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Our bladesmithing courses during the Covid-19 pandemic

Changes for the better

If you are signed up for one of our bladesmithing courses you will have received an email announcing some changes to the course program.

The first thing we did was to move ‘everything bar the 3 ton power-hammer’ to ensure social distancing. Anvils and work stations are now two metres apart.
Our new set-up includes this little beauty, a gas furnace perfect for blade-smithing. It also doubles up as a handy tool for hardening – and because it’s easy to use, participants can carry out this bit independently.
Next we enrolled Joanna Barry Photography aka @YerOneWithTheCamera to make some instructional videos. These videos will enable participants to get acquainted before arrival, and ensure social distancing & face mask wearing is maintained throughout the course ?

Full tang blades

Wikipedia: ‘A full tang extends the full length of the grip-portion of a handle, versus a partial tang which does not. There are a wide variety of full tang designs. In perhaps the most common design of full tang knives, the handle is cut in the shape of the tang and handle scales are then fastened to the tang by means of pins and epoxy.’

Sadly Covid 19 is not about to go away, so during the summer it became clear we had to simplify the course structure to ensure they could continue in a safe manner. We picked ‘full-tang blades’ as this has been the most popular blade type forged during our courses in the past. Within the theme there is also quite a lot of variation.

You might be wondering what design-options you have – so here are some examples:

Some blades forged during a course, these two have a bevel.
The blades on these two full-tang knives are similar in shape and are both ‘flat grinds’ (no bevel as such) but they are polished differently. The one on the left has a partial polish, so some of the hammered surface has been left in. This is quite a popular way to show that the blade is hand made. Once you arrive you will trace your sketch onto a piece of ‘blacksmiths paper’ (the rusty sheet in the middle of the image) You can chose from various starting stock of EN42 spring steel as pictured (lowest part of image)
Another two full-tang blades made by participants.

Before the course

Before the course you will receive a guide to general blade designs & uses and a ‘design sheet’ which will help you in the designing of your blade. You can also just bring along ‘an image from the internet’ and sketch it out on the day. I’m not looking for anything too accurate, just a general idea of proportions and profile.

If you dont have a printer, just sketch on a plain sheet of A4 paper. The ‘landscape’ dimensions of A4 is 30cm, so that fits the maximum recommended (allowed) length ie a 15cm long blade + the handle.
You will also receive a video link. The first video is an introduction into the use of the anvil and hearth; how to achieve the correct heat in the right place; minimum and maximum heat ranges and their corresponding colors as well as health & safety. The second video shows the various steps in forging and covers tips on hammer and anvil use specific to blade smithing. The third video covers finishing and heat treatment. Please watch all before you arrive.

Polishing the blade during your lunch break.

During the course

9am – 1pm. Once you have picked an anvil and sketched out your design, you will spend the morning hot forging. Since 2010 we must have had at least 2000 participants through the forge and one of the things that people often mention, is their surprise of how much freedom they are given during the forging process. We aim to finish the forging by 1pm where you leave us to grind and sand your blade while you take a break.
1-3pm. Lunch break. The Russborough Café will re-open open 5th July 2021 until then there is take-away food onsite.
3-5pm. Polishing, hardening and sharpening of the blade.

A Lansky diamond knife sharpening kit. You will have one available each.

If you wish to watch a video on how to use these kits click here for the official demo video from Lansky

Covid-19 Safety Measures

  • Social distancing.
  • Facemask wearing (you must bring your own)
  • Additional ‘PPE’ includes a new pair of leather rigger gloves for each participant to bring home after. Safety goggles provided are disinfected after each use (or bring your own if you prefer)
  • All windows and doors will be wide open.
  • Instructional videos to shorten time spent together.
  • Participants have their own set of colour coded hand tools.

See you at the forge! Thanks for reading, Gunvor Anhoj 🙂