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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:

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?

Sundays-at-the-Forge:
Our series of light treatments of various topics. These classes generally consist of a 15 to 20 minute demo of some technique or concept, then the students are set loose to do as they will with it. Sundays at the Forge run from 2 to 4pm and often have a couple hours of Open Smithy time scheduled right afterward for those who wish to continue.

Techniques:

Knives:

Projects:

Traditional:

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.

Teen-Classes:

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.

-Online:
Online classes


  • Demos:
    Innovations of Yesteryear - Winslowshire Renaissance Festival - Cambridge River Festival - The Topsfield Fair - Middlesex 4H Fair in Westford Massachusetts - Waltham Mills Artists' Association Open Studios - The New England Folk Festival - Watch City Steampunk Festival - Strawberries and Art Festival - Worcester stART on the street - Fitchburg Forge-In - Garrison House - Making Bloomery Iron - International Steampunk City - Waltham Riverfest - Waltham Riverfest - Saugus Ironworks Founders Day Iron Pour - NEMES Annual Show
    New England Model Engineering Society
    - Maple Sugar Days - Blacksmith House - A Public Demonstration - Watch City Steampunk Festival - The Artist Blacksmiths' Association of North America Biennial Conference - Gore Place Sheepshearing Festival - Middlesex County 4H Fair in Westford MA - Watch City Steampunk Festival - Demo-to-Go - Tattersall Farm Day in Haverhill MA - Waltham Day - Liberty and Union Festival in Taunton, MA


    • 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.

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    • 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

      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.

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    • 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.

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    • 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 11pm, except the 1st Friday, which is 1pm to 11pm       Click here for the admission fee schedule, if you're helping us, we can comp you in.

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • 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.

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    • Waltham Mills Artists' Association Open Studios

      The WMAA Open Studios takes place each year on the first weekend of November. The 80-plus 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.

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    • The New England Folk Festival

      PHF staff will be at NEFFA for the three days of the event, participating as staff and dancers, probably not demonstrating blacksmithing.

      3 days       Check their site for admission fees

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Watch City 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 here.

      The entry fee for INDOOR events is $4 for children $6 for adults. Everything else is free!

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Strawberries and Art Festival

      We'll be demonstrating blacksmithing and offering our wares for sale.

      There may 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, and some good food too.

      Click for more info on the Festival

      6 hours       No admission fee

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • 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.

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    • 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.

      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.

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    • 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.

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    • 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.

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    • International Steampunk City

      We will be smithing on Waltham Common.

      There is no admission fee

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • 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.

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    • 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.

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    • 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.

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    • NEMES Annual Show
      New England Model Engineering Society

      A meeting and show at which the members of the Society show off their latest works.

      http://www.neme-s.org/

       Members of NEMES will fill the Jackson Room at the CRMII with all sorts of interesting gadgets.


      Free with Museum admission.

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Maple Sugar Days

      We'll be demonstrating smithing amongst maple sugarers and post-and-beam builders in Milton MA.

      "Maple Sugar Days is a joint program of the Department of Conservation and Recreation and Massachusetts Audubon’s Trailside Museum."

      for More Info Click here.

      Directions:
      Brookwood Farm is located in the DCR Blue Hills Reservation in Milton. Take Exit 3 (Houghton’s Pond) off Route 93 and follow signs to Maple Sugar Days parking.

      6 hours on each of two days       There is a $6 admission fee. Pay them, not us. It benefits theTrailside Museum.

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Blacksmith House - A Public Demonstration

      We'll be demonstrating Blacksmithing while standing over the remains of the roots of the very chestnut tree (the one in the picture) mentioned in Longfellow's poem.

      For official information Click here and scroll down.

      About 4 hours       There is no admission fee.

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Watch City Steampunk Festival

      Watch us smith and learn why this old craft is still needed today. You folks who procrastinate buying Mom that special something should note we'll have ironwork for sale. A gift certificate can give your Mom the opportunity to hammer hot metal!

      Free

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • The Artist Blacksmiths' Association of North America Biennial Conference

      Every two years blacksmiths from all over the country converge and confer.

      More info about the conference is here.

      ABANA Members - $175 --- $125 before 15 Jan 2014 -or- $225 after 1 Jul 2014

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Gore Place Sheepshearing Festival

      A demonstration in Waltham on an historic site.

      The mansion at Gore Place was built in 1806, set on a 45 acre house lot with surrounding farmlands. The Gores entertained such notable dignitaries as Daniel Webster and James Monroe in their beautiful home, “outfitted for all seasons.”

      We will be demonstrating blacksmithing in relatively period manner (it's only changes so much in the last 4000 years) through the day. There're lots of other things nearly as interesting as blacksmithing going on also.

      [Click for more info about the festival (directions for example)]

      7 hours       $20 entry fee over 12 years old (pay them, not us)

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Middlesex County 4H Fair in Westford MA

      We'll be demonstrating blacksmithing, touting our classes, showing off things we've made both in class and extracurricularly, and this year (2018) we can offer them for sale!

      There may be some amount of Striker Team activity through the day as needed and suited to the situation.

      There will be lots of other activities, many animals... lots of... 4H stuff.

      Click for more info on the Fair

      Most of the day       No admission fee

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Watch City Steampunk Festival

      Watch us smith, and learn why this ancient craft is still needed today.
      You folks who procrastinate buying Mom that special something should note we'll have ironwork for sale.
      A gift certificate can give your Mom the opportunity to beat the snert out of some hot metal!

      More info at: The Watch City Steampunk Festival site.

      Free

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Demo-to-Go

      We come to your teaching-place and give a live, distanced, demonstration of the Craft and the Art of Blacksmithing to your class, answering questions as they arise, dispelling myths and misconceptions as we go.

      A blacksmithing demonstration can be an interesting, even exciting and inspiring, adjunct to studies of:
      The Iron Age
      The Medieval period
      Early Europeans-in-the-Americas
      The History of Technology or of Engineering...

      We will bring all that is necessary to demonstrate the sorts of things that a blacksmith might do to make tools, household implements, farm equipment, nails, (and because there's almost always the question, swords), or whatever seems most fitting for what is being studied.
      We are prepared to discuss the making of iron from ore, the making of steel from iron (pre-Bessemer process), annealing, hardening, and tempering... depending on the interests of your students.

      The equipment we bring typically consists of:
      - A 123 pound anvil
      - A coal-fired forge
      - A lever-driven double-chamber bellows (good 14th-Century technology)
      - A bench with a blacksmith's vise
      - A bucket for quenching-water (we can bring the water too, but if there's a spigot available nearby, that's usually a little easier)
      - A variety of hammers and other hand tools

      We'll need a space about 10 x 15 feet, well away from buildings and their air-intakes. We can work on pavement or on grass. Being able to set up in the shade and have the students in the shade also would be a bonus while the weather is warm, when there's snow on the ground, it is less important.

      Most aspects of this experience are negotiable.

      This is a privately-arranged class, Demo-to-Go sessions listed below have been scheduled by someone for their own class groups.
      If you are here to register for a session, please be sure you are doing so for the right one.

      If you'd like to discuss scheduling a Demo-to-Go, please call Carl at 781 81oxide (781 816 9433) after 10am.
      Calling is best, emails and texts can get lost in the flood.

      [some of the information below is boilerplate, applicable only to our in-house classes, please don't be confused]

      Class length is negotiable, but typically 3 hours       Fee: typically $300 for roughly an hour to hour-and-a-half demonstration
      Travel more than an hour from Waltham will be a bit extra

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Tattersall Farm Day in Haverhill MA

      “Tattersall Farm Day" is a New England-style cultural and educational event for people of all ages.
      Activities will include beekeeping, animal and farming demonstrations, crafts, art work, pony rides, hay rides, antique tractors and much more!
      Live entertainment will be provided.

      [like Real, Live, Honest-to-God, Actual Blacksmiths doing Real, Live, Honest-to-God, Actual blacksmithing -cw]

      Food and beverages will be available

      This event provides a rare opportunity to learn about New England farm life and its cultural and historical influence on the City of Haverhill.

      Proceeds from Tattersall Farm Day will assist in the rebuilding of the barn.

      Much of the day       Admission fee: Currently Unknown

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Waltham Day

      An event on Waltham Common celebrating Waltham itself.
      We'll be demonstrating, promoting our classes to the locals, selling from our modest stock of items, and taking the occasional challenge.
      There will be all manner of other stuff going on too, more info HERE

      Class tuition to be determined.

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Liberty and Union Festival in Taunton, MA

      We'll be demonstrating Blacksmithing with a Colonial American emphasis.
      There will be tables of smithed items for sale or conversation.
      And there'll be a bunch of other stuff going on... Check it out at:
      https://www.libertyandunion.org

      The fair runs from 11 am to 4pm       There is no admission price, it is a free event.

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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  • Introductory:
    Making Bloomery Iron - Cubicle Hooks - Firesteel (aka Fire Striker) - Hammer Skills - Nothing but Knives - A Taste of Blacksmithing - Teen Knives - Tent Stakes and Open Smithy - Zero to Blacksmithing - Boy Scout Metalworking Merit Badge - Forging Aluminum (cold) for the Young and the Interested - Ready, Set, Smith! - A Forged Iron Bottle Opener - Bracelets II - Metal Roses, Copper and Steel - Fire and Hammerskills (experimental class)


    • 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.

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    • 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.

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    • 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: $140

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • 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.

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    • 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, flattening, shouldering, pre-allocation of bend and mass, beveling, annealing, filing, hardening, tempering, and sharpening.

      9 hours in three 3 hour meetings       $375

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • 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.

      3 hours   one meeting         Fee: $85

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • 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.

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    • 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.

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    • 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.       $480

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Boy Scout Metalworking Merit Badge

      In Session One, the scouts learn a bit about safety in the smithy and basic smithing skills such as forging, bending, curling, twisting and annealing. They do so in a way that satisfies the BSA MB requirements to make a right-angle and a U-shaped bend, taper to a point, twist hot steel, and work-harden and anneal non-ferrous metal. During the course of all that, we have them make a useful and hopefully decorative wall hook, which we help them hot-punch so it can be hung up at home.

      In Session 2, they make a simple center-punch, a temper-color index and a piece of their own design, using the skills they've learned and adding solid riveting as well. The design for this piece is to be vetted by the MB counselor before Session 2.

