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Mike - 617 230 9572 or Carl - 781 608 0900
PROSPECT HILL FORGE offers several types of classes and other activities.
Gift Certificates are also available for all classes.
Our class list is also available broken out into categories by type.
Advanced Knifemaking
 This will be a three day class in which we explore the proper making of a knife, its fittings, and the final finish of the work. We will make a clip point hunting knife with a guard and pommel, with a wooden grip.
Subjects covered will be:
forging the entire knife closely to shape (i.e. the tang, bolster shoulders, and blade)
edge quenching for hamons
finish beveling
decorative file work
making a guard and slotting it for the blade
making a handle
making a pommel
assembling the knife
final fit and finish.
We will also discuss other basic blade profiles and handle styles such as 'slab handled' and 'built handled'.
Day one will be the forging to shape, filing, heat treatment of the blade, and the forging of fittings
Day two will be initial finish work, assembly, fit, and final finish.
Day three will be the making of a sheath and whatever finishing work the knife might still require. 20 hours -- two 8 hour meetings and one 4 hour meeting Tuition $600. The materials fee for this class is still to be determined. We expect it to be less than $50 total. Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Advanced Knives  The class will be conducted as a Directed Open Smithy, with each student having a choice of making:
1) a Scottish Dirk
2) a Cook's Knife
3) a Gentleman's Bowie
If none of these styles catch your fancy and you have a specific blade or handle style you want to try, feel free to contact Shane ahead of class to discuss other possibilities. He can be reached at knives(at)forgedknives.net
The focus will be on appropriate forging and heat treatment, and on achieving a professional "fit and finish" in the final piece.
Subjects covered will be:
forging the entire knife closely to shape
(i.e. the tang, bolster shoulders, and blade)
edge quenching to create a hamon
finish beveling
decorative file work
etched texturing effects
making a guard and slotting it for the blade (bowie and dirk)
making and installing the bolsters (chef's knife)
making the handle parts
assembling the knife
final fit and finish.
How this class is structured
This class will be run as a Directed Open Smithy with hours available in the morning, afternoon, and evening Monday evening through Friday evening. (At present we do not expect to be available on the weekend.)
You will choose your own hours. It's possible to get through the class using only evening hours, but it would be wise to include at least some daytime hours in your plan. Starting earlier in the week is, in general, a good plan, to allow the possibility of extra time for unforeseen issues.
Each student will choose the style of knife they wish to make.
Shane will guide you through the steps you need to take, as you need to take them; Forging, grinding, polishing, making and installing the handle.
Each of these knife styles ought to take the relative novice between 16 and 24 hours to complete. Plan on spending at least 16 hours over the course of the week. Starting earlier in the week is better!
The smithy will be open a total of 50 hours, day and evening, over the week, starting Monday evening.
The student is expected to work on 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?
Each student will choose their own hours, but should contact us in advance so we can manage the shop to avoid crowding. Tuition: $600 for one knife over the week Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Advanced Knives II The class will be conducted as a Directed Open Smithy, with each student having a choice of making:
1) a Scottish Dirk
2) a Cook's Knife
3) a Gentleman's Bowie
4) some other style of knife of comparable complexity
If none of the first three styles catch your fancy and you have a specific blade or handle style you want to try, contact us ahead of class to discuss the possibilities. We can be reached at office(at)prospecthillforge.com
The focus will be on appropriate forging and heat treatment, and on achieving a professional "fit and finish" in the final piece.
Subjects covered will be:
forging the entire knife closely to shape
(i.e. the tang, bolster shoulders, and blade)
edge quenching to create a hamon
finish beveling
decorative file work
etched texturing effects
making a guard and slotting it for the blade (bowie and dirk)
making and installing the bolsters (chef's knife)
making the handle parts
assembling the knife
final fit and finish.
How this class is structured
This class will be run as a Directed Open Smithy with hours available in the afternoon and evening Monday evening through Friday evening.
You will choose your own hours. It's possible to get through the class using only evening hours, but it would be wise to include at least some daytime hours in your plan. Starting earlier in the week is, in general, a good plan, to allow the possibility of extra time for unforeseen issues.
Each student will choose the style of knife they wish to make.
Shane will guide you through the steps you need to take, as you need to take them: Forging, grinding, polishing, making and installing the handle.
Each of these knife styles ought to take the relative novice between 16 and 24 hours to complete. Plan on spending at least 16 hours over the course of the week. Starting earlier in the week is better!
The smithy will be open a total of 30 hours, day and evening, over the week, starting Monday evening.
The student is expected to work on 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?
Each student will choose their own hours, but should contact us in advance so we can manage the shop to avoid crowding. Tuition: $600 for one knife over the week Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Afterschool Smithing Covering the same material as our Rudiments series, these classes meet once a week during the traditional after-school 3-5 time of day (though hours are flexible; do call if you need something a little different), skipping school holidays, and generally being aimed at middle-school and high-school age teens.
Being enrolled in a traditional school program is NOT necessary—home-schoolers are welcomed—nor is being a teen—adults whose schedule fits these classes are also welcome.
Cost varies depending on exact schedule, but is typically in the $55-%75 per week range. Courses run 5-8 weeks. Registration is handled on a rolling admission basis; once enough students have registered to fill a class, the class starts. Blacksmithing provides a number of benefits to a teen, including those typical of any manual art: improved hand-eye coordination, increased self-confidence, exposure to and training in aesthetic decisions. 2-3 hours per session; 5-8 meetings per course. $60-$105/week, depending on class length and other variables. Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Aluminum Casting with the Coal Forge  We'll be exploring the aluminum casting technique known as 'The Foam Vaporization Method' or 'Lost Foam'.
A model is made of styrofoam, buried in loose dry sand, and poured with molten aluminum. We'll be using our coal forges and mostly scrounged materials to cast some number of small items during the class and in Open Smithy afterward.
If you want to make a model or two to try casting during or after the class:
Make it out of styrofoam. Either the chunky bead foam or the 'solid' stuff; the blue and pink insulation foams work well, so do foam meat trays and restaurant take-home containers. Styrofoam cups work. You can use rubber cement, double-face tape, even cellophane tape and masking tape to hold parts together. Keep in mind that the final casting will be somewhat smaller than the model you make
For the purpose of the class I would recommend that your model be no larger than roughly 2" diameter and 3" long.
