Blacksmithing

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

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

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

Special Notes: 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

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

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

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

Students will forge an Ulu Knife from high carbon steel including heat treating and grinding. The Ulu is a knife used throughout Canada and Alaska typically used by indigenous people for food preparation, such as cutting fish, meat and vegetables. Originally used to clean animal skins, today the best chefs use it to chop, mince and dice.

Dates/Times

• Saturday, July 12, 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

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

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

The student will hand forge a small Viking Knife, also called a blacksmith knife. The knife is a one piece, all metal design with an integral handle. The blade will be heat treated, ground and sharpened in class. This one-day class will cover the basic theory and practice of knife making and is a good introduction for the beginner.

Dates/Times

• Saturday, March 22, 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

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

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