Blacksmithing

Interested in blacksmithing but unsure how to start? Open Forge Night is the place for you! Every third Wednesday of the month during our blacksmithing season, come see demonstrations by expert blacksmith Steve Gurzler. Observing the demonstration is free and open to the public. If you want to try your hand at blacksmithing there is a $25 fee to cover the cost of materials. Safety precautions must be followed - including hard shoes with no open toes, long pants, goggles (supplied) and gloves (supplied).

The student will hand forge a small Viking Knife, also called a blacksmith knife. The knife is a one piece, all metal design with an integral handle. The blade will be heat treated, ground and sharpened in class. This one-day class will cover the basic theory and practice of knife making and is a good introduction for the beginner.

There are times when a blacksmith needs to assemble parts or make a tool when traditional joinery is inefficient. In this class we'll cover the basics of MIG and Stick Welding while fabricating a simple "Smoosh-O-Matic Guillotine Tool with one or 2 sets of dies. This guillotine tool works well to complete the ABANA Level 1 and 2 tenoned joint requirements.