Introduction To Blacksmithing: Session D
Come learn the basics of forging steel in the GAC blacksmith forge. Geared towards the absolute beginner, this workshop is designed to be educational and enjoyable for everyone. Learn techniques to build confidence in the forge under the guidance of experienced instructors. Students will shape and forge hot steel using a hammer and an anvil to complete a variety of projects.
Students will need safety glasses, dust mask or respirator, leather work gloves, (welding gauntlets not needed) and should wear jeans, a non-flammable cotton shirt and/or jacket, and closed-toed boots or leather shoes. Our forge is an outdoor building that is only semi-enclosed; please dress accordingly
Students will need safety glasses, dust
mask or respirator, leather work gloves,
(welding gauntlets not needed) and should
wear jeans, a non-flammable cotton shirt
and/or jacket, and closed-toed boots or
leather shoes. Our forge is an outdoor
building that is only semi-enclosed; please
dress accordingly.
For full-day workshops, please bring a
lunch to be on the safe side, as there may
or may not be time to get food during a
lunch break.
Knife Sharpening Workshop: Session B
Learn the essentials of knife sharpening using stones and honing tools to achieve a clean, precise edge. Perfect for beginners or anyone who wants to maintain their kitchen or workshop knives with confidence.
Students will need safety glasses, dust mask or respirator, leather work gloves, (welding gauntlets not needed) and should wear jeans, a non-flammable cotton shirt and/or jacket, and closed-toed boots or leather shoes. Our forge is an outdoor building that is only semi-enclosed; please dress accordingly.
For full-day workshops, please bring a lunch to be on the safe side, as there may or may not be time to get food during a lunch break.
Intro To The Hand Forged Blade Workshop: Session B
This workshop will cover the basics of forging, grinding, heat treating, and sharpening of a small utility knife. The instructor will discuss fit and finish, overall knife design, how to sharpen and care for knives, and how to begin making knives on your own. Students should expect to forge several blades over the weekend, and get at least one to the point of a usable knife.
Students will need safety glasses, dust mask or respirator, leather work gloves, (welding gauntlets not needed) and should wear jeans, a non-flammable cotton shirt and/or jacket, and closed-toed boots or leather shoes. Our forge is an outdoor building that is only semi-enclosed; please dress accordingly.
For full-day workshops, please bring a lunch to be on the safe side, as there may or may not be time to get food during a lunch break.
Introduction To Blacksmithing/Open Forge: Session C
Come learn the basics of forging steel in the GAC blacksmith forge, or continue previous projects. Geared towards the absolute beginner, this workshop is designed to be educational and enjoyable for everyone. Learn techniques to build confidence in the forge under the guidance of experienced instructors. Students will shape and forge hot steel using a hammer and an anvil to complete a variety of projects.Students will need safety glasses, dust mask or respirator, leather work gloves, (welding gauntlets not needed) and should wear jeans, a non-flammable cotton shirt and/or jacket, and closed-toed boots or leather shoes. Our forge is an outdoor building that is only semi-enclosed; please dress accordingly.For full-day workshops, please bring a lunch to be on the safe side, as there may or may not be time to get food during a lunch break.
Forging a Tomahawk Workshop: Session B
Chop chop! Students will forge a tomahawk from start to finish, using the traditional slit and drift method to form the head and create the eye. The instructor will also demonstrate the wrap and weld technique and explain how and when the different approaches are used. Hands on blacksmithing topics include shaping the head, drifting and sizing the eye, fitting and finishing a handle, grinding and polishing the bit, heat treating for strength, and final sharpening—so you’ll learn both technique and the why behind each step.
Students will need safety glasses, dust mask or respirator, leather work gloves, (welding gauntlets not needed) and should wear jeans, a non-flammable cotton shirt and/or jacket, and closed-toed boots or leather shoes. Our forge is an outdoor building that is only semi-enclosed; please dress accordingly.