      Session 1 is about 2.5 hrs, Session 2 is about 3.5 hrs.        Tuition: $700 for as many as four students, $1000 for five to eight students.

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Forging Aluminum (cold) for the Young and the Interested

      Working cold aluminum is a lot like working hot iron, but without the danger of learning what burning human flesh smells like. In this class we will introduce the student (age eight or older) to the basic smithing techniques of hammering, drawing-out, cutting, bending, and twisting. Using these techniques and a piece of aluminum, you and your child will create decorative and useful 'S'-hooks (one each!) with anvil, hammer, and tongs. Some students may instead be guided through the making of a J-Hook.

      This class is not limited to youngsters (a parent or guardian is required for those under ten). The material presented is similar to that in our "A Tween's First Taste of Blacksmithing" classes, but without the heat.

      Enrollment is limited to four students, so that they don't have to share tools and workspace. This class is offered at a variety of times of day and week to suit the schedules of un-schoolers, home-schoolers, and conventional-schoolers.

      one meeting, 2 hours.       (no longer offered)

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Ready, Set, Smith!

      A straight-through series of classes roughly equivalent to the usual PHF offerings of "A Taste of Blacksmithing", "Rudiments of Blacksmithing I", and "Rudiments II" all in one package.

      Techniques that will be covered:

      Shop Safety
      Basic Hammer Technique
      Fire Management
      Drawing Out
      Scrolling
      Bending
      Isolating Mass
      Shouldering
      Dishing
      Punching and Drifting
      Splitting
      Forge Welding
      Basic Tool and Tong Making
      Sculptural Forging

      27 hours of class in 9 meetings of 3 hours each       Tuition: $790

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • A Forged Iron Bottle Opener

      This bottle opener is an excellent first project.

      The student is introduced to the blacksmith's techniques of flattening, bending, hot-cutting, drawing-out to a taper, chamfering, more bending, and twisting (in that order).
      This class also serves as a pre-requisite for classes that have "A Taste of Blacksmithing" as a pre-requisite.

      In the end, the student can reasonably expect to have a pleasantly hefty handful of bottle-opening wonderfulness.

      3 hours, one meeting       Tuition: $85

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Bracelets II

      We'll use traditional blacksmithing techniques to make a distinctly non-traditional item. We'll work an iron bar with fire and water, hammer and tongs, vise and anvil and learn about heat control, hammer control, and self-control while creating an iron bracelet with a tapered, sinuous motif.

      Techniques will include forging (drawing out, tapering, square-octagonal-round), bending, twisting, and planning ahead.

      Two 3 hour meetings       Fee: $150

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Metal Roses, Copper and Steel

      This class will use the familiar rose shape as an introduction to smithing skills and tools.

      The first half of the class will be an introduction to various common tools and techniques used in shaping metal as you use a hammer and anvil to draw, flatten, taper, and bend copper into a rose you can take home.
      Once you've had the opportunity to practice these moves the second half of the class will focus on applying these techniques to a harder metal, still using traditional tools and techniques but this time with hot steel.
      At the end of the second half you will have a second rose, made out of steel, to bring home.

      6 hours, one meeting (with lunchbreak)       Tuition: $250

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Fire and Hammerskills (experimental class)

      In this class there is no project per se, it's a chance to work on the skills and knowledge needed for lighting and running the fire, and to work on (improving) hammer technique for use in class and on personal projects. There will likely be a sidebar on choosing and using tongs.

      We will do a _lot_ of hammering.
      We will work on joint-safety, efficiency, power, control, and hammer-choice for the job.
      We will intentionally make mistakes so that we can see the trouble they cause.
      In the end we will have most of a horribly-abused piece of stock to show for our efforts, and a better understanding of our tools, what they do, and how they do it.

      This class will be of value to novices who've only had a couple hours at the anvil, beginners who've been working on their own, intermediate smiths who've been at it for a year or two, and any smiths who've been away from the anvil for too long. The more you've hammered already, the better you'll perceive the finer points.

      3 hour session(s).
      We will experiment with this class to see if it can be one session or needs to be two.       Fee: $85

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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  • 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 - Heart-Shaped Trivet - Shane Stainton: Making a Hunting Knife - Aluminum Casting with the Coal Forge - A Private Party at the Forge - Fixing Day - New England Blacksmiths - New England Blacksmiths - Fall Meet - New England Blacksmiths - Spring Meet - Glass Friday at Diablo Glass - Making Bloomery Iron - Connecticut Blacksmiths Guild meeting at Mystic - Our Fourth Birthday Party - Leather Sheathmaking -- An Introduction - Saugus Ironworks Founders Day Iron Pour - Bachelor Party or Bridal Shower -- Private Party - Boy Scout Metalworking Merit Badge - Private Class - Field trip to Higgins Armory Museum - Mike's Birthday - The Artist Blacksmiths' Association of North America Biennial Conference - Our Seventh Birthday - The Pensic War - Iron Carving - Our Ninth Birthday - Shop Maintenance - A Corporate Team Experience - Making Your Own Thread - Remote Private Class - Forge-to-Go - Smith-to-Go - Outdoor Class - Outdoor Class - A Wrought Frying Pan - A Makeup Class - OS Monitor Meet - Fitchburg Forge-In Practice


    • 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.

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    • 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       $250

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • 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       $85

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • 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.

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    • 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.

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    • 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...

      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.

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    • 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.

      6 hours, 2 3-hour sessions.       $210

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • 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.

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    • 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 at least one small item per student.

      This technique is less precise than 3D printing, but much much faster. We'll talk about how to do it "on-the-cheap".

      3 hours, one meeting       $125

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • 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.

      Class length: Negotiable       The fees for Private Parties are negotiated on a case-by-case basis.

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • 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, but we are looking for some amount of smithing ability walking in (see the pre-requisite below).

      Session length is variable, see the dates below.       There is no fee. If you want to bring (gluten-free) noshes, that's cool.

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • 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.

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    • 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

      $75 (pay them)Click here for the registration form

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • New England Blacksmiths - Spring Meet

      The semi-annual meeting of the New England Blacksmiths. More info at:
      http://www.newenglandblacksmiths.org/2017/03/2017-spring-meet/

      Fee unclear, bring some money, there's food, and tools and stuff to learn.

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • 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.

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    • 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.

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    • 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.

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    • 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.

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    • 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.

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    • 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.

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    • Bachelor Party or Bridal Shower -- Private Party

      This is a Private Party. Unless you're on the guest list, you can't attend. However, if it sounds like a Really Cool Idea, you're right, and you can contact us to make arrangements for your own Bachelor Party, Bridal Shower, Birthday Party, Bar Mitzvah, or what-have-you.

      Variable       Variable

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Boy Scout Metalworking Merit Badge

      In Session One, the scouts learn a bit about safety in the smithy and basic smithing skills such as forging, bending, curling, twisting and annealing. They do so in a way that satisfies the BSA MB requirements to make a right-angle and a U-shaped bend, taper to a point, twist hot steel, and work-harden and anneal non-ferrous metal. During the course of all that, we have them make a useful and hopefully decorative wall hook, which we help them hot-punch so it can be hung up at home.

      In Session 2, they make a simple center-punch, a temper-color index and a piece of their own design, using the skills they've learned and adding solid riveting as well. The design for this piece is to be vetted by the MB counselor before Session 2.

      Session 1 is about 2.5 hrs, Session 2 is about 3.5 hrs.        Tuition: $700 for as many as four students, $1000 for five to eight students.

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Private Class

      A Private Class might be a special subject asked for by a group with a particular interest, it could be an advanced topic we don't usually offer, it could be a corporate team-building exercise...

      It's hard to say which it is this time, these things have happened, and will happen again.

      Note:If it says next to a date listing below, that no one has signed up for the class, all that means is that none of the participants have signed-in online. Possibly because it's a surprise.

      Class length is negotiable.       Fee: Negotiable

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Field trip to Higgins Armory Museum

      We'll be arriving at the museum around noon, and staying till about 3:00, then moving to a local burger joint (Wild Willy's) for a late lunch. Carl will give brief impromptu lectures on various aspects of the armor on display (as of course will the museum guides and some of the other folks who are joining us).

      Some of us will be carpooling from the forge. If you're interested in being one of that group, drop us a note to let us know to expect you, and make sure we have your cell number (if you have one).

      Wild Willy's, where we expect to go for late lunch after the Higgins, has ample seating for the number of people we expect, is near the museum (a short drive, not really a walk), has GF options, but does NOT have much to offer vegetarians -- fries (good ones!) and salads and that's about it. They *do* have ice cream and frappes, though, for what that's worth. So, if you're a vegetarian/vegan/piscatorian, please bring a bag lunch so you can stay with the group for the social experience.

      (http://www.wildwillysburgers.com/grub.cfm)

      We're not organizing this enough to attempt to get a group rate. Admission is $12 for adults.

      Roughly three hours, one meeting       $12 for adults, with appropriate discounts for kids and families.

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Mike's Birthday

      This'll be a party in the evening, at the forge, celebrating the fact that Mike gets to tick-off another year. It's not a surprise. We'll probably do a bit like we do for an Open House, that is: we'll have a forge set up for grilling over charcoal, a table for snacks, a table for beverages, and a fairly freshly swept floor.

      This'll go for several hours       Bring your presence.

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • The Artist Blacksmiths' Association of North America Biennial Conference

      Every two years blacksmiths from all over the country converge and confer.

      More info about the conference is here.

      ABANA Members - $175 --- $125 before 15 Jan 2014 -or- $225 after 1 Jul 2014

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Our Seventh Birthday

      Seven Years.

      Wholely Moley.

      We started in May of '07, and it's been uphill ever since.
      We've had nearly a thousand students in that time. Some have caught on fire, a few have merely burned themselves.

      It'll be pretty much the usual semi-pot-luck, we'll trick out forge 3 with a grill and charcoal for tasty cooking of tasty things.
      Please feel free to bring something to put on the grill, on the table, or in a cup.
      Gluten-free items are especially appreciated.

      We'll start about 6:30 and go until... midnight-ish ... however long we maintain critical mass.

      If you'd like to feel that there's a theme to the party, consider it to be "Lucky Seven" and do with that concept what you will.

      This is intended to be a party more than anything else, if you want to talk about classes, or buy something, we will accommodate you, but we're not going to start anything.

