Frontier Knife & Hatchet Workshop
In this 5 day intensive workshop, students will make a frontier style knife with a wood handle. Next steps are to hot punch a hole through 1/4" round stock to forge a hatchet that will then be fit with a hickory handle. Students must be able to swing a sledge hammer.
Students will need safety glasses, 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
In this 3 day class students will create a hand forged high carbon steel kitchen knife with a wooden handle. Forging, grinding, and sharpening skills will be covered. 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: Session B
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
ABANA Certification Level 1: Part 2
If you are interested in improving your forging skills in a more formal way, the Artist-Blacksmith’s Association of North America (ABANA) has developed a 3-level certification curriculum. This curriculum was created to develop the fundamental skills and techniques in blacksmithing using a series of projects culminating in a final project at each level showcasing the student's acquired skillsets. The level one certification covers the most fundamental skills based on 16 separate elements. This second part class will focus on the more advanced skills in the level one certification with a heavy focus on the final project. Upon completion of the project and satisfactorily meeting all the requirements, students will be able to earn their level one certification. Basic skills covered are forging to specific shapes and sizes, toolmaking and heat treatment, forge welding, and final project assembly. Greg AmEnde is a Level One certified instructor for The Artist-Blacksmith’s Association of North America. 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.
ABANA Certification Level 1: Part 1
If you are interested in improving your forging skills in a more formal way, the Artist-Blacksmith’s Association of North America (ABANA) has developed a 3-level certification curriculum. This curriculum was created to develop the fundamental skills and techniques in blacksmithing using a series of projects which culminate to a final project at each level showcasing the student’s acquired skillsets.The Level One certification covers the most fundamental skills based on 16 separate elements. This class will focus on the beginning skills of the Level One projects, allowing the students to continue the curriculum on their own time and speed. Further information regarding the ABANA curriculum and list of projects is available on their website. Basic skills covered are safety, tool nomenclature and proper use, hammer control, tapers, forging to specific shapes and sizes, introduction to toolmaking and heat treatment. Greg AmEnde is a Level One certified instructor for. The Artist-Blacksmith’s Association of North America.
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.
Wizard Head Bottle Openers Workshop
In this fun and challenging one-day workshop, students will hand-forge bottle openers from ½” square mild steel, practicing core blacksmithing skills along the way. Ideal for those who have completed an Intro to Blacksmithing or Blacksmithing course, this project reinforces techniques like drawing down, punching, chiseling, scrolling, and finishing – all while allowing room for personal creative flair.
Teen Blacksmithing: Session B
This class will teach teen students basic forging techniques. Students will learn how to build and maintain a coal fire, and use the new skills to make several small projects such as hooks, fire pokers, and hand forged jewelry. Students will need safety glasses, 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.
Teen Blacksmithing: Session C
This class will teach teen students basic forging techniques. Students will learn how to build and maintain a coal fire, and use the new skills to make several small projects such as hooks, fire pokers, and hand forged jewelry. Students will need safety glasses, 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. Please note: NO class on 3/17
Teen Blacksmithing: Session A
This class will teach teen students basic forging techniques. Students will learn how to build and maintain a coal fire, and use the new skills to make several small projects such as hooks, fire pokers, and hand forged jewelry. Students will need safety glasses, 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.
The War Hammer Workshop
Students will forge their own war hammer, a historic weapon designed with a heavy striking face on one side and a pointed spike on the other. Learn to hot-punch holes in 1¼” round bar, split and shape the hammer’s face, and forge the spike on the back end. Instruction includes fitting and finishing a hickory handle, heat treating the head for strength, and grinding and sharpening for a functional tool. The workshop concludes with hands-on testing, striking a steel drum to experience the balance and impact of your creation.