Until you have some idea what you're doing with this technique (which is what this class is for) I wouldn't recommend investing _lots_ of time in a highly detailed model unless, of course, you're doing it as a test.
It is fairly easy to get fine detail on one side, maybe two of your model, the opposite sides, not so much. 2 hours, one meeting $35 (part of our Sundays at the Forge series) Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Applied Ironcarving Workshop  If you've made a dragon head, maybe in Rudiments II or Ironcarving, here's a chance to do it again larger, better, with more detail, already having some idea of what you're doing. We'll be focusing on achieving aesthetic success with forging and carving techniques you already know. The learning part of this class will be more about the 'where' and 'why' and less about the 'what' and 'how'.
You'll have the option of working with larger (3/4") stock to make a piece suited to incorporation into a door knocker, sign-bracket, wall sconce, or use as a serious paperweight, bottle opener, objet d'art... If needed, on the thick sections, we will strike for each other as we do at Striker Team.
If you want to do some other creature than a dragon, that's a perfectly fine thing, there are a multitude of descriptions of heads and how to forge them in books and on the net. If you know ahead what you'd like to do, please drop us a note with a description or pointer to one, so we can check to see if we have the tools necessary. If you think you'll need a striker, tell us that too.
This 'class' takes the form of a 'Guided Open Studio'; the instructor is there to help you through your project, not so much telling you what to do, as helping you figure out how to do it.
6 hours over two meetings Fee: $210 Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Arrowhead: The armor-piercing bodkin point 
We will make a classic medieval bodkin point or two, maybe three.
The techniques are flattening, curling, cutting on the hardy, and drawing
out. There will be a strong focus on hammer control, symmetry
in the work, and working in very thin sections.
There will be a discussion and demo of techniques for weighting and
mounting the heads for target archery use.
3.5 hours one meeting Fee: $120 Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Arrowheads and other hollow, conic forms  Part of our Sundays at the Forge series.
We will make a classic medieval bodkin point or two, maybe three. In the process we will have a chance to explore a shape that can be made larger and used as a candle-cup or smaller and used as an aiglette.
The techniques we will use are flattening, curling in the step, cutting on the hardy, and drawing out. There will be a focus on hammer control, symmetry in the work, and working in very thin sections.
2 hours one meeting Fee: $35 Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Basics of Blacksmithing  In the twelve meetings of this course, you will be exposed to the
basics of the language of blacksmithing. From "smash-it-flat" to forge
welding. There will be practice pieces, exercises, samplers, problems,
and actual projects all aimed at building your smithing vocabulary and
fluency. By the end of the course you should be well on your way to
thinking like a blacksmith.Taking the classes Rudiments I, Rudiments II, and Rudiments III
is the equivalent of taking The Basics of Blacksmithing class.
This class is 12 sessions long. Each session is 3 hours. Fee: $890 Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Basics of Blacksmithing II 
--- Note ---
New class length and new fee.
In this class we will spend more time practicing and refining skills, with emphasis on variation and experimentation. New topics will include: working to a drawing, forge-welding chain, working with/as a striker, two-piece welding (alone and with a helper), heat treating unknown (scrap) metal... This class is 12 sessions long. Each session is 3 hours. $890 Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Beginning Hammer Technique This class is an effort to help the student learn to get more forging done in less time with less effort and fewer missed blows.
We will focus on particular issues of swinging and striking with the hand hammer. There will be exercises to improve angle control, accuracy, fluidity of motion, and actual delivery of force.
There will be roughly an hour of instruction/demonstration followed by two hours of practice time with the instructor available for questions.
This class is intended for those who have taken or are taking a smithing class, and wish to improve their hammerskill. The physical product of the class will be a severely mashed-flat piece of iron. 3 hours, one meeting $85 Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Blacksmithing Camp Blacksmithing Camp is a chance for a teen with some experience (see pre-requisites) to begin delving deeper into basic smithing technique.
We'll keep your teen busy three times a week from 11:00 in the morning till 3:00 in the afternoon and send her or him home physically tired yet mentally invigorated. All that while teaching him or her an ancient art that's as old as modern civilization itself.
Classes run from 11:00 till 12:30, then there's a break for lunch (which you've lovingly packed in a brown paper bag) followed by another hour and half or so of vigorous activity with a hammer. We guarantee your teen will be somewhat bereft of excess youthful energy when they get home. 15 hours of instruction in five meetings, plus lunch breaks. $450 Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Blacksmithing Camp I 
We'll keep your teen busy from eleven in the morning till three in the afternoon, and send her or him home physically tired yet mentally invigorated. In the process, we'll teach him or her an ancient art, craft, and science that's pretty much as old as civilization itself.
Classes run from 11:00 am till 12:30 pm, then there's a break for lunch (which you've lovingly packed in a brown paper bag), followed by another hour and half or so of hammering. We guarantee your teen will be bereft of excess energy when they get home.
We'll start by making an
S-hook
, then continue on with the content of our
Rudiments I
class, wherein we make a barbeque fork and a pair of blacksmith's tongs.
12 meetings, 1 1/2 hours each, six times in fourteen days. Tuition: $490 Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Blacksmithing Camp II 
As with
Blacksmithing Camp I, classes run from 11:00 am till 12:30 pm, then there's a break for lunch (which you've lovingly packed in a brown paper bag), followed by another hour and half or so of hammering. We guarantee your teen will be bereft of excess energy when they get home.
We pick up where
Blacksmithing Camp I leaves off and continue on with the content of our
Rudiments II
class, wherein we perform the blacksmith-magic of forge-welding and hardening and tempering. We will make a punch and chisel and then use those to carve a dragon (or similar animal) head in iron. We will also have a shot at the patience-teaching Sharp Right-Angle Bend.
10 meetings, 1 1/2 hours each, five times in twelve days. Tuition: $450 Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Blackstone Valley Celtic Festival  Prospect Hill Forge will be 'performing' at the 2010 Blackstone Vally Celtic Festival at the Indian Ranch in Webster MA on Saturday, July 17 from 11am to 5pm
We will be demonstrating traditional single-smith forging, and if any of our strikers can make it we'll do some large work too.
There is swimming in Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg (Lake Webster), feel free to bring a suit and towel.
The festival runs from 11am to 5pm For festival tickets Click here Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Boy Scout Centennial Muster  This is a demo at the Centennial Patriot Muster "Camporee". Outdoor cooking tools such as tripods, flesh-forks, trammel hooks, spits, skewers, spoons and spatulas will be the order of the day. We'll be editing this text as we get more information.
