Introduction to Bladesmithing

This class is taught by renowned instructor and the very first winner of History Channel’s Forged in Fire, Matthew Parkinson. Students can expect to forge and finish one 4-6″ blade antler handled hunting knife, using a gas forge. Topics covered will be working with high carbon steels, knife design, forging a blade to shape, grinding, finishing, heat treating, fitting a guard and attaching a handle. This class is intended as an introductory bladesmithing class, but some forging experience is helpful. Also covered will be the design, construction and finishing of a leather belt sheath. Students will learn how to make a pattern for the individual knife. Then they will cut out, mold, stitch, dye and finish a leather sheath. Special attention will be given to the design of the sheath for good retention of the knife as well as holding up over time.