Adirondack Folk School

All good blacksmiths need to be able to make tools that enable them to make beautiful pieces. This fun class is an opportunity for smiths to make these essential tools and more importantly, to learn toolmaking so you may make even more tools at your shop whenever you need them. You will make various sizes of punches and drifts, as well as chisels, and we will delve into set hammers, cut-off chisels, and bottom tooling depending on interests and time available. You will also learn how to anneal; heat treat and temper all of your new tools.

Would you like to try blacksmithing, and get a taste of the craft? Join instructor Steve Gurzler for 3 weekday evenings to learn how to operate a coal forge to bring metal to incandescent heat and shape it with hammer in hand. This class will use the Artist Blacksmiths Association of North America (ABANA) curriculum to teach the basics of blacksmithing. Students can expect to create 2 or more projects during the 3 evenings. Class size is limited to ensure all can advance at their own pace.

Experience the journey of learning blacksmithing basics. Discover how to build and manage a coal fire and how to use that heat to create several useful and decorative basic items, all while learning and practicing seven of the basic blacksmithing processes. Students of all levels of strength and experience welcome.

Experience the journey of learning blacksmithing basics. Discover how to build and manage a coal fire and how to use that heat to create several useful and decorative basic items, all while learning and practicing seven of the basic blacksmithing processes. Students of all levels of strength and experience welcome.

Experience the journey of learning blacksmithing basics. Discover how to build and manage a coal fire and how to use that heat to create several useful and decorative basic items, all while learning and practicing seven of the basic blacksmithing processes. Students of all levels of strength and experience welcome.

Arrowhead latches are some of the earliest forms of forged latches in America and they come in many variations. In this class we will forge, punch, and chisel out the parts for a fairly standard arrowhead latch that can then be customized with decorative file work. A good class for the beginner and intermediate smith.

Arrowhead latches are some of the earliest forms of forged latches in America and they come in many variations. In this class we will forge, punch, and chisel out the parts for a fairly standard arrowhead latch that can then be customized with decorative file work. A good class for the beginner and intermediate smith.