Description
This is a one-day course in practical hands-on blade smithing, specifically for the forging of knife blades for beginners. Arrival is at 9am, where Gunvor the tutor will introduce the forge. The participant’s individual work spaces as well as health & safety is covered. The correct use of the coke hearths involves how to maintain the fire. How to achieve the correct heat in the right place. The minimum and maximum heat ranges and their corresponding colors. To give you some insight into the working day of a full-time blacksmith Gunvor will usually fill you in as to what’s currently on at the forge. If you are interested in full-time education in the craft, you will get a chance to ask the tutor about her knowledge on this.
Blade Smithing
After this introduction the blade smithing project quickly gets on the go. Its time to sketch your desired blade-type onto ‘blacksmiths paper’ (a rusty sheet). You will use this as a reference for the day. Next you will be given a piece of carbon steel to fit your chosen blade design (max blade lengths allowed is 15 cm for the purpose of being able to finish it properly). Working by eye and free-hand shaping at the anvil is the main focus of hot forging, which will continue to lunch time at 1 pm. Certain types of blades will need more time to finish, this could take until 3-4 pm.
Heat Treatments
After this its time to grind, file and sand. We do not use belt sanders, but believe the use of hand files gives a further insight into how to achieve the correct angles and blade shapes. Once complete the heat treatments will take place. We will use the coke-hearth for this three step process. Its the same way a blacksmith would do the day to day hardening of tools without the use of gadgets – its back to basics! After the hardening is complete, it will be time to sharpen your blade. Handle making must be done at home, so that’s another days work…
Any Questions?
Please go to our ‘Q & A‘
More Anvil time?
If you would like more time at the anvil – perhaps consider signing up for our blacksmithing taster course instead.
Want more theory?
If you are thinking of going into blade-smithing on a professional level and for a more in depth program of the theory of heat treatments – UK blade-smith Owen Bush’s courses come highly recommended: www.owenbush.co.uk
John Yoder (verified owner) –
I have always wanted to make a knife in a forge. So decided to try this. Gunvor made this A perfect experience for me. From the coal forge ( yes Gunvor I know it’s not coal but can’t remember the right name haha) to the polishing she took us through step by step. Allowing us to do whatever we wanted with the knife. I cannot Express how much I would recommend this class if you have ever thought about getting in front of a forge. Thank you both for an amazing day out!!
admin –
Thanks very much John, much appreciated! The fuel we use is coke 🙂
Seán O’Halloran (verified owner) –
This I have to say was one of the most inspiring and enjoyable days out I’ve had in a long time. From the get go, Gunvor was extremely welcoming and patient, answering every question with incredible knowledge and making it so easily accessible for a beginner. At the beginning you’re given a wonderful introduction and then truly thrown into the work; a hammer, an anvil and a piece of steel. you get freedom to work the way you think will work, while Gunvor is ever present to answer any questions, and give you pointers if you ever feel lost as to what to do next. well worth every moment and don’t blame her if you feel the urge to build your own forge at home!!
Scott macbride (verified owner) –
I must say I had a blast at the blade smithing course, so much so i’m going to try and go again as soon as a space opens up. It was a real hands on day and I loved it. Gunvor was fantastic and it was a pleasure to spend the day with her in the forge. I can’t wait to get back to their forge and try some of their other classes. I would highly RECOMMENDED the blade smithing course to anyone. Thanks Gunvor for a great day.
admin –
Thanks a mill Scott! 😀
John Glenny –
Gunvor – Thanks for such a great day on Saturday last. You were immensely patient, it was interesting to take a flat steel profile and bend it, twist it, shape it and hammer it under heat. I think that all six of us were delighted with the blades that we made. For anyone interested in learning a new skill I highly recommend the bladesmithing course.
Gavin Dooley –
Amazing day out! I was surprised with how much freedom we were given. The time taken to explain things and get on with it was excellent!
Gunvor made excellent use of simple playdo to explain how the metal moved and really gave a good insight into why things work as they do.
I WANT TO GO DO IT AGAIN! IT WAS AMAZING!
admin –
Thank you Gavin! Welcome back any time! 🙂
admin –
Thanks very much John!
