Blacksmith Experience Day - Anvil Forge

Lee davey reviewed: Knife Making and Bladesmith Classes: Hand-Forged Viking Knife

"Such a great team and learning experience. Spencer passed on a lot of knowledge on blade smithing. Well structured day with time spent well. Knife making was very enjoyable. Just to say thank you to the team."

David Allen reviewed: Knife Making and Bladesmith Classes: Hand-Forged Viking Knife

"Wonderful day at Anvil Metalworks on the Bladesmith Class forging a poker and Viking knife to bring home. Learnt about the effects of heat on the different metals and the use of various blacksmith tools in shaping, hardening, polishing and sharpening. All the staff were willing to help and give advice but special thanks to Spencer our instructor for the day who was so informative, patient, and ready to give guidance and help when things didn’t go to plan; but most of all he made it an enjoyable and fun experience. "

Paul coombes reviewed: "Game of Thrones"...ish! : metalwork / blacksmithing workshop

"Had a great time and the guy at anvil forge were very helpful and made everyone at ease"

Andy Myers reviewed: Blacksmith Experience Day - Anvil Forge

"Great day, friendly bunch of people. I was mostly taught by Paul who was excellent. When I get some more space I now feel I can start blacksmithing solo."

Andrew Ryan reviewed: Knife Making and Bladesmith Classes: Hand-Forged Viking Knife

"Excellent day, was well looked after and produced a good result at the end. Was a bit apprehensive doing this by myself but the staff were very accommodating and provided individual support. Only real negative is parking is limited, so can be a tight fit for space. "

Alex Robinson reviewed: Knife Making and Bladesmith Classes: Hand-Forged Viking Knife

"I got this as a birthday present for my 14-year old as he plans on studying blacksmithing, and it was a great experience for him. There were only 3 of us, and the instructor took the time to explain what we were doing and why, also the rest of the people in the forge came over and helped out and answered questions. It left an excellent impression on my son and confirmed that blacksmithing is indeed the career path for him."

Mike Newport reviewed: Knife Making and Bladesmith Classes: Hand-Forged Viking Knife

"I had an amazing day at the Anvil today. All the guys were so helpful and knowledgeable. Spencer, Aidan, Dan and John are all obviously very skilled and take great pride in their work. It was a great pleasure to see them at their craft. Spencer was a fantastic instructor taken me through the techniques and processes of working with different types of steel. I then made a one piece blacksmith/Viking knife using the skills I was taught. I would recommend giving this a go, to work with fire and steel is truly satisfying and to produce a knife that I am proud to own and use is a joy. "

Christian reviewed: Knife Making and Bladesmith Classes: Hand-Forged Viking Knife

"I had such a great time in the course and came away with a Viking knife that I’m genuinely proud of. I particularly enjoyed working between the forge and hammering on the anvil. Spencer was a brilliant instructor, he gave us a lot of independence but was still accessible for opinions and guidance. He was quick to tell me what I was doing right and constructive when explaining an error. I absolutely recommend to anyone interested. "

Anvil Forge responded:

"Hi Christian thanks for your comments , I will pass on the review to Spencer. I know he enjoys working with you all and he told me at the end of the day that he enjoyed the session as well. What is also really good is the feedback that we are doing it right for you guys ( trainees) and achieving the right mix of giving you the freedom but still keeping a close eye on you when needed . best wishes John"

Dorothea reviewed: Knife Making and Bladesmith Classes: Hand-Forged Viking Knife

"We had a really good time making knifes. Everybody was really friendly, the instructor was very patient and gave good instructions. Highly recommend the experience!"

John Mitchison reviewed: Blacksmith Experience Day - Anvil Forge

"My son Jay and I came for a blacksmithing course last Saturday 15th October). I just wanted to let you know we had a really great time. It was the first time in a forge for both of us and we were both looking forward to it. we were not disappointed, we both got the chance to make a knife and a poker, both of which will be used by us in the future. I wanted to say a special thank you to Spencer and Phil, they were fantastic! They were incredibly helpful, patient, knowledgeable and funny. They could explain things really clearly, they were able to judge all the different abilities of the group. Spencer could read my son Jay (13) really well and was able to offer him just the right level of support at the right time - a real skill for someone teaching mixed groups. Thanks again for a great day Best wishes John"

P & J Knights reviewed: Blacksmith Experience Day - Anvil Forge

"Great day at the forge with John and his team. Relaxed, informal and thoroughly enjoyable. We came home with a beautiful garden ornament which we will treasure as we made it together as a couple. Will definitely be back for another go. Thanks John"

David Hepburn reviewed: Blacksmith Experience Day - Anvil Forge

"5 stars all the way. Thanks to John, Aidan and Spencer. All great teachers who had the right balance of enthusiasm, skill, passion for their work. All of this came across in a very friendly and inclusive manner. I have no problem in recommending this day at Anvil Forge as I thoroughly enjoyed it through out. I came away with having made a poker, viking knife and managed to squeeze in a dragonfly in my day. I was amazed by how much knowledge all the guys had and the science behind knife making particularly was mind blowing. I now have so many projects I want to make and hope to get back to make a chef's knife and possibly a hunting knife in the not too distant future. Again thanks to all of you at Anvil Forge, I left with a great sense of pride in what you guys helped me achieve. 5+++ stars "

John Laws reviewed: Blacksmith Experience Day - Anvil Forge

"Absolutely brilliant. Going into the forge is entering another world and the skill that the people working there exhibit is fantastic. For a day we felt the heat, struck the metal, smelt the furnace and generated memories."

Anthony Hollick reviewed: Blacksmith Experience Day - Anvil Forge

"Had a great day made to feel very welcome & instruction was very good."

Richard S reviewed: Blacksmith Experience Day - Anvil Forge

"Very well organised, experienced group of people. Safety/health a main concern. Considerate and attentive team who are also well informed about materials science and metallurgy."

Sarah reviewed: Blacksmith Experience Day - Anvil Forge

"A really enjoyable day. I did not have high expectations of what I, as an absolute novice, could achieve in a day and was beyond delighted with the garden sculpture and poker I took home. The tutors were fantastic and really encouraging. They had the balance spot on for letting you have a go at every technique and then rescuing the mistakes to prevent disaster. Cannot recommend this course more highly."

Anvil Forge responded:

"Hi Sarah Thanks for the review , we aim to offer the best possible experience on all our classes and make sure everyone ends up with a handmake piece of metalwork they are proud of. best wishes John"