Blacksmithing

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).

Dates/Times

• Wednesday, July 15, 2026 – 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 on checkout page

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 $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).

Dates/Times

• Wednesday, June 17, 2026 – 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 on checkout page

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 $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).

Dates/Times

• Wednesday, March 18, 2026 – 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 on checkout page

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 $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).

Dates/Times

• Wednesday, May 20, 2026 – 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 on checkout page

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 $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).

Dates/Times

• Wednesday, November 18, 2026 – 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 on checkout page

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 $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).

Dates/Times

• Wednesday, October 21, 2026 – 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 on checkout page

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 $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).

Dates/Times

• Wednesday, September 16, 2026 – 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 on checkout page

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

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

In this hands-on class, students will craft a 12" dual-handled pizza knife designed for precision and durability. Students will start by firing up their coal forge, and then shape their blade from a single piece of mild steel. Once forged, the blade will be hardened using a super quench process to ensure lasting strength. Students will grind their knives to a razor-sharp edge, ideal for slicing pizza with a smooth rocking motion. Inspired by the traditional Eskimo Ulu knife, this versatile tool also lends itself to tasks such as fleshing animal hides, making it both functional and historically rooted.

Dates/Times

• Sunday, May 17, 2026 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Instructor: Arnie Barsky

Member Tuition: $135.00
Non-Member Tuition: $155.00

Material Fee: $25.00 Included in fee shown on checkout page

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

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

In this class you'll learn to forge a knife featuring a sheepsfoot blade with a paracord wrapped handle, crafted from mild steel and hardened using super quench. The sheepsfoot blade, known for its straight edge and rounded tip, is ideal for clean controlled cuts without the risk of accidental punctures- perfect for slicing rope or working on confined spaces. You'll also forge a marlin spike; a pointed metal tool designed to separate rope strands and untie stubborn knots. It's an essential tool for sailors and anyone who works with lines, and it's especially useful when splicing multi-stranded ropes. To complete the set, we'll make a belt sheath from vegetable-tanned cowhide, custom-fitted to hold both tools securely. This practical combo is a must-have for nautical enthusiasts and outdoorsmen alike.

Dates/Times

• Saturday, June 27, 2026 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
• Sunday, June 28, 2026 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Instructor: Arnie Barsky

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

Material Fee: $50.00 Included in fee shown on checkout page

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

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

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.

Dates/Times

• Saturday, September 19, 2026 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Instructor: Arnie Barsky

Member Tuition: $135.00
Non-Member Tuition: $155.00

Material Fee: $25.00 Included in fee shown on checkout page

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

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

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.

Dates/Times

• Saturday, September 26, 2026 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
• Sunday, September 27, 2026 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Instructor: Steve Gurzler

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

Material Fee: $50.00 Included in fee shown on checkout page

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

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