Blacksmithing

The National Curriculum offers a step-by-step progression through three levels of fundamental blacksmithing skills. Certification signifies that a smith has demonstrated mastery of a specific set of skills, increasing in complexity with each level: Level I (beginner), Level II (intermediate), Level III (advanced). Level I is the first level of the curriculum and is designed as a guide through beginning blacksmithing techniques. Starting with safety, Level I then moves into core skills and techniques, including tapering, bending, forging and heat-treating hand tools, punching and drifting, basic blacksmithing math, forging to dimension, forge-welding, and creating tenons. It culminates in a final project, the Gate Latch, designed to test the student on these skills. Upon completion of Level I, students will have confidence in the most essential blacksmithing skills and be able to forge a wide variety of projects. The program is designed to provide a solid foundation within the craft. To earn certification, the student needs to successfully complete the projects and techniques as outlined in the checklist in the Level I Student Packet. This is found on the website abana.org The checklist allows students and instructors to keep track of progress. ABANA will accept the recommendation from an Affiliate?s Education Program Chair or the judgment of a Certified Level I Instructor that qualifies a student as having passed Level I.

The National Curriculum offers a step-by-step progression through three levels of fundamental blacksmithing skills. Certification signifies that a smith has demonstrated mastery of a specific set of skills, increasing in complexity with each level: Level I (beginner), Level II (intermediate), Level III (advanced). Level I is the first level of the curriculum and is designed as a guide through beginning blacksmithing techniques. Starting with safety, Level I then moves into core skills and techniques, including tapering, bending, forging and heat-treating hand tools, punching and drifting, basic blacksmithing math, forging to dimension, forge-welding, and creating tenons. It culminates in a final project, the Gate Latch, designed to test the student on these skills. Upon completion of Level I, students will have confidence in the most essential blacksmithing skills and be able to forge a wide variety of projects. The program is designed to provide a solid foundation within the craft. To earn certification, the student needs to successfully complete the projects and techniques as outlined in the checklist in the Level I Student Packet. This is found on the website abana.org The checklist allows students and instructors to keep track of progress. ABANA will accept the recommendation from an Affiliate?s Education Program Chair or the judgment of a Certified Level I Instructor that qualifies a student as having passed Level I.

Come learn fundamental forging techniques while making functional cooking utensils great for the BBQ or kitchen. In this beginner workshop we will explore both one piece forgings as well as two piece riveted construction. You will learn simple hand forging techniques at the anvil and food safe metal finishes.

Come learn fundamental forging techniques while making functional cooking utensils great for the BBQ or kitchen. In this beginner workshop we will explore both one piece forgings as well as two piece riveted construction. You will learn simple hand forging techniques at the anvil and food safe metal finishes.

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 $20 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).

If you've started your blacksmithing journey or may be about to, you need a few basic tools to make forging a little easier. In this class you'll forge a pair of flat jaw tongs, a pair of simple shop calipers and a set of dividers. You'll also learn how to harden and temper tool steel while forging a center punch, cold chisel, and hot chisel.

If you've started your blacksmithing journey or may be about to, you need a few basic tools to make forging a little easier. In this class you'll forge a pair of flat jaw tongs, a pair of simple shop calipers and a set of dividers. You'll also learn how to harden and temper tool steel while forging a center punch, cold chisel, and hot chisel.

If you've started your blacksmithing journey or may be about to, you need a few basic tools to make forging a little easier. In this class you'll forge a pair of flat jaw tongs, a pair of simple shop calipers and a set of dividers. You'll also learn how to harden and temper tool steel while forging a center punch, cold chisel, and hot chisel.

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 $20 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).

In this hands-on class, students will forge their own small Viking-style knife from mild steel. The Viking Knife, often referred to as a blacksmith knife, is a nod to the practical blades once crafted for everyday use. The knife features a one-piece, all metal construction with an integral handle, combining simplicity and durability. Students will learn essential knife-making skills including heat treating, grinding, and sharpening. This class is a solid introduction to the fundamentals of bladesmithing and is great for beginners eager to explore the art of knife making.

Make a classis early American tool used to chop wood, break game, and as a weapon of war. We'll create a tomahawk by wrapping the blade around a drift, and forge welding it together, with a welded carbon steel bit. We'll finish the 'hawk by fitting it to a standard commercial handle. Some blacksmithing experience is needed to successfully complete this project.

Make a classis early American tool used to chop wood, break game, and as a weapon of war. We'll create a tomahawk by wrapping the blade around a drift, and forge welding it together, with a welded carbon steel bit. We'll finish the 'hawk by fitting it to a standard commercial handle. Some blacksmithing experience is needed to successfully complete this project.