Open Smithy- PHF

Open Smithy
A time to do your own things

This is a chance to use your blacksmithing knowledge to work on your own projects or continue on a project begun in a class.

You are expected to have some idea about what you are doing (including cleaning the forge, lighting it, and putting it out), this is not a teaching situation.

There will be a monitor whose job it is to help keep you and the tools safe, and to know where stuff is, but the monitor is not expected to be any more helpful than that, it sometimes happens, but it's not to be expected.

If you would like to reserve a forge in a scheduled Open Smithy session, please scroll down to the date that interests you and click where it says "Click Here".

Sometimes there are classes that are marked "(space available)" on the calendar, which means that there's an open forge at which you could work on your projects whilst we conduct a class around you.
Contact us directly if you are interested in one of those times.
(Because of the need to occasionally stop everyone hammering, we'll be appropriately generous with the accounting of OS time.)

Note: We have stock for purchase, we have some 3/8"square scrap bits for practice, or you can bring your own.
Further Note: No plated or galvanized material is to be put in forges at Prospect Hill Forge.

Also Note:
If you just show up or wait until the last minute to sign up, you're taking a chance that no one else reserved and we decided to sleep in/go sailing/go dancing, OR that lots of people reserved and there's no room for you.

Gift Certificates for Open Smithy are available.

Hours vary. See below. dates&times

Instructor: PHF Staff
$25 per hour 1 hr minimum 10%-off 10-hour-package discount available ($225) (+$10 cash for the forge-fire lesson if needed) per student
Maximum 4 students, one per forge

Prerequisite:

Required: A rapid Covid test that day.
Yes, really, we're still asking for it in 2025.
It's still out there, and no fun at all.

Some smithing experience expected.
Ability to clean, light, run, and take down a coal forge required. If you need to be taught these things, there is an additional $10 fee.
This video might help.
If you haven't taken a class with us in the past, when you register please tell us a little about your smithing experience in the comment field.

Please wear proper clothing for visiting or working in the forge:
closed toe shoes (preferably leather, preferably high-topped. Sneakers are sufficient, sandals, crocs, pumps, mules... are not), natural fiber clothing, long pants that cover the tops of the shoes.
Click here for more safety information.

Dates and Times:
If none of the dates below work for you (or are already full), we suggest you
Add yourself to the Notification List for this class.
(The notification list gets emailed soon after classes are put on the schedule.)

Thursday, January 16
6:30pm to 9:30pm
(2025 - 2024) - TENTATIVE -
No volunteer monitor has signed up for this session, yet. As the date grows closer, there probably will be one.
You can reserve a space (and doing so might help inspire a monitor to sign up), but on the day, please check back here to be sure it's happening before you make the trip.