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.

Dates/Times

• Friday, August 15, 2025 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
• Saturday, August 16, 2025 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
• Sunday, August 17, 2025 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
• Monday, August 18, 2025 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Instructor: Robert Menard

Member Tuition: $520.00
Non-Member Tuition: $620.00

Material Fee: $100.00 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 $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, April 16, 2025 – 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: 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, August 20, 2025 – 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: 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, July 16, 2025 – 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: 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, June 18, 2025 – 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: 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, May 21, 2025 – 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: 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, November 19, 2025 – 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: 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 15, 2025 – 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: 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, September 17, 2025 – 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: 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.

This course will cover the various methods of making a throwing axe including traditional and more modern methods. For those with some forging experience. Students will learn how to forge weld. Proper balance of axe head and haft will be stressed.

Dates/Times

• Friday, May 2, 2025 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
• Saturday, May 3, 2025 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
• Sunday, May 4, 2025 – 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 on checkout page

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

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

Knife throwing is becoming a popular sport. The student will make 3 throwing knives from mild steel with a hardened point. This will involve forging and grinding to shape a well-balanced throwing knife. Once completed, we will practice throwing your knives at a target.

Dates/Times

• Saturday, October 18, 2025 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Instructor: Arnie Barsky

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

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.

Students will make a triangular dinner bell, striker and mounting bracket. Skills involved will be managing a coal fire, drawing out, scrolling and punching the steel. You will leave with a keepsake ready to hang and use.

Dates/Times

• Saturday, September 20, 2025 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Instructor: Arnie Barsky

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

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.