Blacksmith Program 2025

 ABC of Tong Making – 08/03/2025 (Four in Class)

The ABC of Tong Making encompasses a skill set and many techniques all Metalworking enthusiasts need. This class will provide you with the skills and knowledge to create this integral tool in your shop and allow you to build on your tong collection. We work through each step of the process and a full understanding of tong-making will be explained. A strong emphasis on fire maintenance and safety will also be discussed throughout the day.

Basic Hardening and Tempering – 22/03/2025 (Four in Class)

This class is excellent for those looking for an introduction to the Hardening and Tempering process. We will be forging three sections of 16mm round bar into your choice of chisels (K245) and hot punches (W302). Hardening and tempering (Class One) and testing will be performed on each forged piece before taking the items home. A strong emphasis on fire maintenance and safety will also be discussed throughout the day.

Decorative Iron, previously known as Wrought Iron Work. 12/04/2025 (Four in Class) – must be 16 years or older

The focus of this class is the forging of a variety of scrolls commonly used in traditional         decorative iron. We will be looking at a range of scrolls from the basic Ribbon end scroll, Snub end scrolls to a little more involved Halfpenny Snub end and the Bevelled scroll. A strong emphasis on fire maintenance and safety will also be discussed throughout the day.

Hand Forging Techniques – 24/05/2025 (Four in Class)

Some of the basic Hand-Forging techniques will be performed in this class. They will consist of drawing out, forming eyes on the horn of the Anvil, bending, upsetting, spreading, punching, and drifting. The purpose of this class is to present an overall feel of what makes up the Blacksmith skill set. A strong emphasis on fire maintenance and safety will also be discussed throughout the day.

Fire Tools for the Forge – 21/06/2025 (Four in Class)

The set of Fire Tools we will be making, encompasses many skills such as drawing out, forming eyes on the horn of the anvil, twisting, old hand crank drilling, riveting, striking, assembly, finishing, and much more. This class captures many skills, and the fire tools set, are integral in all Metalworking shops. A strong emphasis on fire maintenance and safety will also be discussed throughout the day. Also Striking Techniques will be used efficiently and safely, I’m passionate about the restoration of this lost skill.

ABC of Tong Making – 26/07/2025 (Four in Class)

The ABC of Tong Making encompasses a skill set and many techniques all Metalworking enthusiasts need. This class will provide you with the skills and knowledge to create this integral tool in your shop and allow you to build on your tong collection. We work through each step of the process and a full understanding of tong-making will be explained. A strong emphasis on fire maintenance and safety will also be discussed throughout the day.

Striking: The Lost Language – 16/08/2025 (Four in Class)

This class will take us back to the past, a forgotten past, when communication in the Blacksmith shop was solely done by the ring of the anvil, via the Hand Hammer and subtle gestures by the Blacksmith. These gestures were often missed by the untrained eye and indicated what the Blacksmith needed from his or her Striker. It was the Industrial Revolution that choked out these gestures which had evolved over centuries between the Blacksmith and the Striker.

This language was the creation of generations of Blacksmiths that knew yelling, “hit it”, “go”, “again” “softer”, and “change Hammer,” was no way to move through a day’s work swiftly and effectively. In the past, the journeymen had no time to study the local language, but knew they had to learn the language that was, in many cases, used for generations in each country.

We will together work as the Blacksmith and the Striker did centuries ago and revisit a part of man’s evolutionary apprenticeship using hot metal, forge, and the lost language. A strong emphasis on fire maintenance and safety will be discussed throughout the day. 

Basic Power Hammer – 25kg Striker Power Hammer – 13/09/2025 (Two in Class)

Safety and technique will be the focus of this class. Power Hammer awareness and Safe Operation Procedure (SOP), along with correct operational techniques, are integral aspects when working with a Power Hammer. Individuals will acquire a better understanding of the actions of a Power Hammer after this class.

Fire Tools for the Forge – 27/09/2025 (Four in Class)

The set of Fire Tools we will be making, encompasses many skills such as drawing out, forming eyes on the horn of the anvil, twisting, old hand crank drilling, riveting, striking, assembly, finishing, and much more. This class captures many skills, and the fire tools set, are integral in all Metalworking shops. A strong emphasis on fire maintenance and safety will also be discussed throughout the day. Also Striking Techniques will be used efficiently and safely, I’m passionate about the restoration of this lost skill.

ABC of Tong Making – 18/10/2025 (Four in Class)

The ABC of Tong Making encompasses a skill set and many techniques all Metalworking enthusiasts need. This class will provide you with the skills and knowledge to create this integral tool in your shop and allow you to build on your tong collection. We work through each step of the process and a full understanding of tong-making will be explained. A strong emphasis on fire maintenance and safety will also be discussed throughout the day.

Basic Hardening and Tempering – 08/11/2025 (Four in Class)

This class is excellent for those looking for an introduction to the Hardening and Tempering process. We will be forging three sections of 16mm round bar into your choice of chisels (K245) and hot punches (W302). Hardening and tempering (Class One) and testing will be performed on each forged piece before taking the items home. A strong emphasis on fire maintenance and safety will also be discussed throughout the day.

Hand Forging Techniques – 29/11/2025 (Four in Class)

Some of the basic Hand-Forging techniques will be performed in this class. They will consist of drawing out, forming eyes on the horn of the Anvil, bending, upsetting, spreading, punching, and drifting. The purpose of this class is to present an overall feel of what makes up the Blacksmith skill set. A strong emphasis on fire maintenance and safety will also be discussed throughout the day.