      One meeting, roughly five and one half hours.       There is no fee. Just bring Your Own Fine Self.

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • 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.

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    • 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       $250

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Our Ninth Birthday

      We started in May of '07, and it's been uphill ever since.
      Well over a thousand students have experienced the thrill of imposing their will on incandescent steel since then.

      It'll be pretty much the usual semi-pot-luck, we'll trick out forge 3 with a grill and charcoal for tasty cooking of tasty things.
      Please feel free to bring something to put on the grill, on the table, or in a cup.
      Gluten-free items are especially appreciated.

      We'll start about 4 and go until... 10-ish ... however long we maintain critical mass.

      If you'd like to feel that there's a theme to the party... let's go with "the opposite of Nine" and do with that concept what you will.

      This is intended to be a party more than anything else, if you want to talk about classes, or buy something, we will accommodate you, but we're not going to start anything.

      roughly 6 hours       Bring something good (see above)

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Shop Maintenance

      A three-or-so hour session wherein we put stuff in the smithy to rights.
      We'll tweak tongs, straighten, re-temper, and sharpen punches and chisels, tighten and wax hammer handles, de-rust rusty tools, replace broken ones...

      3-or-so hours.
      If you want to show up early, work it out directly with Carl.       There is no fee per se, your work is your payment for whatever you might learn... if you happen to bring a little something for during or after, that'd be ok...

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • A Corporate Team Experience

      Whether it's to build team cohesion, to celebrate a release, a finished project, or some other milestone...

      ... Getting the group together to beat the everloving snert out of a piece of incandescent steel is a pleasant change of pace.

      These sessions typically start in the late morning or early afternoon on a weekday
      (earlier is possible, but there's an additional fee for getting the instructor up early) and run for three to three-and-a-half hours.

      Eight students is our usual maximum.
      We can handle as many as 12... that's our hard maximum, there just isn't room for more.
      But once there are more than 8 students, even just one more, it adds about one-and-a-half hours to how long the session will last.

      We -can- bring the forges to your place and do it as a Forge-to-Go class and maybe have a morning group and an afternoon group.

      We can plan to include a break for lunch.
      There are several places nearby in Waltham that make good food, and we have an excellent caterer a block-and-a-half away.

      "What will we make?" I hear you ask.
      Our Forged Bottle Opener Class usually fills the bill nicely, but if you want to work out something different... it's all negotiable.

      To get started setting something up (the date, the time, the project), reach us by phone (after 10am): 781 816 9433

      3 to 5.5 hours depending. Or maybe all day.       Tuition: negotiable

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Making Your Own Thread

      We'll be hand-carving a tap
      to make a die
      to make a tap
      to make a die
      to make a tap
      By which step the tap and die should be usable for making functional items like nuts and bolts, clamps, hand-vises...

      There will be lots of filing and heat-treating.
      And a bit of hammering. These things will need handles.

      Note: the threads we make will be utterly personal. Non-standard in nearly every way.

      It is currently unclear whether we will continue on and make a c-clamp with our new taps and dies.

      Length unknown at this time       Fee: also unknown at this time

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Remote Private Class

      We bring one of our mobile smithing set-ups, all materials and safety gear to your place and set up outside.
      (We have a decent fly for cover in the event of rain or excessive sun)

      We can arrange to do any of our usual classes, from A Taste of Blacksmithing to The DIY Off-the-Grid Guerilla Patternwelded Billet or a class/lesson/session to suit the student(s) needs, interests, and abilities.

      With one forge we can accommodate one or two students who are from the same epidemiologic unit. It is possible to bring an additional forge for additional students (see below).

      Most aspects of this experience are negotiable.

      Class length is negotiable       $100 base fee + $100/hr, 2 hours minimum
      Additional forges $100

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Forge-to-Go

      We bring one or more of our mobile smithing set-ups, all materials and safety gear to your place and set up outside.
      (We have a decent fly for cover in the event of rain or excessive sun)

      We can arrange to do any of our usual classes, from A Taste of Blacksmithing to The DIY Off-the-Grid Guerilla Patternwelded Billet or a class/lesson/session to suit the student(s) needs, interests, and abilities.

      With one forge we can accommodate one or two students who are from the same epidemiologic bubble/pod/unit. It is possible to bring an additional forge for additional students who can be from a different bubble (see below).

      Most aspects of this experience are negotiable.

      The listings below (if any) have only one space in them here on-screen. That's for the person who's organizing the class, all the details; start time, number of students, project, address, payment... will be handled by phone or text.
      If a date listed below works for you (and your group) sign up for it and we'll work it out. We'll get it done so long as the weather isn't truly horrible.

      If you'd like to discuss scheduling a Forge-to-Go session some time/day other than those listed below, please call Carl at 781 81oxide (781 816 9433) after 10am.
      Calling is best, emails and texts often get lost in the flood.

      Class length is negotiable, but typically 3 hours       $100 base fee + $100/hr, 2 hours minimum
      Additional forges $75 each
      Travel more than an hour from Waltham will be a bit extra

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Smith-to-Go

      Carl comes to your place and your set-up outside*.

      Using your equipment, we can get you started, work on technique, form, and understanding, tweaking equipment, suggesting and maybe implementing improvements... or push you along in your skill-building.
      We can also can arrange to do any of our usual classes, from A Taste of Blacksmithing to The DIY Off-the-Grid Guerilla Patternwelded Billet or a class/lesson/session to suit the student(s) needs, interests, and abilities.

      At your forge we can accommodate one or two maybe even three students who are from the same epidemiologic bubble/pod/unit.

      Most aspects of this experience are negotiable.

      This is a privately-arranged class, Forge-to-Go sessions listed below have been scheduled by someone for themselves.
      If you are here to register for a session, please be sure you are doing so for the right one.

      If you'd like to discuss scheduling a Smith-to-Go session, please call Carl at 781 81oxide (781 816 9433) after 10am.
      Calling is best, emails and texts can get lost in the flood.

      *In this Covid time, I'm being _very_very_ cautious and am reluctant to go indoors.

      Class length is negotiable, but typically 3 hours        $100/hr, 2 hours minimum
      Travel more than an hour from Waltham will be a bit extra

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Outdoor Class

      This is a (typically private) class pre-arranged with PHF to happen in our driveway to accommodate unvaxxed students.
      Exact content TBD.

      The class happens up the street from Prospect Hill Forge in the driveway of 58 Guinan Street.

      Typically 3 hours       Fee: $250 minimum. Additional forges $75 each

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Outdoor Class

      Our Outdoor Classes are our answer to trying to cope with the pandemic. With all participants vaccinated (proof required), we'll be outdoors and make an attempt at keeping distance whenever possible.
      Actual content of each class is described below.

      The class happens up the street from Prospect Hill Forge in the driveway of 58 Guinan Street.

      Typically 3 hours       Fee: $100 for one person or $170 for two sharing the same forge. (The two will sign-up in one student space on the form)

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • A Wrought Frying Pan

      In this class you'll make a ~10" frying pan starting with a disc of 10ga mild steel and a length of flat-stock.
      You'll slot-punch the end to make a ring on the handle, taper to improve the balance (and elegance) of the pan, you'll dish and raise the sheet steel to to form the "bowl" of the pan, and rivet the two together making a solid whole.
      This is a chance to make a pan that works well over a campfire where conventional fry-pan handles are way too short.
      These same basic techniques can be used in the making of ladles, egg spoons, and XXXsomethingXXXelseXXX.

      Roughly 6 hours, (it'll be a full day)       Tuition:$7000

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • A Makeup Class

      Sometimes a student has to miss a class-meeting and we do our best to find a mutually convenient time to keep the student in step with the class.

      Typically three hours in a single session       Class tuition to be determined.

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • OS Monitor Meet

      A chance to get together, refresh ourselves and our memories as to what's where, and how stuff works. Some things have changed.

      Maybe we light up and fix some tongs, dinner after is an option.

      We'll figure it out.
      If we do pizza from up the street we'll need to order early. Or maybe get some from Waltham Pizza in less of a hurry. Waddaya want on it?

      an evening,       Class tuition to be determined.

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Fitchburg Forge-In Practice

      We'll work on and talk about approaches to the projects at the upcoming Fitchburg Forge-In.
      A couple of Timed Sessions will probably happen.

      Roughly 3 hours       Fee: Unclear, we'll talk. Like Open Smithy maybe?

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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  • Sundays-at-the-Forge:
    Arrowheads and other hollow, conic forms - Heat Treating - Forge Welding Practice


  • Techniques:
    Basics of Blacksmithing - Butterfly Hinges - Wrought Iron Candlestick - Elements of Household Racks - Exploring Fold Forming - Fold-Forming I Introduction - Fold-Forming II: Fold-Forming for Blacksmiths - Hammer Skills - Heart-Shaped Trivet - Leather Sheathmaking -- An Introduction - Nothing but Knives - Rudiments of Blacksmithing I - Rudiments of Blacksmithing II - Rudiments of Blacksmithing III - Sharpening Your Knives - Sunday Afternoon at the Forge - Teen Knives - Twisting the Afternoon Away - Zero to BlacksmithingII - Zero to BlacksmithingIII - Calligraphy for Blacksmiths I - Ready, Set, Smith! - The Russian Rose - A DIY Off-the-Grid Guerilla Patternwelded Billet - A San Mai Knife


    • Basics of Blacksmithing

      We no longer offer Basics as a monolithic class, the same content is in our Rudiments I, II, and III classes.

      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 series you should be well on your way to thinking like a blacksmith.

      Class tuition to be determined.

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • 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: $250

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • 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.       No longer offered

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • 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.

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    • 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.

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    • 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       $85

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • 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       $250

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • 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.

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    • 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.

      6 hours, 2 3-hour sessions.       $210

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • 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.

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    • 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, flattening, shouldering, pre-allocation of bend and mass, beveling, annealing, filing, hardening, tempering, and sharpening.

      9 hours in three 3 hour meetings       $375

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Rudiments of Blacksmithing I

      This class picks up where "A Taste of Blacksmithing" and "A Forged Iron Bottle Opener" leave off. You'll learn more about shop safety and begin to work on forge-fire management, while being guided through projects that will begin to build your repertoire of basic blacksmithing techniques, including:
      drawing out
      bending
      cutting
      twisting
      upsetting
      splitting
      punching
      drifting
      riveting
      anticipatory choreography
      and using:
      slitting chisel
      top&bottom swage
      monkey tool
      The projects in Rudiments I are a barbecue fork and a pair of smithing tongs. There will be time after the hammers are down for questions and further discussion.