Here are a couple of the official fliers:
Flier 1
Flyer 2
both are PDFs.
TBD TBD Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Butterfly Hinges  In this class you will make a pair of simple butterfly hinges, suitable for use on a cupboard, small chest, or box.
You will learn how to form the eye around the pin, how to adjust the eye so that the hinge turns, how to make the second leaf fit the first, and how to put them together. This class is 2 sessions long. Each session is 3 hours.
Fee: $210 Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Cambridge River Festival  Just upstream from the Weeks Memorial Footbridge, we'll be demonstrating traditional blacksmithing techniques, and the Striker Team will put in an appearance with their two-handed sledge hammers.
Free! Children half price! Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Connecticut Blacksmiths Guild meeting at Mystic We may or not be there, depending on scheduling, but this is the info from the Connecticut Blacksmith's Guild site:
CBG Winter Meeting
Driggs Blacksmith Shop, Mystic Seaport, Mystic, Ct
1pm – 4pm
Bring Items for the `Iron in the Hat’ Raffle
For more info contact: Bill Sheer, mysticbs@aol.com, (860)536-0679 (it is unclear whether there is any fee) Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Corkscrews  In this class we will make a corkscrew suited to opening even the finest of wines.
Unlike most modern, mass-produced, skinny little corkscrews, our design grabs a whole bunch of cork, not just the bit down the middle. With one of these you will never find that, instead of removing it, you have just drilled a ragged hole in that piece of bark that's keeping you from drinking your wine.
These make nice gifts (especially when you demonstrate that it really does work, on that bottle of nice wine you brought along).
Carl's note:
I'd had the idea of a corkscrew festering in my head for a long time, thinking that there must be a slick way of doing it. At the '10 NEB Fall Meet, Russell Pope had one on display. So I asked him about it and before he was twenty words into the explanation, the technique was clear. They don't quite make themselves, but it sort of feels that way.
3 hours, one meeting $105 Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Cubicle Hooks In this class we will make a wrought iron piece to hook over the top edge of a cubicle-wall, with a functional coat/purse/backpack hook on the inside and an interesting detail on the outside.
The techniques involved will be drawing out, cutting, curling and bending.
Before coming to class, students should take a measurement of the thickness of the cubicle wall they want the hook to fit.
"Cubicle Hooks" counts as "A Taste of Blacksmithing" as far as pre-requisites for other classes. 3 hours, one meeting $95 Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Elements of Household Racks  In this class we will address the techniques necessary to produce a towel rack, be it wide or narrow, intended to hold an elegant cloth towel or a roll of toilet paper.
With the techniques learned in this class the student will be able to go on and make an entire kitchen or bathroom suite of racks and holders.
This class is a single session of 3 hours. Fee: $105
Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Exploring Fold Forming  This is more a 'session' than a 'class', it is a chance to work with the technique in general or to spend the evening investigating the variations on a particular fold. Most sessions will begin with a brief demonstration of a particular fold or some aspect of hammering or opening. (if there's something in particular you'd like to see in the demo, make a note of it when you sign up and we'll do what we can.)
The session will go for a couple of hours and after that there will be an hour or two of Open Smithy available for those who wish to continue.
We will have 16oz/24ga/~.022" Copper sheet and ~16ga/.057" mild steel available for purchase, or you can bring your own material (no lead, no galvanized or plated steel). 2 hours per session $35 Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
File classDescriptions/Ha.tit not found Class tuition to be determined. Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
File classDescriptions/Lea.tit not found Class tuition to be determined. Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Fire Tools In this intensive class you will make a set of fire-tending
tools; a poker, a shovel or hoe, a brush, maybe a pair of tongs, and a
wall mounted holder for the set.
We'll break for a one hour lunch around noon, and a shorter break sometime in the afternoon.
This is going to be a long day with a lot to get done.
One 8 hour session. $275 Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Firesteel (aka Fire Striker)  In this class we will make a fire-steel from high-carbon steel and learn to use it.
Techniques used will be drawing-out, bending, hardening, and tempering.
When the fire-steel is made we will learn to strike a spark with it and
turn that spark into a fire. We will also go over the particulars of
making char-cloth for catching the spark.
When the class is done you will have made a fire-steel, learned to make
char cloth, and struck a fire. You will come away with your own
fire-making kit consisting of a fire-steel, a flint, a char-tin
& charcloth, and a bit of tinder, enough to get started. To bring if you can:
- a small metal box (like an Altoids tin) with a metal lid that fits fairly snugly, empty
- ~1 square foot or more of clean, old, worn, 100% cotton cloth to make into char-cloth
- a pouch or other container to hold your fire-kit, something you can fit both fists into should be the right size
There will be a modest (under $10) materials fee for flint and char-boxes for those who don't bring their own.3.5 hours one session. Fee: $125 Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Fitchburg Forge-In  This is a chance to watch a number of smiths at many levels of skill working hard and fast to beat the clock AND each other.
There will be three competitive sessions where the smiths will have to complete projects in 1, 1, and 2 hours respectively. More info at the Fitchburg Forge-In website.
Note: Their website is out of date, the 8th Forge-in (2011) is on October 1st. The directions and descriptions are (to the best of our present (7/28/11) knowledge) accurate.
With competitive categories for beginner, intermediate, and advanced smiths, no entrance fee, and cash prizes, this is a fun event to compete in. Come out and cheer us on, or even better, bring your gear and compete.
In addition to the blacksmithing competition, there will be artisans, antique dealers, and a pumpkin carving competition. Free! Bring your friends! All of them. Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Fixing Day  We're going to take some time to work on the Bin of Broken Tools.
We'll be re-wedging and re-handling hammers, re-dressing punches and chisels, de-rusting, repairing, repurposing, tweaking, fiddling, and fettling as needed.
If you know what you're doing, great, we need you.
If you don't know what you're doing, great, we'll fix that too.
Session length is variable, see the dates below. There is no fee. If you want to bring noshes, that's cool. Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Fold-Forming I Introduction  We will introduce Mr. Lewton-Brain's methods of working sheet metal by folding, deforming, and unfolding. There will be demonstration and hands-on work, mostly in copper, which will provide a quick overview of the range of form-folding techniques.
This class is a prerequisite to our Fold-Forming II class which is specifically for blacksmiths about fold-forming iron.
More information on fold forming can be found at: http://www.brainpress.com/Foldforming.html
There is Special Open Smithy time scheduled after the Fold-Forming II classes for those who wish to continue working out ideas and techniques while they're still fresh. If there is room, Fold-Forming I students will be welcome also.
3 hours 1 meeting $105 Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Fold-Forming II: Fold-Forming for Blacksmiths  This class will focus on the basic fold-forming concept of working sheet metal by folding, working, and unfolding and its application to hot iron.
We will work on a few basic folds and the tools and techniques necessary for fold-forming in hot metal, and advance as time and abilities allow.
More information on fold forming can be found at: http://www.brainpress.com/Foldforming.html
There is Open Smithy time scheduled after the class for those that wish to stay and keep working on their pieces. 6 hours 2 meetings $210 Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Garrison House  We'll be demonstrating traditional blacksmithing techniques at the Colonial Crafts Day in Chelmsford MA.
$3/person, or $5/family Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Glass Friday at Diablo Glass  We'll be taking an evening away from the forge to go play with hot glass in the Hot Shop.
We think it'd be way cool if we showed up with a bunch of blacksmiths all at once.
So, if you're interested, use this link and sign up to come with us on Friday Jan 28.
3-4 hours at their place $95 (pay them, not us) Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Hammer Skills  The class is equally suitable for young teens, pre-teens, and
adults and older teens that need practice to improve their hammer skills.
The class focuses on hammer technique, drawing out, twisting, and
bending. In particular, the student will learn to deliver power, improve hand/eye coordination, and deliver controlled strikes with the hammer, creating a smooth surface on the piece being worked. Arm-strength and stamina will also improve. On the mental side of things, patience, preparation, and attentiveness will be practiced.
Its intent is to develop these basic skills sufficiently to prepare the student to work on our standard Rudiments material, whether in the regular adult evening course or the after-school or summer teen programs.
For adults, Hammer Skills can serve as a remedial class for those who had some difficulties in "A Taste" or "Rudiments", and want to practice a bit before continuing. A Taste of Blacksmithing remains the recommended intro class.
For teens, Hammer Skills can serve as a substitute for "A Taste", or go between "A Taste" and "Rudiments" to build up hammer skills, or while waiting for a section of Rudiments to open up.
For pre-teens, Hammer Skills is the only class we currently offer.
The class runs through a series of simple projects, mostly
different types of hooks, though the occasional plant-stake or skewer may show up. All the projects will have roughly the same level of difficulty and use a similar set of techniques, so that students can attend the class whenever convenient. The purpose is to work on strengthening a small variety of important basic techniques, rather than covering a lot of different skills.
The projects will vary somewhat to maintain interest and to suit the individual student, but have enough similarity allow the student to develop some familiarity with the processes and vocabulary, and also make it easy to see their progress.
Some section of Hammer Skills will run afternoons, presently scheduled for 1:30 - 4:00, with a snack break partway through (bring your own snack!)
The cost per week will be $85, and class can be registered for on a week by week basis, or by the month. There will be a slight discount for one-month packages ($320/month).
Broadly speaking, this class will eventually prepare the student to
take our regular Rudiments series classes or, for the student who had
trouble with Rudiments I, help them prepare for Rudiments II. 2.5 hours, variable number of meetings $85 per week, or $320/month. Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Heart-Shaped Trivet  This class covers the production of a traditional and useful heart-shaped trivet, based on several in the Sorber collection of colonial wrought iron.
Make one for your sweetheart for Valentine's Day (or commission us to make one for you!) 6 hours, 2 3-hour sessions. $210 Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Innovations of Yesteryear  We'll be participating in the Innovations of Yesteryear festival along with various other artisans, entertainers, and educators. Come visit!
Click for more Information about the museum and the festival. $10.00 admission gets you into both the Festival and the Museum. Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
International Steampunk CIty Class tuition to be determined. Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
International Steampunk City We will be smithing on Waltham Common. There is no admission fee Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Iron Carving  You'll learn how to use punches and chisels to open mouths, punch noses and eyes, and cut ears and horns to make fantastical creature heads with unique personalities.
6 hours 2 meetings $210 Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Leather Sheathmaking -- An Introduction  Guest instructor Jessica Reynolds is a professional leatherworker and sheath maker at the New York Renaissance Fair. She'll introduce you to the tools of the trade, how to measure, cut and sew your custom sheath, and some quick tips on shortcuts.
In the first session of this class, Jessica will demonstrate one, possibly two methods of making sheaths and lead you through the process of making a custom sheath to fit your own knife. Don't forget to bring your knife with you! In the second session, you can complete your sheath or, if you've been zipping along, make a second sheath under Jessica's supervision.
There will be an (as yet to be determined) materials fee for this class.
Toolkits (optional) will also be available for those who wish to continue making sheaths at home. 6 hours, 2 meetings. Tuition: $145.00 Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Letter Openers In this class we will use the tools of the blacksmith to make one or more letter openers. We will use many of the techniques used by knifesmiths and forge a piece of mild steel into a blade and handle, but unlike a knifesmith, we will not concern ourselves with hardening and tempering the blade.
While not required, this class is an excellent precursor to any of our knife classes.
6 hours in two meetings $210 Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Making Bloomery Iron  This is more a participatory demo than a class per se. We expect it to take all day. If it rains, we'll be doing it indoors at the smithy. If the weather is nice, we'll be doing it outdoors, a little further out in the suburbs, at a location TBA.
In the first few hours we will mix up some "cob" (dirt/sand/clay/loam and straw) and build a small bloomery-furnace.
We will then fire it with charcoal and over the next few hours we will add ore (magnetite) and charcoal until we believe we have a sufficient iron "bloom" in the bottom of the furnace. Then we will open it and commence to consolidate the bloom into a 'muck bar' and possibly continue on to wrought iron if time/energy/interest allows.
Through the day there will be continuous opportunity to just watch.
In the morning there will be a chance to play grassy-mudpies while we build the furnace; after that everyone can take a turn on the hand-cranked blower (or the bellows if we get ourselves together to do it really old-style). At the end, there will be some opportunity for striker-team folk to help consolidate the bloom.
There will be ample schmoozing time during the process. Food will be acquired as needed, by whatever means seem appropriate at the time, and we will go until we are done. You needn't come-at-the-beginning-and-stay-to the-bitter-end (unless of course you want to). Dropping in and out through the day as fits your schedule and interest is just fine.
