Blacksmithing

The Bowie Knife conjures thoughts of legend and history. In this class students will create their own version of this iconic American knife. Students will begin by forging the blades to shape from high carbon steel bar stock, followed by grinding and heat treating the blade. Once the blades are finished the class will turn to the handles fabricating a guard, bolster and wood handle for their knives.
This class will focus on several key techniques in knifemaking: fitting a guard, as well as shaping and designing hidden tang wooden handles.

The Bowie Knife conjures thoughts of legend and history. In this class students will create their own version of this iconic American knife. Students will begin by forging the blades to shape from high carbon steel bar stock, followed by grinding and heat treating the blade. Once the blades are finished the class will turn to the handles fabricating a guard, bolster and wood handle for their knives.
This class will focus on several key techniques in knifemaking: fitting a guard, as well as shaping and designing hidden tang wooden handles.

The goal of this class is to produce a blade ready for quenching with minimal use of a grinder. The focus will be on the tanto, the dagger carried by samurai. Students will start with a piece of high carbon stock. This class will follow historic processes as closely as possible. Students will forge their bar into a blank of precise dimensions, before hand forging bevels and relevant blade geometry. Then, hand files will be used to finish the blade. Blades that are ready will be quenched at the end of the 2nd day. This class includes an in depth discussion of heat treating, and blades will be clay coated when quenched for a hamon. The third day will start at the forge to make a basic fitting, the habaki, from copper. After that, the class will turn to the wood shop, where students will use hand tools to make a wooden handle and sheath using traditional methods. This class is for intermediate smiths.

The goal of this class is to produce a blade ready for quenching with minimal use of a grinder. The focus will be on the tanto, the dagger carried by samurai. Students will start with a piece of high carbon stock. This class will follow historic processes as closely as possible. Students will forge their bar into a blank of precise dimensions, before hand forging bevels and relevant blade geometry. Then, hand files will be used to finish the blade. Blades that are ready will be quenched at the end of the 2nd day. This class includes an in depth discussion of heat treating, and blades will be clay coated when quenched for a hamon. The third day will start at the forge to make a basic fitting, the habaki, from copper. After that, the class will turn to the wood shop, where students will use hand tools to make a wooden handle and sheath using traditional methods. This class is for intermediate smiths.

The goal of this class is to produce a blade ready for quenching with minimal use of a grinder. The focus will be on the tanto, the dagger carried by samurai. Students will start with a piece of high carbon stock. This class will follow historic processes as closely as possible. Students will forge their bar into a blank of precise dimensions, before hand forging bevels and relevant blade geometry. Then, hand files will be used to finish the blade. Blades that are ready will be quenched at the end of the 2nd day. This class includes an in depth discussion of heat treating, and blades will be clay coated when quenched for a hamon. The third day will start at the forge to make a basic fitting, the habaki, from copper. After that, the class will turn to the wood shop, where students will use hand tools to make a wooden handle and sheath using traditional methods. This class is for intermediate smiths.

Every smith needs a good hacksaw, so why not make your own frame? Students will make a simple, yet sturdy, hacksaw frame with room for individualization and decorative file work. Handles will be turned as part of the class.

Every smith needs a good hacksaw, so why not make your own frame? Students will make a simple, yet sturdy, hacksaw frame with room for individualization and decorative file work. Handles will be turned as part of the class.

If you've taken Taste of the Forge or another basic blacksmithing class at AFS, then you're ready for Taste of the Forge II! This class, taught by blacksmith Steve Gurzler, builds on the students' prior experience to bring them to the next level, pursuing more advanced skills. Like in Taste of the Forge, we will follow the Artist Blacksmiths Association of North America (ABANA) curriculum in a small class format. Students can expect to create 2 or more useful or decorative objects over the course of 3 weekday evenings.

There is nothing more important than having a good grip on a 2000 degree piece of metal and there is nothing more frustrating than when you can't. Take this class and learn how to make tongs that are strong and will properly hold your work. By making your own tongs you'll save money, time, and be working safely while getting needed hammer practice for the hobby blacksmiths.

There is nothing more important than having a good grip on a 2000 degree piece of metal and there is nothing more frustrating than when you can't. Take this class and learn how to make tongs that are strong and will properly hold your work. By making your own tongs you'll save money, time, and be working safely while getting needed hammer practice for the hobby blacksmiths.

There is nothing more important than having a good grip on a 2000 degree piece of metal and there is nothing more frustrating than when you can't. Take this class and learn how to make tongs that are strong and will properly hold your work. By making your own tongs you'll save money, time, and be working safely while getting needed hammer practice for the hobby blacksmiths.

There is nothing more important than having a good grip on a 2000 degree piece of metal and there is nothing more frustrating than when you can't. Take this class and learn how to make tongs that are strong and will properly hold your work. By making your own tongs you'll save money, time, and be working safely while getting needed hammer practice for the hobby blacksmiths.