PROSPECT HILL FORGE: The Blacksmithing Classroom

Many of the features of this website use JavaScript. Your browser either doesn't support Javascript, or you have it disabled. You will need Javascript enabled to view our complete class descriptions or use our otherwise convenient registration and email links.

If you'd rather, you can reach us directly by phone:
Mike - 617 230 9572 or Carl - 781 608 0900


Class List
Alphabetical - Categorical - Calendrical
Gift Certificates are available for all classes.

Demos:
Demonstrations, Fairs, and Festivals

Introductory:
These classes are designed to allow a beginner to sample the pleasures of blacksmithing without making a large commitment of either time or money. Most Intro classes are short, only a single session of 3 hours or so. Most students will take home a souvenir of their sojourn in our forge.

Special:
Upcoming events and classes with special instructors that we'd like to call your attention to by putting them right up at the top of the page. Subtle huh?

Techniques:
Classes that focus on a particular technique or set of techniques. Some are suitable for beginners; many have suggested or required pre-requisites. Some Techniques classes take the student through the making of a particular object; others do not.

Projects:
Classes that focus on the making of a particular object, teaching only those techniques necessary to reach that goal. Some Project classes are suitable for beginners; many have suggested or required pre-requisites. All involve the production of a specific piece that the student will be able to take home to show off or give as a gift. Most Project classes are a single 3-hour session; some are 2, 3 or as many as 4 sessions long.

Traditional:
These classes involve the production of traditional items from various periods in history, suitable for living-historians, historical reenactors, and historical home refurnishers. Items vary from the Medieval through the Arts & Crafts movement in style and period.

Family:
Any of our Intro classes and some of our Project classes can also be taught as Family Classes, intended for those with younger teens (under age 16) or mature pre-teens (age 11 or 12) who wish to introduce their children to the delightful art of blacksmithing, under parental supervision. At least one adult family member must also enroll.

Intermediate:
Advanced classes require previous experience in smithing: usually completion of Rudiments I or equivalent.

Shop-time:
Not classes per se, but time for experienced students to come in and use the shop under light supervision.

Miscellaneous:
Various activities that don't really fit into the "class" category. In the future, we'll be adding field trips, public appearances, "Forge-ins," Open Studios, and the like to this category.


  • Demos:
    Innovations of Yesteryear - Winslowshire - Cambridge River Festival - The Topsfield Fair - Blackstone Valley Celtic Festival - Middlesex 4H Fair in Westford Massachusetts - Waltham Mills Artists' Association Open Studios


  • Introductory:
    Firesteel (aka Fire Striker) - Nothing but Knives - A Taste of Blacksmithing - Tent Stakes and Open Smithy - Cubicle Hooks - Afterschool Smithing - Beginning Hammer Technique - Sundays at the Forge


    • 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.

      3.5 hours one session.       Fee: $125

      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 utility 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


    • 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 bring a piece of iron to an incandescent heat and with anvil, hammer, and tongs create one or more cooking skewers or a decorative and useful 'S'-hook.

      3 hours   one meeting          Fee: $60

      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.

      $25/hour

      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.

      3 hours, one meeting       $95

      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.

      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


    • 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


    • Sundays at the Forge

      Sunday Afternoons are a special time for many people, a time to relax, a time to set aside the cares of the work week, a time to hit hot iron with a hammer.

      We've shuffled our course schedule around a bit and are pleased to announce Sundays at the Forge, a series of laid-back, atelier-style, demonstrations and simple workshops paired with Open Smithy time.

      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.

      SatF sessions will run 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.

      SatF 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). 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 demand requires.

      2 hours per meeting       $35

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

      Back to Top


  • Special:
    Preserving the Fire - Fold-Forming II: Fold-Forming for Blacksmiths - Fold-Forming I Introduction - Special Open Smithy - Our Second Birthday Party (and Open House) - Open House at Prospect Hill Forge - Iron Carving - Heart-Shaped Trivet - Heart-Shaped Trivet - Shane Stainton: Making a Hunting Knife - Aluminum Casting with the Coal Forge - Advanced Knifemaking


    • 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


    • 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

      6 hours 2 meetings       $210

      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, working, 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


    • 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


    • 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


    • Open House at Prospect Hill Forge

      We'll demonstrate some of the wonders of blacksmithing, convert one or two of our forges to grills by charging them with charcoal instead of coal (bring things to cook on a stick), and mull cider with mullers and loggerheads. Unlike most barbecues, ours can be held indoors! If you like you can sign up for blacksmithing classes or buy ironwork 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 if you _ask_ about taking classes or learning about blacksmithing...