      12 hours total in either four 3-hour sessions or five 2.5-hour sessions.       Fee: $390; a $100 discount applies if signing up for three sequential Rudiments classes at once, total $1070.

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • 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.

      12 hours total in either 4 3-hour sessions or 6 2-hour sessions.       Fee: $390; a discount applies if signing up for three sequential Rudiments classes at once.

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • 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: $390; a discount applies if signing up for three sequential Rudiments classes at once.

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • 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.

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    • 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.

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    • 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.

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    • 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.

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    • 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.       $400

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • 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.       $400

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Calligraphy for Blacksmiths I

      We will be learning to draw the Roman alphabet. First as what my calligraphy professor, Arnold Bank called "Simple Hand"; an un-serifed version of the letters you are probably reading right now. The focus will be on shape and spacing. Then if time and class progress permit, we will move on to serifed Roman.

      The Roman hand is deceptively simple-looking and plain. It is perhaps the least forgiving of any calligraphic hand, you cannot hide mistakes with fiddly gew-gahs. Being able to do it well is no small achievement.
      Know this ahead: It will be frustrating, you will make a lot of ugly letters. It's OK.

      12 hours in 6 two-hour meetings       Tuition: $300

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Ready, Set, Smith!

      A straight-through series of classes roughly equivalent to the usual PHF offerings of "A Taste of Blacksmithing", "Rudiments of Blacksmithing I", and "Rudiments II" all in one package.

      Techniques that will be covered:

      Shop Safety
      Basic Hammer Technique
      Fire Management
      Drawing Out
      Scrolling
      Bending
      Isolating Mass
      Shouldering
      Dishing
      Punching and Drifting
      Splitting
      Forge Welding
      Basic Tool and Tong Making
      Sculptural Forging

      27 hours of class in 9 meetings of 3 hours each       Tuition: $790

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • The Russian Rose

      The Russian Rose is a fairly simple design that, in its simplest form, can be bashed out in ten or twelve heats.
      Done small, it can be a hair stick, made larger, it can be one of a dozen for a grand presentation.

      We will have time to make several tries at variations on this basic rose.
      There are tweaks we will try... exercises in pre-allocation of mass and curve; adding petals, and adding flare.

      3 hours, one meeting       Tuition: $125

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • A DIY Off-the-Grid Guerilla Patternwelded Billet

      We'll be making a small (~1/2" x 1/2" x 5") billet or two of pattern-welded steel, what many call "Damascus Steel".
      We will work with readily available steels (mild, strapping, hacksaw, transformer, bandsaw, bedrail...) to create a billet of layered steel that can be used to make any number of ornamental items (cufflinks and studs, door handles, buckles, forks, spoons... maybe the side plates on a San Mai Knife perhaps? Just... sayin'.)
      We'll discuss various ways of affecting the pattern... twisting, drilling, grinding, folding, cutting... then choose one to try.

      The expected 'product' of this class is... a chunk of metal. With which something cool may be done.

      Note: We'll be spattering molten borax around the room, dress appropriately.

      9 hours in 3 three hour meetings       $375

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • A San Mai Knife

      We'll be making a smallish general use knife whose blade has a solid steel core and sides made of... something else (mild steel, wrought iron, purchased patternweld, the result from our Patternweld Billet class...), forged, annealed, filed and ground, hardened, tempered, and handled.
      The student will have the choice of making the handle a pinned-slab full-tang or a whittle-tang.
      We have some handle-wood, if there's something in particular you want to use, bring it.

      Note: It should be expected that completion of the knife handle will require work done outside of class (Open Smithy at PHF, or in the Student's own workshop), our supply of woodworking tools is limited.

      12 hours in 4 three hour sessions       Fee: $500

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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  • Knives:
    Leather Sheathmaking -- An Introduction - Whittle Tang Knife - Make a Tomahawk from a Railroad Spike! - Knives, Knives, and More Knives - A Hatchet in the Viking Style - A San Mai Knife - Making a Warhammer - Viking Woman's Knife


    • 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.

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    • 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 Nothing but Knives class. In the second meeting we will install and finish the handle.

      If time allows, we will discuss sheath options.

      6 hours in two meetings       Fee: $210

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Make a Tomahawk from a Railroad Spike!

      In this class you'll start with a plain or garden-variety Railroad Spike, and end up with a small hand-axe that's anything but plain. You'll learn how to forge a small axe-blade, get in some more practice punching and drifting eyes, and split, carve, and install a handle in the process.
      Emphasis will be on making a striking and attractive pseudo-weapon.

      Three 3-hour sessions.       Tuition: $375

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Knives, Knives, and More Knives

      You've already made a simple blacksmith knife.
      We'll be making knives with rat-tail handles, whittle-tang knives with wooden handles, knives with wooden slab handles. Knives made from automotive coil spring, knives made from bed-rail, knives made from strapping steel, knives made from saw blades. Utility knives, cooking knives, nut choppers, craft knives, necklace knives, camping knives... You get the picture, lots of knives in as many ways as we have time for.

      To some degree, the choice of knives made will be influenced by the class' desires, but the instructor reserves the right to stipulate the occasional "learning experience".

      8 meeting three hours each       $910

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • A Hatchet in the Viking Style

      We'll be making a light wrap-around hatchet with a Viking-ish feel to it (We will be drawing out cusps on the cheeks of the eye). The body of the tool will be mild steel bent around the eye and forge welded together. A spring steel edge will be welded in so that the tool's edge can be hardened and tempered.
      The finished head will be around 8oz.
      This same recipe and collection of techniques, once the student has a handle on them, can be used to make ax or hatchet heads of any size the forge will get hot enough.

      Techniques:
      Drawing-out, shouldering, spreading, measuring, bending, *welding*, heat-treating, sharpening.

      It's not expected that we will get all the way to hanging (putting the handle in) the hatchet, but there will certainly be discussion of the process.

      9 hours in three 3 hour meetings       Tuition: $375

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • A San Mai Knife

      We'll be making a smallish general use knife whose blade has a solid steel core and sides made of... something else (mild steel, wrought iron, purchased patternweld, the result from our Patternweld Billet class...), forged, annealed, filed and ground, hardened, tempered, and handled.
      The student will have the choice of making the handle a pinned-slab full-tang or a whittle-tang.
      We have some handle-wood, if there's something in particular you want to use, bring it.

      Note: It should be expected that completion of the knife handle will require work done outside of class (Open Smithy at PHF, or in the Student's own workshop), our supply of woodworking tools is limited.

      12 hours in 4 three hour sessions       Fee: $500

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Making a Warhammer

      A pointy thumpy bit to put on the end of a stick.

      four 3 hour meetings       Tuition: $390

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Viking Woman's Knife

      We will be forging, heat-treating, and sharpening a knife in the style known as a Viking Woman's Knife. The name comes from them being found near the hip in the graves of viking-era women.

      The knife will have a long drawn-out tang bent around to make the handle. We will start directly in high-carbon spring steel. The knife is expected to be slim and light, close attention to the work in the fire will be vital.

      If there is time on the last day we may have a chance to get a start on a leather sheath, to be finished at home.

      Nine hours in 3 three-hour sessions       Fee: $375 per person

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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  • Projects:
    Arrowhead: The armor-piercing bodkin point - Butterfly Hinges - Wrought Iron Candlestick - Corkscrews - Cubicle Hooks - Fire Tools - Firesteel (aka Fire Striker) - Heart-Shaped Trivet - Leather Sheathmaking -- An Introduction - Letter Openers - Nothing but Knives - Simple Knives - Small (Jeweler's) Hammers - Teen Knives - Tent Stakes and Open Smithy - Toasting Forks - Tripods - Whittle Tang Knife - Zero to BlacksmithingII - Zero to BlacksmithingIII - Wrought Iron Bracelets - Make a Tomahawk from a Railroad Spike! - Making Your Mark - Nailmaking - Sheath Your Knife - Iron Carving - The Trivet, a Matched-Scroll Project - The Russian Rose - A Forged Iron Bottle Opener - The Wrought Iron Churchkey - Bracelets II - A Hatchet in the Viking Style - A DIY Off-the-Grid Guerilla Patternwelded Billet - A Shopmade Tap and Die - Metal Roses, Copper and Steel - Making a Warhammer - Learning to Make a Chef's Knife - Making Your Own Thread - A Wrought Frying Pan


    • 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: $140

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • 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: $250

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • 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.       No longer offered

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • 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, this 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 your wine.

      "You're going to have to change this design... It makes wine toooo accessible." - A.Z. (student who made a nice one. Then tested it.)

      These make nice gifts (especially when you demonstrate that it really does work, on that bottle of nice wine you brought along).

      3 hours, one meeting       $125

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • 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.

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    • 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.

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    • 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: $140

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • 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.

      6 hours, 2 3-hour sessions.       $210

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • 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.

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    • 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.

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    • 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, flattening, shouldering, pre-allocation of bend and mass, beveling, annealing, filing, hardening, tempering, and sharpening.

      9 hours in three 3 hour meetings       $375

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • 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 use. This class is intended for students with at least some previous experience in the smithy -- we require that the student have taken at least A Taste of Blacksmithing, and recommend Rudiments of Blacksmithing, or equivalent experience, or more. The more prior forging and heat management experience you have, the better your knife will come out. There is another class, Nothing But Knives , for those who want to skip straight to making things with edges, though we still recommend at least some prior experience.

      Techniques include: straightening, drawing out, hammering high-carbon steel, twisting, flattening, annealing, filing, grinding, hardening, and tempering.

      1 4.5-hour session, with a brief break.       This class is no longer offered, it takes more than a single session to do anything like a proper job of making a knife.

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • 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.

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    • 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.

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    • 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.

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    • 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.

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    • 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.

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    • 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 Nothing but Knives class. In the second meeting we will install and finish the handle.

      If time allows, we will discuss sheath options.

      6 hours in two meetings       Fee: $210

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • 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.       $400

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • 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.       $400

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Wrought Iron Bracelets

      Make a wrought iron bracelet in just a few hours. Use traditional blacksmithing techniques to make a distinctly non-traditional item. Work an iron bar with fire and water, hammer and tongs, vise and anvil. Learn about heat control, hammer control, and self-control while creating a ready-to-wear bracelet with a tapered, sinuous motif. Techniques will include forging (flaring and drawing to a taper), bending, and twisting.