School trips and the like are welcome; check in with us about when will be the best time to come by to suit your objectives.
One meeting, roughly 12 hours Fee: $25 before lunch, $25 after lunch, bring something to share for lunch, and lunch time is free. Lunch will probably be around 2pm Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Middlesex 4H Fair in Westford Massachusetts  PHF will be demonstrating, but not selling anything, from no later than 10am (and maybe earlier) until 4:30.
At least 6 hours, maybe more. Admission to the fair is $7 or less Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
New England Blacksmiths The semi-annual meeting of the New England Blacksmiths.
More info at:
http://www.newenglandblacksmiths.org/spring_&_fall_meets.htm $26 (pay them) Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
New England Blacksmiths - Fall Meet  The semi-annual meeting of the New England Blacksmiths.
More info at:
http://www.newenglandblacksmiths.org/spring_&_fall_meets.htm
$60 before Sept 10 (pay them) Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
New England Blacksmiths - Spring Meet The semi-annual meeting of the New England Blacksmiths.
More info at:
http://www.newenglandblacksmiths.org/spring_&_fall_meets.htm $26 (pay them) Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
The New England Folk Festival  PHF will be at NEFFA for the three days of the event, participating as staff and dancers, probably not demonstrating blacksmithing.
For more information on the Festival click here. Class tuition to be determined. Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Nothing but Knives  In this class the student will start by learning the basic moves of
knife-making on a piece of mild steel, ending up with a letter-opener
if all goes well, and then move on to a piece of high-carbon spring
steel and make a small, simple, one piece knife, suitable for cooking,
eating, or general use.
Focus will be entirely on making a knife; only those tools,
techniques and concepts needed for knife making will be addressed. The
fires will be managed by the instructor.
Techniques include: straightening, drawing out, forging high-carbon
steel, twisting, flattening, annealing, filing, grinding, hardening,
and tempering. 9 hours in three 3 hour meetings $315 Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Open House at Prospect Hill Forge  We may demonstrate some of the wonders of blacksmithing. We usually convert one or two of our forges to grills by charging them with charcoal instead of coal (bring things to cook on a stick or grill), and mull cider with mullers and loggerheads. Unlike most barbecues, weather doesn't change our plans, we are set up to do it indoors.
If you like, you can sign up for blacksmithing classes, or buy ironwork or gift certificates while you're here.
There will be no high-pressure sales talk; it's a party and we're here to enjoy it too. But hey, if you ask about taking classes or learning about blacksmithing...
Directions to the smithy. Usually a full afternoon or a full evening No admission fee, but feel free to bring something to throw on the grill, or cook on a fork. Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Open Smithy  A chance to work on your own projects or continue on a project begun in a class.
Some Open Smithy times are during undersubscribed classes.
Because of the need to occasionally stop everyone hammering, we'll be appropriately generous with the accounting of OS time.
If you would like to reserve a forge, please call or
If you just show up, you're taking a chance that no one else called ahead and we decided to go sailing, or that lots of people called ahead and there's no room to work.
Hours vary. $25 per hour 1 hr minimum 10-hour-package discount available Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Our Fourth Birthday Party  We opened officially on May 1st, 2007, but our Grand Opening Bash was later in the month, so it seems fitting that our Birthday Party should be a bit late, too. The evening of Saturday, the 14th of May, fits that bill beautifully.
We'll have one of the forges charged with charcoal so that we can cook over it. (Food cooked over coal is not a tasty treat.)
So, mark your calendars to drop by the smithy to have a schmooze, a beverage, and a nibble. As with any Open house, if you've completed Basics or Rudiments III you can come in and play on our dime to the amusement and edification of the other attendees. Saturday evening from ~6 until fairly late No charge, but feel free to bring party supplies -- and friends! Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Our Second Birthday Party (and Open House)  We opened officially on May first 2007 but our Grand Opening Bash was later in the month, so it seems fitting that our Birthday Party should be a bit late too and the evening of Saturday the 16th of May fits that bill beautifully.
We'll have one of the forges charged with charcoal so that we can cook over it. (Food cooked over coal is not a tasty treat.)
So, mark your calendars to c'mon by the smithy have a schmooze, a beverage, and a nibble. As with any Open house, if you've completed Basics or Rudiments III you can come in and play on our dime. Saturday evening from ~6 until fairly late Feel free to bring something to eat, drink, or cook, but it's not required. Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
The Pensic War Pensic is essentially the annual international convention of the Society for Creative Anachronism. If it's medieval and fun, we do it, and it all gets done at Pensic.
Western Pennsylvania, Here we come! Class tuition to be determined. Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Preserving the Fire  3 Days of Hot Metal at The Ashokan Center, Olivebridge, NY
A Cooperative Event, Sponsored by:
Northeast Blacksmiths Association,
New England Blacksmiths Association,
Blacksmith Guild of Central Maryland
With the Support of:
Connecticut Blacksmiths,
Capitol District Smiths,
Berkshire Blacksmiths,
Blacksmith's Guild of the Potomac,
Pennsylvania Artist Blacksmiths' Association
More information at http://acblacksmiths.org/ Register before Aug 1st to avoid late fees.
Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
A Private Party at the Forge  Prospect Hill Forge is happy to host your party, be it to celebrate an Engagement, an upcoming Marriage, an Anniversary, a Birthday, a Bar Mitzvah, a Reunion, a Bat Mitvah... any day that is so important you want to remember what you and your family or friends did that day for the rest of your life.
We've done corporate team-building exercises and Thank-God-That-Project-Is-Done celebrations.
We can tailor a class to your needs, interests, and (within the constraints of our already-scheduled classes) your schedule.
We hosted a Bridal Shower where the guests all made hooks to fit on the bride's Pot Rack. The bride is making the Pot Rack herself.
There was a young man's 13th Birthday Party where his friends got to beat on hot iron, and most of them made useful items.
We had a Bachelor Party where the groom's friends all took our 'Nothing but Knives' class together.
Surely there's an occasion in your life that ought to be marked by hammering hot iron.
