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.

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).

In this course, using a Damascus billet you have previously forged or can purchase in this course, students will forge a full tang style EDC knife. Students will heat treat and bevel their knives in preparation for fitting the handle. We will discuss and implement etching processes to reveal the beautiful pattern welded steel., then finish the handle making an eye catching and functional tool. I this course we will discuss in detail forging processes, grinding techniques, fit & finish and etching procedures.

In this course, using a Damascus billet you have previously forged or can purchase in this course, students will forge a full tang style EDC knife. Students will heat treat and bevel their knives in preparation for fitting the handle. We will discuss and implement etching processes to reveal the beautiful pattern welded steel., then finish the handle making an eye catching and functional tool. I this course we will discuss in detail forging processes, grinding techniques, fit & finish and etching procedures.

Taught by renowned instructor and winner of the History Channel?s Forged in Fire, Mace Vitale. The Bowie Knife is America?s most famous knife, steeped in history and legend. In this five-day class, students learn the ins and outs of forging, grinding and heat treating this iconic blade. Once the blades are complete, students will create a guard and handle using steel and wood. Attention will be paid to the feel and balance of these knives, as well as the edge geometry and performance.

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.

Taught by renowned instructor and winner of the History Channel?s Forged in Fire, Mace Vitale. The Bowie Knife is America?s most famous knife, steeped in history and legend. In this five-day class, students learn the ins and outs of forging, grinding and heat treating this iconic blade. Once the blades are complete, students will create a guard and handle using steel and wood. Attention will be paid to the feel and balance of these knives, as well as the edge geometry and performance.

Taught by renowned instructor and winner of the History Channel?s Forged in Fire, Mace Vitale. The Bowie Knife is America?s most famous knife, steeped in history and legend. In this five-day class, students learn the ins and outs of forging, grinding and heat treating this iconic blade. Once the blades are complete, students will create a guard and handle using steel and wood. Attention will be paid to the feel and balance of these knives, as well as the edge geometry and performance.

Taught by renowned instructor and winner of the History Channel?s Forged in Fire, Mace Vitale. The Bowie Knife is America?s most famous knife, steeped in history and legend. In this five-day class, students learn the ins and outs of forging, grinding and heat treating this iconic blade. Once the blades are complete, students will create a guard and handle using steel and wood. Attention will be paid to the feel and balance of these knives, as well as the edge geometry and performance.

Taught by renowned instructor and winner of the History Channel?s Forged in Fire, Mace Vitale. The Bowie Knife is America?s most famous knife, steeped in history and legend. In this five-day class, students learn the ins and outs of forging, grinding and heat treating this iconic blade. Once the blades are complete, students will create a guard and handle using steel and wood. Attention will be paid to the feel and balance of these knives, as well as the edge geometry and performance.

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.

This basic class will give you the foundation needed to start out on your journey of blacksmithing. You'll learn fire management, hammering methods, drawing out, upsetting, cutting, splitting, twisting, and convenience bending along with a demo of forge welding. Make punches and chisels and learn to harden and temper them. Heating material and heat management will be taught and much more.