Blacksmithing
*The event has already taken place on this date: Sat, 05/11/2024
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Our ever-popular blacksmithing workshops are back! Join instructor Jonathan Bernard to learn the heritage craft of blacksmithing in small-group, hands-on training sessions at Cumming Nature Center.
Classes for all skill levels will be offered in April and May, ranging from Intro to Blacksmithing to Advanced Blacksmithing. New in 2024, we’re offering two new Intermediate classes this year: Letter Opener and Utensil Set.
Each class participant will go home with an object they created during the class to enjoy for years to come. See the full schedule below!
INTRO TO BLACKSMITHING | $65
Saturday, April 20 | 8:00am
Saturday, May 4 | 8:00am
Learn the fundamentals of blacksmithing in our small-group, hands-on training session. Topics will include learning how to heat with a coal-fired forge and techniques for safe hammer usage. The student will have the choice of creating either a wall hook or bottle opener. This is a 2-hour class. All tools and materials are included with registration.
Students are recommended to bring their own safety glasses and wear a long sleeve shirt and jeans for protection. Other safety gear will be available if needed.
BASIC BLACKSMITHING: FIRE POKER | $65
Saturday, April 20 | 10:00am
Saturday, May 11 | 8:00am
Beginner blacksmithing is a 2-hour class that builds on the intro course, and introduces students to the challenge of working with thicker metals. Students create a fireplace poker with decorative twists and tapered handle. Students are required to have either taken the introduction class or have prior experience blacksmithing. All tools and materials are included with registration.
Students are recommended to bring their own safety glasses and wear a long sleeve shirt and jeans for protection. Other safety gear will be available if needed.
INTERMEDIATE BLACKSMITHING: LETTER OPENER | $80
Saturday, May 4 | 10am
Saturday, May 11 | 10am
Intermediate Blacksmithing: Letter Opener is a 3-hour class that introduces the student to heat management skills when working with dissimilar sizes of metal on the same piece. The focus of the class will be on how to draw out an open handle style of knife known as a Blacksmith blade. This class will establish a basic understanding of forming the point and bevel on a blade. Students are required to have either taken the introduction/basic class or have prior experience blacksmithing. All tools and materials are included with registration.
Students are recommended to bring their own safety glasses and wear a long sleeve shirt and jeans for protection. Other safety gear will be available if needed.
INTERMEDIATE BLACKSMITHING: UTENSIL SET | $90
Saturday, April 20 | 1pm
Intermediate Blacksmithing: Utensil Set, is a four-hour class that introduces the student to heat management skills when working with dissimilar sizes of metal on the same piece. The focus of the class will be on how to draw and shape out a fork and knife set. Students are required to have either taken the introduction/basic class or have prior experience blacksmithing. All tools and materials are included with registration.
Students are recommended to bring their own safety glasses and wear a long sleeve shirt and jeans for protection. Other safety gear will be available if needed.
ADVANCED BLACKSMITHING: RAILROAD SPIKE KNIFE | $80
Saturday, May 4 | 2pm
Saturday, May 11 | 2pm
Advanced blacksmithing introduces the student to the art of knife making using a railroad spike to create the wider form of a skinning blade. Topics will include the use of the cross peen fuller to draw out the width of the blade as well as quench or case hardening to form a simple working edge. This 2.5 hour class will test the endurance of a student who has either taken the intermediate class or has prior experience in bladesmithing. All tools and materials are included with registration.
Students are recommended to bring their own safety glasses and wear a long sleeve shirt and jeans for protection. Other safety gear will be available if needed.
*Times, dates, and prices of any activity posted to our calendars are subject to change. Please be sure to click through directly to the organization’s website to verify.