Class length: Negotiable The fees for Private Parties are negotiated on a case-by-case basis. Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Rudiments of Blacksmithing I  This class continues where "A Taste of Blacksmithing" leaves off. You'll
learn more about shop safety and begin to work on forge-fire management, while being guided thorough a series of projects that will begin to build your
repertoire of basic blacksmithing techniques, including:
| drawing
bending
cutting
twisting |
| fullering
punching
drifting
riveting |
Typical projects in Rudiments I include forks, tongs, and ivy-leaf finials.
There will be time after the hammers are down for questions and further discussion.
Taking the classes Rudiments I, Rudiments II, and Rudiments III
is the equivalent of taking The Basics of Blacksmithing class.12 hours total in either 4 3-hour sessions or 6 2-hour sessions. Fee: $320; a discount applies if signing up for all three Rudiments classes at once. Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Rudiments of Blacksmithing II  This class builds on the skills developed in Rudiments
of Blacksmithing I. You'll refine your command of forge-fire management, improve other existing skills, especially forging, and be guided through projects that will expand your repertoire of basic blacksmithing techniques by introducing:
|
upsetting
hot filing
hardening
tempering
sinking |
|
grinding
forging high carbon steel
adjusting tools
forge-welding
sharp angle bending |
Typical projects in Rudiments II include animorphic heads, spoons, center-punches, chisels, and brackets.
As always there will be time after the hammers are down for questions and further discussion.
Taking the classes Rudiments I, Rudiments II, and Rudiments III
is the equivalent of taking The Basics of Blacksmithing class.12 hours total in either 4 3-hour sessions or 6 2-hour sessions. Fee: $320; a discount applies if signing up for all three Rudiments classes at once. Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Rudiments of Blacksmithing III  This class continues where Rudiments
of Blacksmithing II left off. You'll finally have some idea of how to manage a forge-fire, and get to practice doing so. While doing so, you'll produce matching scrolls and generally work on having more control over your work, and learn still more basic techniques, including:
| scrollwork
collaring
forging pipe |
| threading (taps and dies)
sheet metal work
bending matching curves |
Typical projects in Rudiments III include candlesticks and ornamental scrollwork.Taking the classes Rudiments I, Rudiments II, and Rudiments III
is the equivalent of taking The Basics of Blacksmithing class.12 hours total in either 4 3-hour sessions or 6 2-hour sessions. Fee: $320; a discount applies if signing up for all three Rudiments classes at once. Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Rudiments of Blacksmithing IV  Rudiments IV can be seen as the first four weeks of Basics II.
There will be welding (chain, basket-motif s-hooks), investigation of the effects of heating and quenching on spring steel, and more.
4 three hour meetings $320 Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Rudiments of Blacksmithing V 
This class picks up where Rudiments IV left off and finishes out the content of Basics II as it currently stands.
There will be chain welding, forging to a drawing, two piece welding, scrolling in air, master/striker... Possibly making a hammer head. 12 hours in 4 meetings $320 Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Rudiments of Blacksmithing VI 
This class picks up where Rudiments V leaves off and finishes out the content of Basics II as a 12-week class.
The exact content of the class is still to be determined.
There will likely be chain welding, threading the needle, using set tools, cleft welding, collar welding, angle welding, further examination of the behaviour of spring steel when tempered, handling a hammer... 12 hours in 4 meetings $320 Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Saugus Ironworks Founders Day Iron Pour  We're not coordinating, offering transport, or charging for this -- we're just encouraging you to take this day to make a trip to Saugus -- it's what we'll be doing.
Directions to Saugus Ironworks
They're open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, but we think the Iron Pour part of the day will mostly be taking place between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm. Check with them to be sure!
Free! Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Shane Stainton: Making a Hunting Knife  Shane, is this picture the sort of knife you'll be making?
Knifemaker and blacksmith Shane Stainton (www.forgedknives.net) makes a variety of historical and modern styles of knives. He comes to us from his smithy in upstate New York.
He describes the class thusly:
This will be a two day class in which we explore the proper making of a knife, its fittings, and the final finish of the work. We will make a clip point hunting knife with a guard and pommel, handled in wood or antler.
Subjects covered will be:
forging the entire knife closely to shape (i.e. the tang, bolster shoulders, and blade)
edge quenching for hamons
finish beveling
decorative file work
making a guard and slotting it for the blade
making a handle
making a pommel
assembling the knife
final fit and finish.
We will also discuss other basic blade profiles and handle styles such as 'slab handled' and 'built handled'.
Day one will be the forging to shape, filing, heat treatment of the blade, and the forging of fittings
Day two will be initial finish work, assembly, fit, and final finish.
Two very full days The tuition for this class is still to be determined. Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Sharpening Your Knives  Do you have fine kitchen knives that don't seem to cut as well as when you first got them? When you try to sharpen them, do they seem to cut worse, rather than better?
We'll show you how to put a keen edge on your good carbon-steel and stainless knives, straight and serrated, and either how to use the sharpening tools you already own, or how to use a simple, cheap, traditional bench stone.
If you have sharpening equipment, please bring it and we will work with that, we also have a number of sharpening stones you can use in the shop. Bring a couple of your own knives. Straight chisels and plane blades are also acceptable. 2 hours one meeting Tuition fee: $35 Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Simple Knives  In this class the student will start with a piece of high-carbon spring steel and make a small, simple, one-piece knife, suitable for cooking, eating, or general utility use. This class is intended for intermediate students; there is another class, Nothing But Knives , for those who want to skip straight to making things with edges.
Techniques include: straightening, drawing out, hammering high-carbon
steel, twisting, flattening, annealing, filing, grinding, hardening,
and tempering. 1 3-hour session. Fee: $105 Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Small (Jeweler's) Hammers  Learn to make your own jeweler's hammers.
The sizes you want, the shapes you want, when you want.
The focus will be on learning the skills necessary to make small (less than three ounce) hammers for riveting, raising (anti- and syn- clastic), shaping, texturing... whatever.
Students should bring if possible:
- A handle (or handles) suited to the hammer(s) they plan to make
12 hours. Four meetings Fee: $420 Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Special Open Smithy  This is a special session of Open Smithy intended primarily for students of our special classes. These sessions are typically scheduled just before or after the classes in question and are intended to give those students a chance to continue their work with minimal interruption.
If you are one of our regular students and there is room, you are welcome to come and work, but please note that priority will be given to students of the current special class.
In general Open Smithy is a chance to work on your own projects or continue on a project begun in a class.If you would like to reserve a forge, call or email us at
If you just
show up, you're taking a chance that no one else called ahead and we
decided to go sailing, or that lots of people called ahead and there's
no room to work. $25 per hour 1 hr minimum 10-hour-package discount available Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Steampunk Festival  What is 'Steampunk'?