      3 hours (and maybe a little)       Fee: $75

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Make a Tomahawk from a Railroad Spike!

      In this class you'll start with a plain or garden-variety Railroad Spike, and end up with a small hand-axe that's anything but plain. You'll learn how to forge a small axe-blade, get in some more practice punching and drifting eyes, and split, carve, and install a handle in the process.
      Emphasis will be on making a striking and attractive pseudo-weapon.

      Three 3-hour sessions.       Tuition: $375

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Making Your Mark

      We will approach the punch-making process from a few directions:

      • Carving the design directly on the end of a punch (un-framed punch)
      • Carving/punching the design into the end of a punch (framed punch)
      • Carving the design to punch in the end of another punch (a master for a framed punch)
      We'll cover theory, filing, sawing, counterpunching, super-quenching, annealing, hardening and tempering, and the tools necessary.

      And maybe a bit of type design, as needed.

      If you have a binocular magnifier or a pair (or two) of strong reading glasses, bring them.
      (Ocean State Job Lot has them pretty cheap, go for the +3 diopter ones)

      Total 9 hours in three three-hour meetings       Fee: $375

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Nailmaking

      We will make a nail header and then use it to make hand-wrought nails.

      The cost of the class includes 3 hours of Open Smithy (at a discounted rate) for the continued making of nails.

      Techniques:  drawing, hardening, tempering, upsetting, punching,  cutting,  heading nails.

      One session, 3 hours       Fee: $190

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Sheath Your Knife

      In the first session of this class, we will demonstrate the process of making a custom sheath to fit oyur knife.
      In the second session, you can complete your sheath or, if you've been zipping along, make a second sheath under supervision.
      A variety of leathers and all the necessary tools will be provided. If there's a particular leather you have that you want to use, bring it and we'll see if it's suitable.

      There will be an $8 materials fee for this class.

      Don't forget to bring your knife with you!

      6 hours, 2 meetings.       Tuition: $145.00

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • 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       $250

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • The Trivet, a Matched-Scroll Project

      In this class, we will sharpen our eye and improve our bending skills. We will make three matched one-ended scrolls with the ends bent down to make feet. We will collar them together with six collars to make a highly functional, sturdy, and possibly elegant three-legged trivet.

      The student will have a choice whether to make it more suited to table-use or hearth-use.

      6 hours, 2 meetings       Fee: $210 ($175 for past R3 students who made the pair of scrolls)

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • The Russian Rose

      The Russian Rose is a fairly simple design that, in its simplest form, can be bashed out in ten or twelve heats.
      Done small, it can be a hair stick, made larger, it can be one of a dozen for a grand presentation.

      We will have time to make several tries at variations on this basic rose.
      There are tweaks we will try... exercises in pre-allocation of mass and curve; adding petals, and adding flare.

      3 hours, one meeting       Tuition: $125

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • A Forged Iron Bottle Opener

      This bottle opener is an excellent first project.

      The student is introduced to the blacksmith's techniques of flattening, bending, hot-cutting, drawing-out to a taper, chamfering, more bending, and twisting (in that order).
      This class also serves as a pre-requisite for classes that have "A Taste of Blacksmithing" as a pre-requisite.

      In the end, the student can reasonably expect to have a pleasantly hefty handful of bottle-opening wonderfulness.

      3 hours, one meeting       Tuition: $85

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • The Wrought Iron Churchkey

      We will be making a churchkey-style bottle opener from 1" x 1/4" mild steel.
      (They seem to be all the rage among blacksmiths these days, I blame Mark Aspery)

      Techniques involved:
      Chamfering
      Punching
      Drawing/stretching on the horn
      Using a set-tool
      Bending
      and finally, prying.

      3 hours, 1 meeting.       Fee: $125

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Bracelets II

      We'll use traditional blacksmithing techniques to make a distinctly non-traditional item. We'll work an iron bar with fire and water, hammer and tongs, vise and anvil and learn about heat control, hammer control, and self-control while creating an iron bracelet with a tapered, sinuous motif.

      Techniques will include forging (drawing out, tapering, square-octagonal-round), bending, twisting, and planning ahead.

      Two 3 hour meetings       Fee: $150

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • A Hatchet in the Viking Style

      We'll be making a light wrap-around hatchet with a Viking-ish feel to it (We will be drawing out cusps on the cheeks of the eye). The body of the tool will be mild steel bent around the eye and forge welded together. A spring steel edge will be welded in so that the tool's edge can be hardened and tempered.
      The finished head will be around 8oz.
      This same recipe and collection of techniques, once the student has a handle on them, can be used to make ax or hatchet heads of any size the forge will get hot enough.

      Techniques:
      Drawing-out, shouldering, spreading, measuring, bending, *welding*, heat-treating, sharpening.

      It's not expected that we will get all the way to hanging (putting the handle in) the hatchet, but there will certainly be discussion of the process.

      9 hours in three 3 hour meetings       Tuition: $375

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • A DIY Off-the-Grid Guerilla Patternwelded Billet

      We'll be making a small (~1/2" x 1/2" x 5") billet or two of pattern-welded steel, what many call "Damascus Steel".
      We will work with readily available steels (mild, strapping, hacksaw, transformer, bandsaw, bedrail...) to create a billet of layered steel that can be used to make any number of ornamental items (cufflinks and studs, door handles, buckles, forks, spoons... maybe the side plates on a San Mai Knife perhaps? Just... sayin'.)
      We'll discuss various ways of affecting the pattern... twisting, drilling, grinding, folding, cutting... then choose one to try.

      The expected 'product' of this class is... a chunk of metal. With which something cool may be done.

      Note: We'll be spattering molten borax around the room, dress appropriately.

      9 hours in 3 three hour meetings       $375

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • A Shopmade Tap and Die

      We will go through the moves to make our own matching tap and die (non-standard in both thread profile and and pitch).

      Using wire as a guide, we will hand saw (then perhaps file) a thread on a rod, then taper, flute, and harden it, then use that tap to thread a hole which we will then taper and flute to make a die, and with that we will be able to cut the real thread on a new rod, and turn that into the real tap.

      12 hours in four 3-hour meetings       Fee: $390

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Metal Roses, Copper and Steel

      This class will use the familiar rose shape as an introduction to smithing skills and tools.

      The first half of the class will be an introduction to various common tools and techniques used in shaping metal as you use a hammer and anvil to draw, flatten, taper, and bend copper into a rose you can take home.
      Once you've had the opportunity to practice these moves the second half of the class will focus on applying these techniques to a harder metal, still using traditional tools and techniques but this time with hot steel.
      At the end of the second half you will have a second rose, made out of steel, to bring home.

      6 hours, one meeting (with lunchbreak)       Tuition: $250

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Making a Warhammer

      A pointy thumpy bit to put on the end of a stick.

      four 3 hour meetings       Tuition: $390

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Learning to Make a Chef's Knife

      This class is particularly for professional cooks who'd like to develop the skills necessary to make their own knives.

      We'll be starting with no blacksmithing skills, and aiming the practice toward the skills needed to produce a reasonable-length cooking knife with a full-tang, pinned wooden slab handle.

      In the first few meetings, we'll work on basic skills; fire lighting and tending, swinging the hammer effectively, and developing a sense of how the metal flows under the hammer.

      When it comes to the making of the knife, we'll be upcycling readily available high-carbon steel, cutting out the rough shape with an abrasive saw, forging the tapers for the point and the edge, filing and grinding the blade, drilling the tang and slabs, hardening, differential-tempering, assembling and gluing-up the handle, shaping the handle, and sharpening.

      6 three-hour meetings       Tuition: $590

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Making Your Own Thread

      We'll be hand-carving a tap
      to make a die
      to make a tap
      to make a die
      to make a tap
      By which step the tap and die should be usable for making functional items like nuts and bolts, clamps, hand-vises...

      There will be lots of filing and heat-treating.
      And a bit of hammering. These things will need handles.

      Note: the threads we make will be utterly personal. Non-standard in nearly every way.

      It is currently unclear whether we will continue on and make a c-clamp with our new taps and dies.

      Length unknown at this time       Fee: also unknown at this time

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • A Wrought Frying Pan

      In this class you'll make a ~10" frying pan starting with a disc of 10ga mild steel and a length of flat-stock.
      You'll slot-punch the end to make a ring on the handle, taper to improve the balance (and elegance) of the pan, you'll dish and raise the sheet steel to to form the "bowl" of the pan, and rivet the two together making a solid whole.
      This is a chance to make a pan that works well over a campfire where conventional fry-pan handles are way too short.
      These same basic techniques can be used in the making of ladles, egg spoons, and XXXsomethingXXXelseXXX.

      Roughly 6 hours, (it'll be a full day)       Tuition:$7000

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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  • Traditional:
    Making Bloomery Iron - Arrowhead: The armor-piercing bodkin point - Butterfly Hinges - Wrought Iron Candlestick - Fire Tools - Firesteel (aka Fire Striker) - Hammer Skills - Leather Sheathmaking -- An Introduction - Saugus Ironworks Founders Day Iron Pour - Teen Knives - Tent Stakes and Open Smithy - Toasting Forks - Tripods - Zero to BlacksmithingII - Zero to BlacksmithingIII - Nailmaking - Calligraphy for Blacksmiths I - Ready, Set, Smith! - A Hatchet in the Viking Style


    • 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.

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    • 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: $140

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • 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: $250

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • 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.       No longer offered

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • 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.

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    • 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: $140

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • 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.

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    • 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.

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    • 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.

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    • 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.

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    • 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.

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    • 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.

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    • 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.

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    • 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.       $400

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • 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.       $400

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Nailmaking

      We will make a nail header and then use it to make hand-wrought nails.

      The cost of the class includes 3 hours of Open Smithy (at a discounted rate) for the continued making of nails.

      Techniques:  drawing, hardening, tempering, upsetting, punching,  cutting,  heading nails.

      One session, 3 hours       Fee: $190

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Calligraphy for Blacksmiths I

      We will be learning to draw the Roman alphabet. First as what my calligraphy professor, Arnold Bank called "Simple Hand"; an un-serifed version of the letters you are probably reading right now. The focus will be on shape and spacing. Then if time and class progress permit, we will move on to serifed Roman.

