Advanced Knifemaking IIIThe focus will be on appropriate forging and heat treatment, handle construction, and on achieving a professional fit and finish in the final knife, all this using exclusively hand-tools. Unlike previous "Advanced Knifemaking" classes that we've offered, no power tools will be used.
Subjects covered will be:
forging the entire knife closely to shape
finish beveling
decorative file work (as desired)
etched texturing effects (as desired)
making the handle parts
making a guard and/or bolsters(as appropriate to the style of the knife)
assembling the knife
final fit and finish
How this class is structured:
The class will be conducted as a Directed Open Smithy, with each student choosing a style of blade and handle in consultation with Mr. Stainton.
Students will choose their own hours to fit their schedule over the course of the five days, but should expect to need at *least* 20 hours total, and thus should plan on being available during the day for at least 5 hours. Starting earlier in the week is a good plan, best to allow the possibility of extra time for unforeseen issues.
Once you've chosen the style of knife you wish to make, Shane will guide you through the steps you need to take, as you need to take them: Forging, filing, polishing, making and installing the handle.
Starting Monday afternoon, Shane will be available for instruction a total of 30 hours, day and evening, over the week. PHF staff will be available for Open Smithy time before and after Shane's instruction hours. See Open Smithy.
The student is expected to work on just one knife during this class, starting as early in the week as possible, and finishing before the weekend. Have we mentioned that you should start EARLY in the week? If not, let us bring that up now. Start EARLY IN THE WEEK!
Each student will choose their own hours, but should contact us in advance so we have a chance to manage the shop to avoid crowding.
As many as six hours a day, as many as six days. dates×
Students ought to have taken at least one of PHF's knife classes.
Or have some smithing experience and
a correct understanding of the difference between annealing, normalizing, hardening, and tempering.
Instructor(s): Shane Stainton
Shane lives and works with his fiance Leslie in a small workshop in South Carolina. He has worked as a full time smith for the last 6 years, specializing in knife making. He learned his rudiments with Steve Gurzler and soon joined other smiths at Fort Klock, an 18th century historic site in upstate NY as a smith in residence. He now lives in South Carolina. From early spring to late fall they travel the Renaissance fair circuit as blacksmiths and knife makers.
Fee: $600 for six days making one knife. By hand.
Maximum 8 students, two per forge
Gift Certificates for Advanced Knifemaking III are available.
Note: If you are redeeming a Gift Certificate, contact us directly, we will set it up with our registration partners.
Please wear proper clothing for visiting or working in the forge: closed toe shoes (preferably leather, preferably high-topped), natural fiber clothing, long pants that cover the tops of the shoes. Click here for more safety information.
This class is either: If you're interested in taking Advanced Knifemaking III and it's not on the calendar, please tell us using our Waiting-List Page.
Dates and Times:
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- not currently on our schedule,
- or we've fallen behind in our clerical duties and not entered it in the database.
If you found it on our calendar page, we are planning to offer it on that date.