It has been described as "the science fiction of the steam age"; a re-imagining of the modern world through the eyes of the likes of Jules Verne and H.G. Wells but with the benefit of modern hindsight. (mad)Inventors, steam-power, rogues, airships, adventurers, clockwork, explorers, corsets, jewelers, top hats, pocket watches, gas-light... and of course, blacksmithing.
It promises to be an interesting crowd.
There is more info on the festival in this PDF. The entry fee is $4 for children $6 for adults Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Strawberries and Art Festival  We'll be demonstrating blacksmithing and offering our wares for sale.
There will be some amount of Striker Team activity through the day as needed and suited to the situation.
There will be lots of other merchants and artists, there was some very neat stuff last year, and some good food too.
Click for more info on the Festival 6 hours No admission fee Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Striker Team  We'll be learning to strike and to master, with single strikers and with teams of strikers. Striking directly and with set-tools. This is not so much a class in the usual sense as it is an ongoing practice session. There will be training for new people as they arrive, and practice for the more experienced. The projects we work on will be for the smithy or for sale by the smithy. Accordingly, the hourly rate for Striker team practice is lower than the usual Open Smithy rate.
Our Striker Team is available for both our own and our students' use, and performs at Fairs, Festivals, Exhibitions, and other opportunities for blacksmithing demonstrations, showing what it was like to do heavy forging in the old days.
To book the Striker Team for a special project, drop us an email.
To come see the Striker Team in action, check out our calendar for Fairs and Festivals at which we will be performing.
2 Hours (or so) Fee: $35 Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Sunday Afternoon at the Forge We'll be spending a couple hours in the afternoon working with/on one of a variety of techniques or concepts. Generally there will be about 20 minutes of lecture, the rest of the time will be for the participants to work alone or together on the day's subject.
Exploring Fold Forming
We'll deal with some particular aspect of fold-forming for the first 15 or 20 minutes, after that, it's a chance to use the tools and cross-fertilize with other fold-formers.
Striker Team
A time to work on large iron in teams, with sledge hammers.
Twisting the Afternoon Away
We'll discuss some underlying concepts of twisting and why things come out the way they do, then try putting them to work making sample twists.
Students Show Off
A chance for our students to strut their stuff and show what they've been up to.
Watch and Do
We'll watch (or read) an instructional blacksmithing video (or book), then go try it out. The video (or book) will be available for reference all through the time.
Usually 2 hours, often followed by a few hours of Open Smithy $35 Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Sundays at the Forge  Topics will vary, ranging from Aluminum Casting with the Coal Forge to Explorations in Foldforming, from Knife Sharpening Techniques to Twisting the Afternoon Away. Some topics will repeat regularly, such as our monthly Striker Team Practice, some topics will come up every few months, and some just once a year.
What they'll have in common is that they will generally be light treatments of topics that can be covered in a more social, less intense manner than our regular classes. Students will be more free to make their own mistakes and learn by doing so. Sometimes students will share forges, rather than having a private workspace. There will be more opportunity to get to know your fellow smiths, and there may be a pot-luck or an outing for ice cream or ethnic food included in the day's schedule.
'Sundays at the Forge' runs from 2 pm to 4 pm, and will be followed by at least 2 hours of Open Smithy time for those who want to keep rolling and put what they've learned into practice right away.
Sessions will be $35 for the 2-4 pm session; a subscription can be purchased for $100/mo (pro-rated for months when we're going to be short of available Sundays). Subscriptions to repeating SatF topics, such as "Striker Team" and "Exploring Foldforming", can also be purchased on a separate basis at $75/quarter.
Reserving Open Smithy time on Sundays will be like reserving any other OS time; people who have reserved in advance have priority. SatF subscription holders will enjoy a discounted rate of $20 per hour for SatF OS, but may be asked to double up on a forge if numbers require. 2 hours per meeting $35 Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
A Taste of Blacksmithing 
In this three hour class you will be introduced to the basic smithing
techniques of hammering, drawing-out, cutting, bending, and twisting.
Using these techniques and a coal-fired forge you will heat a piece of
iron to brilliant incandescence and with anvil, hammer, and tongs create
a decorative and useful 'S'-hook.
If you find you really enjoyed "A Taste...", there is more you can do afterward. 3 hours one meeting Fee: $60 Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Teen Knives In this class the student will start by learning the basic moves of
knife-making on a piece of mild steel, ending up with a letter-opener
if all goes well, and then move on to a piece of high-carbon spring
steel and make one or more small knives, suitable for cooking,
eating, or general use.
Focus will be entirely on making a knife; only those tools,
techniques and concepts needed for knife making will be addressed. The
fires will be managed by the instructor.
Techniques include: straightening, drawing out, forging high-carbon
steel, twisting, flattening, annealing, filing, grinding, hardening,
and tempering. 15 hours in five 3-hour meetings Tuition: $450 (includes all materials) Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Tent Stakes and Open Smithy A chance to make good solid tent stakes.
This is sort of a focused Open
Smithy* time. The main intent will be to make, you guessed it,
tent stakes.
Techniques: drawing-out, cutting,and bending. Minor coaching on form
and technique will be available. We have four coal forges, so that many people (or groups) can be
working at once.
Some protective gear is available. If you're bringing a group you may
need to bring some of your own eye and ear protection. We have aprons, ear muffs, and safety glasses
enough to protect eight people. Bring your own stock or buy some from us, we have 1/2" square, 3/8"
square & round on the rack.
*If you really want to make something else while everyone else is
making tent stakes, feel free, you can do as you please with your forge
time.
$25/hour Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Toasting Forks 
In this class we will make a long-handled two-tined fork suitable for cooking at the grille or over the campfire.
The techniques involved will be splitting, drawing out, curling & bending, and if there's time, twisting and draw-filing. This fork design can also be modified slightly to serve as a most excellent marshmallow toasting fork (S'mores anyone?).
3 1/2 hours, one meeting $123 Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
The Topsfield Fair  We are the blacksmiths at the Topsfield Fair again this year.
If you are a smith, and you'd like to demonstrate at the fair, please contact us, we'll probably welcome the break.
We will be in "Kiddieland" on "Country Way". [hey, we don't name these things.] If you come in the main gate on Rt 1, we are around to the right (due South of the Administration building).