      The Roman hand is deceptively simple-looking and plain. It is perhaps the least forgiving of any calligraphic hand, you cannot hide mistakes with fiddly gew-gahs. Being able to do it well is no small achievement.
      Know this ahead: It will be frustrating, you will make a lot of ugly letters. It's OK.

      12 hours in 6 two-hour meetings       Tuition: $300

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Ready, Set, Smith!

      A straight-through series of classes roughly equivalent to the usual PHF offerings of "A Taste of Blacksmithing", "Rudiments of Blacksmithing I", and "Rudiments II" all in one package.

      Techniques that will be covered:

      Shop Safety
      Basic Hammer Technique
      Fire Management
      Drawing Out
      Scrolling
      Bending
      Isolating Mass
      Shouldering
      Dishing
      Punching and Drifting
      Splitting
      Forge Welding
      Basic Tool and Tong Making
      Sculptural Forging

      27 hours of class in 9 meetings of 3 hours each       Tuition: $790

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • A Hatchet in the Viking Style

      We'll be making a light wrap-around hatchet with a Viking-ish feel to it (We will be drawing out cusps on the cheeks of the eye). The body of the tool will be mild steel bent around the eye and forge welded together. A spring steel edge will be welded in so that the tool's edge can be hardened and tempered.
      The finished head will be around 8oz.
      This same recipe and collection of techniques, once the student has a handle on them, can be used to make ax or hatchet heads of any size the forge will get hot enough.

      Techniques:
      Drawing-out, shouldering, spreading, measuring, bending, *welding*, heat-treating, sharpening.

      It's not expected that we will get all the way to hanging (putting the handle in) the hatchet, but there will certainly be discussion of the process.

      9 hours in three 3 hour meetings       Tuition: $375

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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  • Family:
    A Private Party at the Forge - Hammer Skills - Hammer Skills - Rudiments of Blacksmithing I - Firesteel (aka Fire Striker) - Making Bloomery Iron - Saugus Ironworks Founders Day Iron Pour - Zero to BlacksmithingII - Zero to BlacksmithingIII - A Tween's First Taste of Blacksmithing - RR Spike Bottle Opener - Wrought Iron Bracelets - Medieval Knife Camp - Forging Aluminum (cold) for the Young and the Interested - Field trip to Higgins Armory Museum


    • 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.

      Class length: Negotiable       The fees for Private Parties are negotiated on a case-by-case basis.

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Hammer Skills

      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


    • 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.

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    • Rudiments of Blacksmithing I

      This class picks up where "A Taste of Blacksmithing" and "A Forged Iron Bottle Opener" leave off. You'll learn more about shop safety and begin to work on forge-fire management, while being guided through projects that will begin to build your repertoire of basic blacksmithing techniques, including:
      drawing out
      bending
      cutting
      twisting
      upsetting
      splitting
      punching
      drifting
      riveting
      anticipatory choreography
      and using:
      slitting chisel
      top&bottom swage
      monkey tool
      The projects in Rudiments I are a barbecue fork and a pair of smithing tongs. There will be time after the hammers are down for questions and further discussion.

      12 hours total in either four 3-hour sessions or five 2.5-hour sessions.       Fee: $390; a $100 discount applies if signing up for three sequential Rudiments classes at once, total $1070.

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • 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: $140

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • 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.

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    • 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.

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    • 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.       $400

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • 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.       $400

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • A Tween's First Taste of Blacksmithing

      The discovery of iron and how to work it changed human history. Tools, weapons, and daily life haven't been the same since. This is your "tween's" chance to learn to control one of the basic elements of modern human life.

      In this class he or she will be introduced to the basic smithing techniques of hammering, drawing-out, cutting, bending, and twisting. Using these techniques and a coal-fired forge your child will heat a piece of iron to brilliant incandescence and with anvil, hammer, and tongs create a decorative and useful hook designed to be driven into a post or beam.

      This class is not limited to tweens (Yes, Mom or Dad, you can take the class, too), but we do try to make sure that the tweens outnumber the older students. The material presented is similar to that in our regular "A Taste of Blacksmithing" and "A Teen's First Taste of Blacksmithing" classes, but with less detailed lecture content, to better suit younger students, and a simpler project -- a blunt-ended drive-hook.

      Enrollment is limited to four students, so that they don't have to share tools and workspace, and each student gets more working-time and more attention from the instructor than in the teen or adult versions of the class.

      one meeting 3.5 hours with a 1/2 hour lunch break.       Fee: $100

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • RR Spike Bottle Opener

      We'll start with an old railroad spike, and wind up with something that can open bottles, and is still recognizable as a RR spike. Intended for rail enthusiasts to have fun with some smithing, this class will involve twisting, drawing out, dishing, and the fiddly work of adjusting a bottle opener so that it works. This class is NOT generally a substitute for "A Taste of Blacksmithing".

      1 three-hour meeting       Fee: $125

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Wrought Iron Bracelets

      Make a wrought iron bracelet in just a few hours. Use traditional blacksmithing techniques to make a distinctly non-traditional item. Work an iron bar with fire and water, hammer and tongs, vise and anvil. Learn about heat control, hammer control, and self-control while creating a ready-to-wear bracelet with a tapered, sinuous motif. Techniques will include forging (flaring and drawing to a taper), bending, and twisting.

      3 hours (and maybe a little)       Fee: $75

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Medieval Knife Camp

      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 and a chunk of a tree.

      We'll forge the tang, then the blade, file to shape and heat treat the blade. Then we'll install and finish the handle, and if time allows, we will make a leather sheath.

      15 hours in five meetings       Tuition: $490

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Forging Aluminum (cold) for the Young and the Interested

      Working cold aluminum is a lot like working hot iron, but without the danger of learning what burning human flesh smells like. In this class we will introduce the student (age eight or older) to the basic smithing techniques of hammering, drawing-out, cutting, bending, and twisting. Using these techniques and a piece of aluminum, you and your child will create decorative and useful 'S'-hooks (one each!) with anvil, hammer, and tongs. Some students may instead be guided through the making of a J-Hook.

      This class is not limited to youngsters (a parent or guardian is required for those under ten). The material presented is similar to that in our "A Tween's First Taste of Blacksmithing" classes, but without the heat.

      Enrollment is limited to four students, so that they don't have to share tools and workspace. This class is offered at a variety of times of day and week to suit the schedules of un-schoolers, home-schoolers, and conventional-schoolers.

      one meeting, 2 hours.       (no longer offered)

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Field trip to Higgins Armory Museum

      We'll be arriving at the museum around noon, and staying till about 3:00, then moving to a local burger joint (Wild Willy's) for a late lunch. Carl will give brief impromptu lectures on various aspects of the armor on display (as of course will the museum guides and some of the other folks who are joining us).

      Some of us will be carpooling from the forge. If you're interested in being one of that group, drop us a note to let us know to expect you, and make sure we have your cell number (if you have one).

      Wild Willy's, where we expect to go for late lunch after the Higgins, has ample seating for the number of people we expect, is near the museum (a short drive, not really a walk), has GF options, but does NOT have much to offer vegetarians -- fries (good ones!) and salads and that's about it. They *do* have ice cream and frappes, though, for what that's worth. So, if you're a vegetarian/vegan/piscatorian, please bring a bag lunch so you can stay with the group for the social experience.

      (http://www.wildwillysburgers.com/grub.cfm)

      We're not organizing this enough to attempt to get a group rate. Admission is $12 for adults.

      Roughly three hours, one meeting       $12 for adults, with appropriate discounts for kids and families.

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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  • Teen-Classes:
    Boy Scout Metalworking Merit Badge


    • Boy Scout Metalworking Merit Badge

      In Session One, the scouts learn a bit about safety in the smithy and basic smithing skills such as forging, bending, curling, twisting and annealing. They do so in a way that satisfies the BSA MB requirements to make a right-angle and a U-shaped bend, taper to a point, twist hot steel, and work-harden and anneal non-ferrous metal. During the course of all that, we have them make a useful and hopefully decorative wall hook, which we help them hot-punch so it can be hung up at home.

      In Session 2, they make a simple center-punch, a temper-color index and a piece of their own design, using the skills they've learned and adding solid riveting as well. The design for this piece is to be vetted by the MB counselor before Session 2.

      Session 1 is about 2.5 hrs, Session 2 is about 3.5 hrs.        Tuition: $700 for as many as four students, $1000 for five to eight students.

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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  • Intermediate:
    Wrought Iron Candlestick - Fire Tools - Rudiments of Blacksmithing II - Rudiments of Blacksmithing III - Striker Team - Rudiments of Blacksmithing IV - Rudiments of Blacksmithing V - Sunday Afternoon at the Forge - Rudiments of Blacksmithing VI - Arrowheads and other hollow, conic forms - Applied Ironcarving Workshop - Making Blacksmith Tools - Make a Tomahawk from a Railroad Spike! - Making Your Mark - Exploring Blacksmithing II - The Wrought Iron Churchkey - Keep on Smithin' - A Shopmade Tap and Die - Guided Open Smithy - A Wrought Frying Pan


    • 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.       No longer offered

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • 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.

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    • 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.

      12 hours total in either 4 3-hour sessions or 6 2-hour sessions.       Fee: $390; a discount applies if signing up for three sequential Rudiments classes at once.

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • 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: $390; a discount applies if signing up for three sequential Rudiments classes at once.

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • 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.

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    • Rudiments of Blacksmithing IV

      Rudiments IV can be seen as the first four weeks of Basics II.
      In Basics II (Rudiments 4,5,6) each meeting starts with lighting the fire and adding another link to the chain. Then we get on about the rest of the class.

      We will cover:
      - basics of identifying and learning to heat-treat unknown steel.
      - making an eye-punch/maker's mark
      - the Square-Octagonal-Round exercise/demonstration-of-skill
      - making a welded twisted-basket-motif s-hook

      and whatever might fit in or answer a question as time permits.

      4 three hour meetings       Fee: $390; a discount applies if signing up for three sequential Rudiments classes at once.

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Rudiments of Blacksmithing V

      Rudiments V can be seen as the second four weeks of four weeks of our Basics II Series.
      In Basics II (Rudiments 4,5,6) each meeting starts with lighting the fire and adding another link to the chain. Then we get on about the rest of the class.

