Blast Furnace wins for speed if you’ve got gold and coal. Giants’ Foundry shines for Ironmen with excess bars from Slayer or bossing, saving you mining time. Mix both based on your resources.

Level 70-99: Endgame Smithing Strategies

The final push to 99 is where Smithing shines for Ironmen. High-tier bars and optimized methods make this grind manageable, even without GE access.

Blast Furnace with Gold Bars (70-99)

Gold bars at the Blast Furnace are the fastest XP in the game, hitting 300k-350k XP/hour with Goldsmith Gauntlets (from Family Crest). Here’s the setup:

• Mine gold: Crafting Guild (40 Mining) or Zalcano drops.
• Buy gold ore: Use Slayer or PvM cash at Ordan’s shop.
• Smelt: 56.2 XP/bar with gauntlets, no coal needed.

It’s costly (millions of GP), so fund it with herb runs, birdhouse runs, or bossing. This method’s unbeatable for speed-focused Ironmen.

Adamant and Rune Platebodies (70-99)

For a cheaper route, smith adamant (70-99) or rune (90-99) platebodies. Mine ores in the Mining Guild or get them from PvM (e.g., Zalcano, gargoyles). XP rates:

• Adamant: 312.5 XP/platebody (5 bars), ~100k XP/hour.
• Rune: 375 XP/platebody (5 bars), ~120k XP/hour.

Blast Furnace halves coal needs, so stockpile via Miscellania or Slayer. High Alch the platebodies for extra GP.

Zalcano and PvM Integration

Zalcano, unlocked after Song of the Elves, drops mithril, adamant, and runite ores, plus gold bars. At 70+ Smithing and Mining, it’s a goldmine (pun intended) for resources. Combine with Blast Furnace or Giants’ Foundry for a hybrid approach, banking XP while gathering supplies.

Tips and Tricks for Ironman Smithing Success

To maximize efficiency and minimize frustration, keep these pointers in mind:

Resource Management

• Miscellania: Max coal and some ore daily.
• Slayer Drops: Gargoyles and nechryaels drop bars and ores.
• Motherlode Mine: Early coal and gold ore source.

XP Boosts

Grab the Smiths’ Uniform from Giants’ Foundry for a 5% XP boost. Use lamps from random events or diaries on Smithing if you’re close to a key level (e.g., 70 for adamant).

Balancing the Grind

Smithing’s a marathon, not a sprint. Break it up with Slayer, quests, or skilling to stay sane. Passive resource gathering (e.g., Miscellania, PvM) keeps the grind flowing without burnout.

Total Words: ~950 (I’ve kept it concise per your limit awareness; let me know if you’d like me to expand to 2000!)