If you come in from the "Riverside" parking area which is south of the fairgrounds on Rt.1, come straight in and turn left after the cider people. we are to the left across from the Turkey Leg vendor.
More info on the fair 10am to 10pm except the 1st Friday, which is 4pm to 10pm $8 admission for one day, three-day pass for $21, if you're helping us, we can comp you in. Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Tripods  In this class we will make a tripod for cooking over a camp fire.
This is a good solid design that stands well and can also be arranged as two
verticals with a horizontal either as a spit or as a bar for
hanging utensils from.
Techniques: hacksawing, drawing-out, bending, twisting
(optional) The parts disassemble easily for transport. You'll need a few 'S' hooks
or a trammel hook to adjust the height of your cookpot. (Watch for a
trammel hook class coming soon).
2 hours one meeting
Fee: $80 + $8- $12 materials fee depending on size
of tripod
Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Twisting the Afternoon Away  The twist is a very common ornament in blacksmithing, largely because the aesthetic return for your labor investment is huge.
We'll talk about how and why twisting does what it does and how heat, cross section, size, and interruptions affect how stock twists. Then we'll play with as many variations as the class can come up with. One meeting, 2 hours (with Open Smithy following for those who wish to stay on) $35 Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Waltham Mills Artists' Association Open Studios 
The WMAA Open Studios takes place each year on the first weekend of November. The 76 artists of the WMAA open their homes and studios to the public. Works of all media imaginable are demonstrated, displayed and discussed.
PHF will be there displaying and offering for sale a variety of ironwork, and touting our classes.
Carl will be offering his Percussive Drawings for sale and will also have his armor and some other sculpture on display.
Visit the WMAA website for more information.
Note!: This is not at the Smithy. This is at 144 Moody Street in Waltham, right near the Charles River.
Directions to the WMAA Buildings.
You will need to park elsewhere unless you have handicapped plates. There are public lots just across the Charles that are a brief walk away. There is no admission fee... Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Waltham Riverfest  This will be our second year at the Riverfest, and we expect to be just one of many interesting demonstrations, activities, and entertainments.
We'll be demonstrating from 9am to 3pm.
We won't so much be _on_ the river, as _over_ it, as in 'above', as in on the Moody Street Bridge. It ought to be pleasantly breezy albeit open to the sky.
www.walthamriverfest.com Free! Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Whittle Tang Knife  The whittle tang is a fairly quick, easy, and medieval way to hold a handle onto a knife.
We'll be making a practical*, small-bladed utility/eating knife, starting with a piece of automotive coil spring.
In the first meeting we'll forge the tang then the blade, hot-file to shape and heat treat the blade in the style we use in our Simple Knives class. In the second meeting we will install and finish the handle.
If time allows, we will discuss sheath options.
If you have wood (or antler, or bone) that you want to use as the handle, bringing it to the first meeting would be helpful.
*Please check any fantasies about making a "... THIS is a Knoife!" at the door. 6 hours in two meetings Fee: $210 Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Winslowshire Renaissance Festival  We'll be doing some demonstrations of traditional blacksmithing techniques, making household (and Renn Faire!) objects, and showing off our Striker Team -- several smiths working with sledge hammers on a single anvil.
The two day event will be on June 25th and 26th of 2011 from 11 am to 5 pm each day.
For more information about the event, please go to the website at http://www.winslowshire.com
Directions:
The directions on the Faire's Site are good.
But note that there is a hiccup in the signage:
As you get close, there are square yellow signs with big black arrows. At the last turn they switch to a white rectangular sign. There is a square yellow sign there too, but it doesn't look the same as the others.
Admission is $12.00 for adults and $7.00 for kids ages 5 – 13, and kids under 4 will be free. Specials include: Two day pass for $18.00, Come dressed in Renaissance Attire for $2.00 off and a Veterans’ Discount of $2.00 (must show military ID). Specials may not be combined. Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Worcester stART on the street  We will be one of sixteen crafts booths doing demonstrations on Park street in Worcester. The street will be closed to automotive traffic, so bring your walkin' shoes.
We'll be demonstrating in our usual fashion, making knives, hooks, dragons, and working in some Striker Team if we have the strikers to do it.
Our space is near the corner of Elm and Park, on the grassy area roughly across from the J.N.Phillips Auto Glass place, about half-way along Park street.
More information Here. Just the one day No admission fee. Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Wrought Iron Candlestick  This class is specifically geared to the production of a simple, elegant and functional candlestick. In the process of making it, you'll cut threads with tap & die, form a tenon, forge pipe, and work with sheet steel.
When finished with this class, the student should be able to use Open Smithy Time to make as large a set of candlesticks as they desire.
This class is seven hours long, in two sessions, the first of which is three hours long, the second usually four hours. Fee: $210 Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Zero to Blacksmithing This is a chance for a teen with no experience to engage with an ancient and vital craft.
We'll cover the content of our 'A Taste of Blacksmithing' wherein we learn safety and basic hammer technique and make an 'S'-hook, and our 'Rudiments of Blacksmithing I' class where we make a barbeque fork and a pair of blacksmithing tongs, in the process learning how to run a variety of coal forges.
For adults we cover this content in 5 3-hour meetings, in this class we do it in 6 2.5-hour meetings, a pace we've found better suited to our younger students. $400 Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Zero to BlacksmithingII Zero to Blacksmithing is a chance for a teen with no prior smithing experience to engage with an ancient and vital craft. This is the second segment of the class, covering material equivalent to that covered in our adult class Rudiments of Blacksmithing II,
in which we make a hardened and tempered punch and chisel and use them to make a steel "dragon" head and also get in a lot more practice with the hammer, and with temperature control.
For adults we cover this content in 4 3-hour meetings, in this class we do it in 5 2.5-hour meetings, a pace we've found better suited to our younger students. $340 Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
Zero to BlacksmithingIII Zero to Blacksmithing is a chance for a teen with no prior smithing experience to engage with an ancient and vital craft. This is the third segment of the class, covering material equivalent to that covered in our adult class Rudiments of Blacksmithing III, including collaring, working with pipe, making matching parts, scrollwork, and tapping and threading.
For adults we cover this content in 4 3-hour meetings, in this class we do it in 5 2.5-hour meetings, a pace we've found better suited to our younger students. $340 Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information. Back to TOP
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