      We will cover:
      - Lap-welding and Cleft-welding and the heat control that goes with
      - Scrolling-in-air, making a juggling ball
      - Working to a drawing
      - Working as Master and Striker, with and without set tools

      and whatever might fit in or answer a question as time permits.

      12 hours in 4 meetings       Fee: $390; a discount applies if signing up for three sequential Rudiments classes at once.

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • 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.

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    • Rudiments of Blacksmithing VI

      Rudiments VI can be seen as the third four weeks of our Basics II Series.
      In Basics II (Rudiments 4,5,6) each meeting starts with lighting the fire and adding another link to the chain. Then we get on about the rest of the class.

      We will cover:
      - Making a small hammer head and how to put a handle on it
      - Threading the needle
      - Collar welding and if there's time threading a bolt on the hardy
      - Working with Wrought Iron, the joys and the pitfalls

      and whatever might fit in or answer a question as time permits.

      12 hours in 4 meetings       Fee: $390; a discount applies if signing up for three sequential Rudiments classes at once.

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • 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       (See our Bodkins class)

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • 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: $250

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Making Blacksmith Tools

      We'll be making tongs of several sorts (but not the rivets, we'll do that the easier way), we may make a medium-sized hammer (maybe convert a ballpein to a crosspein), some punches and chisels, a bending 'U' with the notches for diagonal bending, a box-joint plier, a bottom-tool blank/anvil block, a bick-iron, at least one kind of cutting hardy, a spring fuller... many of the tools you are used to finding on (or somewhere near) the bench at PHF.

      Exact content of the class is somewhat up to the class members. The focus will be on the mental tools (techniques and approaches to answering your tool needs) more than actually making every physical tool you need.

      Some of the tools will require the class to get together and do some gang-hammering Striker-Team-style.

      12 meetings at least, 3 hours each        Fee: $1200

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Make a Tomahawk from a Railroad Spike!

      In this class you'll start with a plain or garden-variety Railroad Spike, and end up with a small hand-axe that's anything but plain. You'll learn how to forge a small axe-blade, get in some more practice punching and drifting eyes, and split, carve, and install a handle in the process.
      Emphasis will be on making a striking and attractive pseudo-weapon.

      Three 3-hour sessions.       Tuition: $375

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Making Your Mark

      We will approach the punch-making process from a few directions:

      • Carving the design directly on the end of a punch (un-framed punch)
      • Carving/punching the design into the end of a punch (framed punch)
      • Carving the design to punch in the end of another punch (a master for a framed punch)
      We'll cover theory, filing, sawing, counterpunching, super-quenching, annealing, hardening and tempering, and the tools necessary.

      And maybe a bit of type design, as needed.

      If you have a binocular magnifier or a pair (or two) of strong reading glasses, bring them.
      (Ocean State Job Lot has them pretty cheap, go for the +3 diopter ones)

      Total 9 hours in three three-hour meetings       Fee: $375

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Exploring Blacksmithing II

      For intermediate students, this is an opportunity to work on your own projects under the supervision and direction of a teacher (as opposed to Open Smithy, which has no supervision). Periodically, the teacher will assess the class skills and suggest a topic to work on together for a week or three.

      New students can join the class at appropriate times (i.e., not in the midst of a group topic) for a minimum of 4 weeks.

      4 2.5 hour sessions, meeting once a week       $320 for 4 weeks.

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • The Wrought Iron Churchkey

      We will be making a churchkey-style bottle opener from 1" x 1/4" mild steel.
      (They seem to be all the rage among blacksmiths these days, I blame Mark Aspery)

      Techniques involved:
      Chamfering
      Punching
      Drawing/stretching on the horn
      Using a set-tool
      Bending
      and finally, prying.

      3 hours, 1 meeting.       Fee: $125

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Keep on Smithin'

      This course builds on what you have learned so far so that you can keep on smithing. In these classes you will further refine your skills at the forge and anvil... according to the needs of the group.

      3 hour meetings, 2 or 4 meetings        Tuition: $390/ four weeks, $200/ two weeks

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • A Shopmade Tap and Die

      We will go through the moves to make our own matching tap and die (non-standard in both thread profile and and pitch).

      Using wire as a guide, we will hand saw (then perhaps file) a thread on a rod, then taper, flute, and harden it, then use that tap to thread a hole which we will then taper and flute to make a die, and with that we will be able to cut the real thread on a new rod, and turn that into the real tap.

      12 hours in four 3-hour meetings       Fee: $390

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Guided Open Smithy

      This is a time to work on your own projects with an experienced smith at hand to help work out ideas, techniques, and approaches.

      The experienced smith may be working on something of their own during this session, but their priority is to be there for the students. Feel free to interrupt them at any time.

      3 hours       Fee: $95

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • A Wrought Frying Pan

      In this class you'll make a ~10" frying pan starting with a disc of 10ga mild steel and a length of flat-stock.
      You'll slot-punch the end to make a ring on the handle, taper to improve the balance (and elegance) of the pan, you'll dish and raise the sheet steel to to form the "bowl" of the pan, and rivet the two together making a solid whole.
      This is a chance to make a pan that works well over a campfire where conventional fry-pan handles are way too short.
      These same basic techniques can be used in the making of ladles, egg spoons, and XXXsomethingXXXelseXXX.

      Roughly 6 hours, (it'll be a full day)       Tuition:$7000

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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  • Shop-time:
    Open Smithy - Guided Open Smithy


    • Open Smithy

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

      Hours vary. See below.       $25 per hour 1 hr minimum 10%-off 10-hour-package discount available ($225) (+$10 cash for the forge-fire lesson if needed)

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Guided Open Smithy

      This is a time to work on your own projects with an experienced smith at hand to help work out ideas, techniques, and approaches.

      The experienced smith may be working on something of their own during this session, but their priority is to be there for the students. Feel free to interrupt them at any time.

      3 hours       Fee: $95

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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  • Miscellaneous:
    Striker Team - Exploring Fold Forming - The Pensic War - Sharpening Your Knives - Saugus Ironworks Founders Day Iron Pour - An Evening of Sales (and schmoozing) - I Sebastiani Performance - Two Weeks More Smithin' - Our Fourteen-and-a-halfth Birthday


    • 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.

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    • 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.

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    • 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.

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    • 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.

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    • 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.

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    • An Evening of Sales (and schmoozing)

      Sort of like when we're at a fair or festival, we'll have ironwork and Gift Certificates out on display and available for purchase, some amount of munchies, and some beverages.

      We'll probably be mulling cider, probably toasting marshmallows.

      Let's make an evening of it.       There is no fee for this event

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • I Sebastiani Performance

      Commedia dell'Arte is the ancestor of every sitcom you've ever seen.
      Stock characters in different situations: the rich man, the learned man, the lovers, the helpful servants, the overhelpful servants, the self-serving servants, the thief, the braggart...
      We perform without a script, instead we have a scenario (the outline of the story with entrances and exits).
      We practice until we have it (fairly) straight in our heads, then we perform it for you.

      Our shows are typically family-friendly, our humor is broad-spectrum - from low to high, childish to mature, churlish to scholarly... we do our best to fly the innuendo over the 12-year-olds' heads.

      More information and a brief video Click Here.

      The shows are typically about an hour long. Usually three acts with musical intermezzi.       Admission varies with the venue, usually we ask a donation and/or pass the hat at the end.

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Two Weeks More Smithin'

      This is a two-week extension of a class, either to finish the intended class work, or to explore just a little bit more.

      6 hours in two 3-hour meetings       Fee: $175

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Our Fourteen-and-a-halfth Birthday

      November 1 is Prospect Hill Forge's half-birthday.
      It's been over a year and a half since we've had a party, and 14 and a half years since we started this blacksmithing craziness ... we're still going strong (modulo pandemic) and we'd like to celebrate.

      This will happen in the space we've been using for our Outdoor Classes at 58 Guinan Street, just up the street from the smithy you're used to. (there will be signs)

      We'll be using one-or more of our portable forges to grill on, there'll be a portable loading dock for drinks and nibbles.
      We'll start around 1pm to take advantage of the daylight, and run as late as 7pm (with lights)
      As I write this I have no sense of what the weather might hold for that day, I'm being optimistic. Dress for the weather, we have canopies if necessary. - CW

      Don't come if you're not vaccinated, we still have unvaccinated youngsters in our bubble. Feel free to maintain distance.

      Roughly 6 hours       Feel free to bring something to go on the grill, or on the Loading Dock

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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  • -Online:
    The Raised Vein Leaf - Tying a Knot in a Bar of Steel - Carving a Simple Dragon Head - Corkscrews, the online class. - The Russian Rose Online - Weekly Zoom Demonstration and Social Time (not reeellly a class)


    • The Raised Vein Leaf

      The project for the class will be working through the raised-center-vein leaf motif we use at PHF for the dragon tail-fluke in Rudiments II. Time allowing we may turn it into a pendant or key-fob. The main skill used in this project is the setting of shoulders... setting material down and leaving material high.

      We will be using Zoom as the group-meeting app.
      Clicking the link above will tell you what you need to make it go on your device.
      The Zoom meeting URL will be emailed out at least an hour before class and the meeting will be started 15 minutes before official class start so we can check the tech and maybe visit each other's smithies.
      People on the standby list will have the option of auditing the class (see the fees below) but will be asked to turn off their cameras and microphones until the end of class (emergencies excepted).

      The student must have: (please read this carefully)

      • Their own blacksmithing set up:
        • A forge, lit and running by the beginning of class, type is unimportant (being able to back-down a gas forge while we're talking would likely be good, I don't know yet how much to trust noise-cancellation)
        • An anvil-like object
        • A hammer, 1 to 2 pound, no larger.
        • Tongs to hold the stock
        • Tongs to hold thin, flat material (the leaf)
        • A cutting hardy or chisel
        • A vise is nice especially if your anvil isn't a london pattern with the step.but not vital
        • Eye and ear protection
        • Ear buds or somesuch that fit under your ear protection so that you can hear me while you're hammering.
      • A device that will run Zoom, has a camera, a microphone, and a decent 'net connection while in your work area.
      • The ability to move that device around the work space so I can watch you work from helpful angles. A photographer's tripod and some way to hold your device on it would be marvelous
      • Enough light. So both of us can see what you're doing
      • If you're willing to give a brief tour of your set-up before class, that'd be cool.