Scott macbride (verified owner) –
I know this is my second review so I’ll keep it short. I just took the blade-smithing course for the second time and I must say it was as awesome as it was the first time – it was actually even better!
Thanks Gunvor for another great day.
admin –
Cheers Scott, keep up the good work! 🙂
D Larkin –
Fantastic experience fantastic host
admin –
Thank you kindly Denis!
Mark Bolster (verified owner) –
The blade smithing was an amazing experience I can not recommended it enough. Gunvor is an excellent teacher. Explained everything in great detail and then let’s you have at it. It really is cool to see the lump of steel you start with turn into an awesome blade by the end. I enjoyed it so much I have signed up again. Hammering away on that glowing steel is addictive.
admin –
Than you kindly Mark! 😃 Sounds like you’ve been hooked on blacksmithing!
Kevin Westnott (verified owner) –
Really interesting course, I can’t recommend it enough, it’s a really enjoyable day
admin –
Thanks very much Kevin, much appreciated!
Claire Cullivan (verified owner) –
Hi Gunvor. Eoin & Ryan are still buzzing from their bladesmithing experience last Saturday. Thank you for taking them on your course. It was everything & more that they hoped it would be. You have certainly added fuel to the fire in their bellies for forging. We hope to see you again in the not too distant future.
P.S. they apologise again for getting lost in the maze & being late back to class!!
admin –
That’s brilliant, they were great thank you! And they’re not the first to loose their way in that maze – it’s a tricky one 😅
Ronan McGuirk –
What an amazing way to spend a day. My friends and i did the blade smithing course and enjoyed it so much we are already planning our next visit. Gunvor was a great teacher, so skilled and patient as she guided us through the process while giving us total freedom to design and make our own BLADES as we wanted. I cannot recommend it enough, it is such a unique, interesting and hands on experience. Thanks for a great day gunvor.
admin –
Thanks very much Ronan, much appreciated, it was nice to meet you all 🙂
Vincent graham –
Fantastic Day. Really Enjoyable. Thanks to Anhoj
Sean Forsyth (verified owner) –
Loved it! Was a great course, and had a lot of fun doing it. Really loved the knife I made and would recommend this to anyone interested in forging or blade making.
admin –
Thank you very much Sean!
Niamh Spain (verified owner) –
We had a really enjoyable day with Gunvor in the forge making some iron age knives. The course is a great introduction to blacksmithing and working steel, would recommend to anyone interested in metalwork
SJ –
This was a really enjoyable day. I did it with a group of friends and we all had a great experience. Gunvor was a patient teacher and gave us as much help and assistance as we needed while allowing us to work on our own blades. I would highly recommend this.
admin –
Thanks very much Sarah-Jayne, it was nice to meet you all 🙂
Stewart Kenny (verified owner) –
Absolutely love these courses and have done them multiple times – I would not consider myself a very crafty or practical person at all – but under Gunvor’s expert eye and guidance I have produced fantastic and beautiful WORK, that I never thought possible – the workshops are run in a fun and friendly environment and Gunvor has a fabulous teaching style and is so personable and approachable that she is able to break down complex ideas and tasks to simple actions that are easy to achieve and Understand. I would very highly recommend these workshops to anyone no matter what their level or ability.
admin –
Thank you so much Stewart, really appreciate that 😀
Barry O’Neill –
Thoroughly enjoyable knife making course. Really Informative and fully IMMERSIVE. Having been the last member of my family to complete a course I’m upset I didn’t do it sooner ! I will definitely be considering which course to do next !! Thanks Gunvor For the experience !
admin –
That’s awesome Barry, thank you! 🙂
Michel Paschalis (verified owner) –
It was one of the most enjoyable activities I have done in my life. I had a great day and was very happy at the end. So glad I could have this experience, thank you very much!!
admin –
So happy you had a good day Michel! 🙂
Conor Skerritt –
Absolutely wonderful experience in a gorgeous setting. we had a fabulous day at the forge, and got lots of individual attention and theoretical knowledge as well as hands on experience. I would thoroughly recommend! Thanks Gunvor!
admin –
Thank you kindly Conor, really appreciate that! 😀