Blacksmithing is an age-old craft that appeals to many people from all walks of life: men and women, old and young
Some are exploring a career in blacksmithing, starting a hobby or looking for a once in a lifetime experience.
Most of my students have come away from the course happy they took a chance on this enriching experience and left with handcrafted ironwork they produced!
Basic Blacksmithing Course
This 2 day blacksmithing course is intended to introduce and help the beginning blacksmith or hobbyist develop good basic blacksmithing techniques.
The participant is introduced to the forge, anvil, tools, forge operation, heating steel, and safety practices. The introduction includes forging demonstrations.
The next few hours are spent developing basic skills and techniques to heat and shape metal into the desired shapes and forms.
Beyond the instruction portion of the course, the majority of the participant’s time is spent developing basic blacksmithing skills through working on a selected project. Project ideas include: coat hooks, letter openers, toasting forks, fire tools, and basic candle holders.
The number of projects completed depends on the individual’s personal strength and drive.
The Ironwood Anvil utilizes a propane-powered forge for all work.
Probably the most challenging part of the course is developing precise hammer control and having the physical stamina, due to the fair degree of effort required to hand forge metal. Although blacksmithing is physically demanding work, it is ultimately very rewarding to see a project develop.
This course is very hands-on, but there is also time for discussions of various blacksmithing techniques, design considerations, tool design, shop layout, forge construction and the history of blacksmithing.
Resource information is available for the hobbyist to start at home.
Fee includes all materials used for the basic projects
Basic safety gear is provided
Comfortable fitting cotton clothing and steel toe work boots are recommended.
Note:
Students may be required to pay for any materials used for extra projects outside those for the basic outline
Maximum of 2 students/ session
Course Fee: $650 + tax / person
Courses run 9 am-5 pm each day with a 1 hr lunch break
No Refunds. Date changes are allowed up to 3 weeks before the scheduled course so there is time available to fill the booking with another student