      Materials

      At least 6" of 3/8" or 1/2" round or square steel, preferably mild.
      If it's 18" or more long you won't need the stock-sized tongs.

      2-ish hours       Fees: Participating $50, Auditing - Free, come see how it works.

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Tying a Knot in a Bar of Steel

      The project for this class will be tying an overhand knot in a length of round rod.
      It's a simple knot, one of the simplest, but it will serve to demonstrate the principles necessary to tie more complex ones.
      A knot can serve as an ornament in a bar in many situations, a figure-eight knot can make a nice handle on a tool that doesn't mind a bit of fanciness, and especially on your forge-poker and shovel for when you're out doing demos. If your demo tools don't brag for you... make better ones.

      We will be using Zoom as the group-meeting app.
      Clicking the link above will tell you what you need to make it go on your device.
      The Zoom meeting URL will be emailed out at least an hour before class and the meeting will be started 15 minutes before official class start so we can check the tech and maybe visit each other's smithies.
      People on the standby list will have the option of auditing the class (see the fees below) but will be asked to turn off their cameras and microphones until the end of class (emergencies excepted).

      The student must have: (please read this carefully)

      • Their own blacksmithing set up:
        • A forge, lit and running by the beginning of class, type is unimportant (being able to back-down a gas forge while we're talking would likely be good)
        • An anvil-like object
        • A hammer, 1 to 2 pound, no larger.
        • A smaller hammer and/or a softie and a waterlog (a flat wooden hardy tool and a hefty stick for hitting things without leaving marks. Soaked in water.)
        • Tongs to hold the stock, if your stock is short, another pair also, or a pair of pliers
        • A vise, solidly mounted. You'll be pulling sideways in it.
        • A vise-grip-like tool for pulling on the end of your stock is very useful, especially if it's short.
        • A bending 'U' would be useful but not vital
        • Eye and ear protection
        • Ear buds or somesuch that fit under your ear protection so that you can hear me while you're hammering.
      • A device that will run Zoom, has a camera, a microphone, and a decent 'net connection while in your work area.
      • The ability to move that device around the work space so I can watch you work from helpful angles. A photographer's tripod and some way to hold your device on it would be marvelous
      • Enough light. So both of us can see what you're doing
      • If you're willing to give a brief tour of your set-up before class, that'd be cool.

      Materials

      At least 12" of 3/8" or thinner round steel, preferably mild. Thinner (1/4") is better. 24" or longer is better.
      If it's 18" or more long you won't *need* the stock-sized tongs.

      2-ish hours       Fees: Participating $50, Auditing - Free, come see how it works.

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Carving a Simple Dragon Head

      The project for this class will be carving a dragon head on the end of a 1/2" square bar.
      It's a "simple" head in that there is not a lot of ornamentation or detail, those can be added in future versions.
      The process calls for decent stock and hammer control and awareness of angles. The main skills used in this project are: the setting of shoulders and using driven tools to cut and re-shape the material.

      Typically we finish the head out so it will serve as a bottle opener, but there are other options.

      We will be using Zoom as the group-meeting app.
      Clicking the link above will tell you what you need to make it go on your device.
      The Zoom meeting URL will be emailed out at least an hour before class and the meeting will be started 15 minutes before official class start so we can check the tech and maybe visit each other's smithies.
      People on the standby list will have the option of auditing the class (see the fees below) but will be asked to turn off their cameras and microphones until the end of class (emergencies excepted).

      The student must have: (please read this carefully)

      • Their own blacksmithing set up:
        • A forge, lit and running by the beginning of class, type is unimportant (being able to back-down a gas forge while we're talking would likely be good)
        • An anvil-like object with a relatively sharp, but not sharp sharp edge.
        • A hammer, 1.5 to 2.5 pound, no larger.
        • A smaller hammer (~8oz)
        • A softie (a flat wooden hardy tool soaked in water.) or a chunk of wood to grip in the vise.
        • If your stock is short, tongs to hold the stock.
        • A vise, solidly mounted. You'll be hammering in it.
        • A straight chisel
        • A conic pointed punch, the included angle of the point should be less than 90 but more than 60 degrees, and fairly sharp.
        • A holder for the punch and chisel will make it easier to use them. A vise-grip, a tool-holder tongs, a dedicated tool holder...
        • Eye and ear protection
        • Ear buds or somesuch that fit under your ear protection so that you can hear me while you're hammering.
      • A device that will run Zoom, has a camera, a microphone, and a decent 'net connection while in your work area.
      • The ability to move that device around the work space so I can watch you work from helpful angles. A photographer's tripod and some way to hold your device on it would be marvelous
      • Enough light. So both of us can see what you're doing
      • If you're willing to give a brief tour of your set-up before class, that'd be cool.

      Materials

      At least 12" of 1/2" square steel, preferably mild. 24" or longer is better.
      If it's 18" or more long you won't *need* the stock-sized tongs.

      4 hours       Fees: Participating $100, Auditing - Free, come see how it works.

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Corkscrews, the online class.

      In this class we will make a corkscrew suited to opening even the finest of wines.

      Unlike most modern, mass-produced, skinny little corkscrews, this 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 your wine.

      "You're going to have to change this design... It makes wine toooo accessible." - A.Z. (student who made a nice one. Then tested it.)

      These make nice gifts (especially when you demonstrate that it really does work, on that bottle of nice wine you brought along).

      The student must have: (please read this carefully)

      • Their own blacksmithing set up:
        • A forge, lit and running by the beginning of class, type is unimportant (being able to back-down a gas forge while we're talking would likely be good)
        • An anvil-like object with a relatively sharp, but not sharp sharp 90 degree edge.
        • A hammer, 1.5 to 2.5 pound, no larger.
        • A smaller hammer (~8oz)
        • Tongs to hold the stock straight at least, crosswise can be helpful.
        • A corkscrew opening tool. Description and instructions.
        • A bending 'U' would be useful but not vital
        • A bucket of Super Quench. Useful stuff, worth the time to get and make.
        • Eye and ear protection
        • Ear buds or somesuch that fit under your ear protection so that you can hear me while you're hammering.
      • A device that will run Zoom, has a camera, a microphone, and a decent 'net connection while in your work area.
      • The ability to move that device around the work space so I can watch you work from helpful angles. A photographer's tripod and some way to hold your device on it would be marvelous
      • Enough light. So both of us can see what you're doing
      • If you're willing to give a brief tour of your set-up before class, that'd be cool.

      Materials

      At least 14" of 1/4" round steel, preferably mild. 24" or longer is better.
      If it's 18" or more long you won't *need* the stock-sized tongs.

      3 hours, one meeting       Fees: Participating $75. Auditing - Free, come see how it works.

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • The Russian Rose Online

      The Russian Rose is a fairly simple design that, in its simplest form, can be bashed out in ten or twelve heats.
      Done small, it can be a hair stick, made larger, it can be one of a dozen for a grand presentation. We will make fair-sized ones, all the better to see what you're doing.

      We will have time to make several tries at variations on this basic rose.
      There are tweaks we will try... exercises in pre-allocation of mass and curve; adding petals, and adding flare.

      The student must have: (please read this carefully)

      • Their own blacksmithing set up:
        • A forge, lit and running by the beginning of class, type is unimportant (being able to back-down a gas forge while we're talking would likely be good)
        • An anvil-like object with a relatively sharp, but not sharp sharp 90 degree edge.
        • A hammer, 1.5 to 2.5 pound, no larger.
        • A smaller hammer (~8oz)
        • Tongs to hold the stock straight at least, crosswise can be helpful.
        • A vise, anvil with a pritchel or hardy hole, or a pair of visegrips.
        • Eye and ear protection
        • Ear buds or somesuch that fit under your ear protection, or a speaker loud enough for you to hear me while you're hammering.
      • A device that will run Zoom, has a camera, a microphone, and a decent 'net connection while in your work area.
      • The ability to move that device around the work space so I can watch you work from helpful angles. A photographer's tripod and some way to hold your device on it would be marvelous
      • Enough light. So both of us can see what you're doing
      • If you're willing to give a brief tour of your set-up before class, that'd be cool.

      Materials

      Three pieces of least 14" of ~1/4" round steel, preferably mild. 24" or longer is better.
      If it's 18" or more long you won't *need* the stock-sized tongs.

      3 hours, one meeting       Tuition: $95

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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    • Weekly Zoom Demonstration and Social Time (not reeellly a class)

      Each week on Wednesday, there's a Zoom call that starts at 7:30 Eastern with a bit of chatting and at 8pm the demonstration begins.
      Typically it's Carl working through some aspect of a project, sometimes it's something he's solid on and knows what to say when, and sometimes you get to watch and hear him figure it out on the fly.
      Some find that entertaining too.
      And sometimes he takes a request from the audience.

      So far the demos have been (not in any order):

      • Collaring
      • Basket Twist Handle
      • Hot-punching a Trammel Hook
      • Date Punch
      • A Snake Head (by Willow Zietman)
      • Corkscrew
      • The Bodkin Point
      • A Dog-faced Wall Hook
      • Circle-dot-punch
      • Mini Bush Axe
      • Bodkin Arrowhead
      • Pineapple Twist and a Variant
      • Center-tang blade
      • Figure-8 knot in 5/16" round
      • Dishing a spoon on the flat of the anvil
      • The DIY, off-the-grid, guerrilla, Pattern-welded billet
      • Nutcracker
      Most demonstrations last between 30 and 60 minutes and are framed-up as lessons.
      We have a cantilevered camera rig that allows us to give better views of
      what's going on than are generally available in live in-person classes,
      and a second camera for showing the smith's posture and placement.
      Demonstrations are live and questions are welcomed.

      We are recording the demonstrations to be edited only as much as necessary to put up on YouTube.

      Click here to go straight to the meeting (only works during the time mentioned above). Coming in late is fine.

      Note: During the demo, attendees are asked to turn off their cameras,
      and if there's background noise, their microphones.
      This way the views from the smithy can be as large as possible on everyone's screens and distracting noise is minimized.

      If you register for the class (below), time allowing, you will receive an email at 12:05am Thursday morning reminding you about this auspicious occasion.
      The email will also offer advice about what to wear and try to point you to our Online Waiver, which you are welcome to execute, but that's up to you.

      Typically 3 hours       Fee: No charge, click the link and come see.

      Full Description, Dates, and Registration Information.

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