      Usually a full afternoon or a full evening       No admission fee, but feel free to bring something to throw in the grill, or cook on a fork.

      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


    • 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.

      Students should have taken Rudiments of Blacksmithing I (or be prepared to spend several more hours in Open Smithy time on the following weekend evenings).

      6 hours, 2 3-hour sessions.       $210

      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.

      Students should have taken Rudiments of Blacksmithing I (or be prepared to spend several more hours in Open Smithy time on the following weekend evenings).

      6 hours, 2 3-hour sessions.       $210

      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


    • Aluminum Casting with the Coal Forge

      We'll be exploring the aluminum casting technique variously 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.

      2 hours, one meeting       $35 (part of our Sundays at the Forge series)

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

      Back to Top


    • 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       The exact tuition and materials fee for this class is still to be determined. We expect it to be less than $750 total.

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

      Back to Top


  • Techniques:
    Basics of Blacksmithing - Butterfly Hinges - Elements of Household Racks - A Taste of Blacksmithing - Rudiments of Blacksmithing I - Rudiments of Blacksmithing II - Rudiments of Blacksmithing III - Simple Knives - Nothing but Knives - Fold-Forming II: Fold-Forming for Blacksmiths - Afterschool Smithing - Exploring Fold Forming - Sharpening Your Knives - Sunday Afternoon at the Forge - Iron Carving - Heart-Shaped Trivet - Heart-Shaped Trivet


    • 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.

      This class is 12 sessions long. Each session is 3 hours.        Fee: $890

      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


    • 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


    • 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 bring a piece of iron to an incandescent heat and with anvil, hammer, and tongs create one or more cooking skewers or a decorative and useful 'S'-hook.

      3 hours   one meeting          Fee: $60

      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.

      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
      filing
      hardening
      drilling
      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.

      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.

      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


    • 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


    • 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 utility 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


    • 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

      6 hours 2 meetings       $210

      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.

      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


    • 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


    • 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 (these techniques will NOT work on ceramic knives!), and either how to use the sharpening tools you already own, or how to use a simple, cheap, traditional "hard Arkansas" 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; we will NOT be working on gouges or other curved blades.

      3 hours one meeting       Tuition fee:$45

      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


    • 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


    • 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.

      Students should have taken Rudiments of Blacksmithing I (or be prepared to spend several more hours in Open Smithy time on the following weekend evenings).

      6 hours, 2 3-hour sessions.       $210

      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.

      Students should have taken Rudiments of Blacksmithing I (or be prepared to spend several more hours in Open Smithy time on the following weekend evenings).

      6 hours, 2 3-hour sessions.       $210

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

      Back to Top


  • Projects:
    Butterfly Hinges - Wrought Iron Candlestick - Heart-Shaped Trivet - Small (Jeweler's) Hammers - Tripods - Tent Stakes and Open Smithy - Fire Tools - Firesteel (aka Fire Striker) - Toasting Forks - Simple Knives - Arrowhead: The armor-piercing bodkin point - Nothing but Knives - Cubicle Hooks - Letter Openers - Heart-Shaped Trivet - Shane Stainton: Making a Hunting Knife


    • 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


    • 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 9 hours long. Either in three sessions of 3 hours or two sessions of 4 1/2 hours.        Fee: $315

      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.

      Students should have taken Rudiments of Blacksmithing I (or be prepared to spend several more hours in Open Smithy time on the following weekend evenings).

      6 hours, 2 3-hour sessions.       $210

      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.

      12 hours. Four meetings       Fee: $420

      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)

      2 hours   one meeting           Fee: $80  +  $8- $12 materials fee depending on size of tripod  

      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.

      $25/hour

      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.

      3.5 hours one session.       Fee: $125

      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.