For full-day workshops, please bring a lunch to be on the safe side, as there may or may not be time to get food during a lunch break.
Pirate Cutlass Sword Workshop
The cutlass sword is equal parts elegant and formidable – it’s a classic maritime blade with a curved-single-edge design. This 5 day intensive sword class will cover blade design, forging, grinding, and heat treating a cutlass style sword blade. Students will then then forge and fit a steel guard and mount a wood handle. You will learn everything required to complete your very own fully functional sword.
Students will need safety glasses, dust mask or respirator, leather work gloves, (welding gauntlets not needed) and should wear jeans, a non-flammable cotton shirt and/or jacket, and closed-toed boots or leather shoes. Our forge is an outdoor building that is only semi-enclosed; please dress accordingly. For full-day workshops, please bring a lunch to be on the safe side, as there may or may not be time to get food during a lunch break.
Get a Grip: Forging Tongs Workshop
Students will learn the basic techniques of forging blacksmiths’ tongs. Learn the basic process and explore different jaw styles that will enable you to hold multiple projects and stock configurations: flat, round, square and irregular pieces. We will concentrate on the forging of smaller tongs and students can expect to bring home 2 or 3 pairs.
Students will need safety glasses, dust mask or respirator, leather work gloves, (welding gauntlets not needed) and should wear jeans, a non-flammable cotton shirt and/or jacket, and closed-toed boots or leather shoes. Our forge is an outdoor building that is only semi-enclosed; please dress accordingly.
For full-day workshops, please bring a lunch to be on the safe side, as there may or may not be time to get food during a lunch break.
Hand Forged Kitchen Knife Workshop
Students will craft a hand-forged steel kitchen knife, complete with a custom wooden handle. Learn essential blacksmithing skills including forging the blade to shape, precise grinding to refine the edge, and expert sharpening techniques to achieve a razor-sharp finish. The class also covers handle design and fitting, heat treating for durability, and finishing techniques to create a knife that is both functional and beautiful. Walk away with a one-of-a-kind kitchen knife you made yourself and the skills to forge more in the future.
Students will need safety glasses, dust mask or respirator, leather work gloves, (welding gauntlets not needed) and should wear jeans, a non-flammable cotton shirt and/or jacket, and closed-toed boots or leather shoes. Our forge is an outdoor building that is only semi-enclosed; please dress accordingly.
For full-day workshops, please bring a lunch to be on the safe side, as there may or may not be time to get food during a lunch break.
Intro To The Hand Forged Blade Workshop: Session A
This workshop will cover the basics of forging, grinding, heat treating, and sharpening of a small utility knife. The instructor will discuss fit and finish, overall knife design, how to sharpen and care for knives, and how to begin making knives on your own. Students should expect to forge several blades over the weekend, and get at least one to the point of a usable knife.
Students will need safety glasses, dust mask or respirator, leather work gloves, (welding gauntlets not needed) and should wear jeans, a non-flammable cotton shirt and/or jacket, and closed-toed boots or leather shoes. Our forge is an outdoor building that is only semi-enclosed; please dress accordingly.
For full-day workshops, please bring a lunch to be on the safe side, as there may or may not be time to get food during a lunch break.
STOP – Hammer Time! Forging a Hammer Workshop
In this class, students will complete a standard 2-3 pound forging hammer for use in general blacksmithing. We will use the punch and drift method if tool making, and will gain experience using our hydraulic press machine.
There will be 3 styles to choose from: Japanese, Swedish, and German.
These will be fitted with a hickory handle and be ready for use by the end of the course.
Students will need safety glasses, dust mask or respirator, leather work gloves, (welding gauntlets not needed) and should wear jeans, a non-flammable cotton shirt and/or jacket, and closed-toed boots or leather shoes. Our forge is an outdoor building that is only semi-enclosed; please dress accordingly.
For full-day workshops, please bring a lunch to be on the safe side, as there may or may not be time to get food during a lunch break.