Blacksmithing Classes
Single Day Knife Making
This is a single day class in which students make a 3-4 inch knife from start to finish. Students start by learning the basics of forging and safety around a blacksmiths shop. They will be taught how to heat treat their own blades, and will leave the class with a finished working knife.
Students are given 2 options:
The curving twisted handle gives this knife it's name "Crookshank" knife. The all metal handle allows me to teach a single day class in which students can leave with a finished product. Making this knife allows future blacksmiths to explore a number of techniques, including twisting and drawing out. A good choice for those who wish to learn more of the craft of blacksmithing.
Forge a full tang knife, with the blade fully sharpened. The tang will be constructed so that you may add a wooden handle yourself at home. This option is ideal if you have experience in woodworking or are generally handy yourself at home.
Hatchet Making
This is what we start with.
In this class students learn to forge a block of stock steel into a camping hatchet. Team striking is a major component of this workshop. Students will learn to work together to forge down larger pieces of steel with sledge hammers. This class is lots of fun and perfect for couples or pairs of friends.
This is what we end with :)
I have just recently changed the format of this class. We are no longer starting with a ball pein hammer, but with a solid block of steel with a slot already punched into it. I feel like this has greatly increased the quality of the final product, and am really happy with the axes coming out of the class now.
Because of this change, and because of increasing prices of steel, the cost of the class has increased.
2 Day Knife Class
This class is the full intensive experience you wont find anywhere else in Florida. Forge your own full tang knife complete with wooden handle, and leather sheath
Each class is dedicated to forging one specific style of blade. The style of blade will rotate. Styles will include, Camp Knives, Kukri, Bowie and Daggers.
The first day is dedicated to forging the steel, and learning the particulars of a good heat treat on a larger knife.
The second day is spent making the handle and leather sheath, as well as sharpening and finishing the knife.
Be ready to work hard and have fun, learn new skills, and go home with a blade that is one of a kind!
Smithing for your Smithy
Forge the most essential tool in any blacksmiths toolbox! A hammer! We will punch the hammer eye, heat treat and attach a handle in this class. We are aiming to forge a 2 1/2 rounding hammer, which, the more I use the more I fall in love with. Come join me to make you own Mjolnir!
This is my first class in which I ask that you have a little experience first. Either you've taken one of my classes, or you've taken one elsewhere. Maybe you already have a small shop and want to increase your skill set. If you are a beginner than this is a fine class for you, as long as you've hammered on steel at some point. You know your own skills. I will take your money either way, but if this is your first time swinging a hammer over an anvil, you may not walk away with finished products.
Damascus Steel: From Billet to Blade
This three day class will take you through all the steps needed to start forging your own Damascus steel knives.
The first day will begin with forge welding the billet into a solid bar, then cutting and re-stacking it to create numerous layers. Students will learn how to forge weld in a gas forge, and how to safely use a mechanical power hammer. Students will have a choice of producing either raindrop or ladder pattern damascus.
The second day we will start by forging our blades from the billet produced. Blades will be single edged and full tang, but otherwise whatever design you might like. After forging we will do our rough grinding in preparation for heat treating. Students will learn how to use a 2x72 belt grinder safely, and how to heat treat a knife.
Day three will be doing all the finish work on our blades. Handle shaping and fitting, polishing wood handle and steel blade, and acid etching to bring out our damascus patterns will all be covered.
Class runs from 9am till 5pm with an hour lunch break in the middle.
We are getting a heck of alot done in a short amount of time in the class. Be prepared to bust your butt!! This is not a class for someone who just wants to make a damascus blade one time to say they did. This is for folks that are serious about bladesmithing.
This is not a class for beginners.
At minimum:
You should already know basic blacksmith shop safety
How to correctly swing a hammer and use tongs
How to forge a taper without instruction
All classes are designed with the beginner in mind, except Smithing for your Smithy. Anyone can be a blacksmith! Do you have a group that wants to schedule a private party? Shoot me an e-mail and we can schedule a class just for you!
All classes are held at Crooked Path Forge. 15min North of Gainesville FL.
Students ages 13-16 must be accompanied by an adult that is taking the class as well. Sorry no one under the age of 13 may take a class.