      3 1/2 hours, one meeting       $123

      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


    • 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


    • 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 utility 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


    • 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.

      3 hours, one meeting       $95

      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


    • 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.

      Students should have taken Rudiments of Blacksmithing I (or be prepared to spend several more hours in Open Smithy time on the following weekend evenings).

      6 hours, 2 3-hour sessions.       $210

      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


  • Traditional:
    Butterfly Hinges - Wrought Iron Candlestick - Heart-Shaped Trivet - A Taste of Blacksmithing - Tripods - Tent Stakes and Open Smithy - Fire Tools - Firesteel (aka Fire Striker) - Toasting Forks - Arrowhead: The armor-piercing bodkin point - Iron Carving - Heart-Shaped Trivet


    • 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


    • 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 9 hours long. Either in three sessions of 3 hours or two sessions of 4 1/2 hours.        Fee: $315

      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.

      Students should have taken Rudiments of Blacksmithing I (or be prepared to spend several more hours in Open Smithy time on the following weekend evenings).

      6 hours, 2 3-hour sessions.       $210

      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 bring a piece of iron to an incandescent heat and with anvil, hammer, and tongs create one or more cooking skewers or a decorative and useful 'S'-hook.

      3 hours   one meeting          Fee: $60

      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)

      2 hours   one meeting           Fee: $80  +  $8- $12 materials fee depending on size of tripod  

      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.

      $25/hour

      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.

      3.5 hours one session.       Fee: $125

      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.

      3 1/2 hours, one meeting       $123

      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


    • 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


    • 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.

      Students should have taken Rudiments of Blacksmithing I (or be prepared to spend several more hours in Open Smithy time on the following weekend evenings).

      6 hours, 2 3-hour sessions.       $210

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

      Back to Top


  • Family:
    Firesteel (aka Fire Striker) - Rudiments of Blacksmithing I - A Taste of Blacksmithing - Afterschool Smithing


    • 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.

      3.5 hours one session.       Fee: $125

      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.

      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


    • 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 bring a piece of iron to an incandescent heat and with anvil, hammer, and tongs create one or more cooking skewers or a decorative and useful 'S'-hook.

      3 hours   one meeting          Fee: $60

      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.

      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


  • Intermediate:
    Wrought Iron Candlestick - Fire Tools - Heart-Shaped Trivet - Rudiments of Blacksmithing II - Rudiments of Blacksmithing III - Small (Jeweler's) Hammers - Striker Team - Basics of Blacksmithing II - Rudiments of Blacksmithing IV - Rudiments of Blacksmithing V - Sunday Afternoon at the Forge - Iron Carving - Heart-Shaped Trivet - Shane Stainton: Making a Hunting Knife


    • 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 9 hours long. Either in three sessions of 3 hours or two sessions of 4 1/2 hours.        Fee: $315

      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


    • 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.

      Students should have taken Rudiments of Blacksmithing I (or be prepared to spend several more hours in Open Smithy time on the following weekend evenings).

      6 hours, 2 3-hour sessions.       $210

      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
      filing
      hardening
      drilling
      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.

      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.

      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


    • 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.

      12 hours. Four meetings       Fee: $420

      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.

      2 Hours (or so)       Fee: $35

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

      Back to Top


    • Basics of Blacksmithing II

      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 8 sessions long. Each session is 3 hours.        $640

      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 is a stub text)

      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... Possibly making a hammer head.

      12 hours in 4 meetings       $320

      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


    • 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


    • 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.

      Students should have taken Rudiments of Blacksmithing I (or be prepared to spend several more hours in Open Smithy time on the following weekend evenings).

      6 hours, 2 3-hour sessions.       $210

      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


  • Shop-time:
    Open Smithy


  • Miscellaneous:
    Striker Team - Exploring Fold Forming - Sharpening Your Knives - The Pensic War - Sunday Afternoon at the Forge


    • 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.

      2 Hours (or so)       Fee: $35

      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


    • 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 (these techniques will NOT work on ceramic knives!), and either how to use the sharpening tools you already own, or how to use a simple, cheap, traditional "hard Arkansas" 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; we will NOT be working on gouges or other curved blades.

      3 hours one meeting       Tuition fee:$45

      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


    • 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