Blacksmithing

This course is designed for students who have completed a basic class or who have equivalent experience. We will cover the basics of forge-welding, learn to forge weld a loop on a bar, then will move on to forging a short length of chain. ABANA

Dates/Times

• Saturday, October 26, 2024 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Instructor: Steve Gurzler

Member Tuition: $130.00
Non-Member Tuition: $150.00

Material Fee: $25.00 Included in fee shown

Location: AFS, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY

Special Notes: Hard shoes and long pants are required for student's safety.

This class will cover the basic process of forging pattern-welded Damascus steel. Students will weld up several small billets and explore the basics of pattern development. Students will also explore several common methods of forge welding as well as covering the science of forge welding. Students can expect to learn the process of choosing steels that will give good pattern and function well together in the final billet. The class will cover how to lay out and prepare the steel for forge welding both in the starting stack and in subsequent re-stacks. Special attention will be given to hand work and the making of patterns well suited to limited machinery. The main areas of pattern development will be explored as well as touching on some more advanced patterning techniques. Once the billets are forged and patterned, the class will grind and polish a window or sample tile to etch and reveal the pattern. The class will cover several techniques to etch the sample for higher contrast. The techniques taught in class should offer students the building blocks to begin an exploration of Damascus patterns on their own. Experience of basic blacksmithing techniques suggested.

Dates/Times

• Saturday, October 19, 2024 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
• Sunday, October 20, 2024 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Instructor: Matthew Parkinson

Member Tuition: $270.00
Non-Member Tuition: $310.00

Material Fee: $100.00 Included in fee shown

Location: AFS, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY

Special Notes: Hard shoes and long pants are required for student's safety.

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).

Dates/Times

• Wednesday, November 13, 2024 – 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm

Instructor: Steve Gurzler

Member Tuition: $0.00
Non-Member Tuition: $0.00

Material Fee: $25.00 Included in fee shown

Location: AFS, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY

Special Notes: Participants who wish to try their hand in the forge are asked to pre-register and will be asked to provide a $25 materials fee. Observing the demonstration is free and open to the public. Hard shoes and long pants are required for student's safety.

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).

Dates/Times

• Wednesday, October 16, 2024 – 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm

Instructor: Steve Gurzler

Member Tuition: $0.00
Non-Member Tuition: $0.00

Material Fee: $25.00 Included in fee shown

Location: AFS, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY

Special Notes: Participants who wish to try their hand in the forge are asked to pre-register and will be asked to provide a $25 materials fee. Observing the demonstration is free and open to the public. Hard shoes and long pants are required for student's safety.

In just 3 days you will learn to forge a tomahawk—one of the earliest multi-use tools—from Joe Szilaski, a Master Smith in 3 countries: the US, Hungary and Austria. This is an excellent introduction bladesmithing. You will have the chance to customize your own design and proudly walk away with a unique piece.

Dates/Times

• Friday, May 3, 2024 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
• Saturday, May 4, 2024 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
• Sunday, May 5, 2024 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Instructor: Joe Szilaski

Member Tuition: $390.00
Non-Member Tuition: $450.00

Material Fee: $75.00 Included in fee shown

Location: AFS, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY