Description
In this class, you will learn how to make either a hatchet or a hammer. You will learn how to punch holes in high carbon steel, drift the holes to shape an eye, spread the material around the eye to form decorative lugs, fuller bar to shape, forge steel to shape, harden, temper and polish steel, and carve the kerf to fit a handle to your axe/hammer/other tool! You will forge all morning, then after a brief lunch break learn how to grind tools to their final shape using both larger workshop equipment and portable equipment. We then cover the heat treatment of tool heats before polishing, and end the day fitting a handle to your work. If you have a specific type of axe or hammer that you would like to make, please get in touch ahead of time to discuss designs. We start with a billet of steel that weighs a little over 2lbs. How much material is lost through the forging differs greatly from person to person and depends a lot on your experience, but tools will come out around, if not over, 1.5lb in weight. If you would like to make a lighter tool, we keep smaller billets in stock too. If you would like to make a heavier tool, please contact us before booking to discuss. Please be aware that blacksmithing is a physical craft and you must be aware that there is a physical threshold to attend. This course is not suitable if you have any of the following: -Severe heart conditions. -Severe respiratory conditions. -Musculoskeletal disorders. -Pregnancy. -Blindness. -Allergies to metal. -Neurological conditions that affect your balance and coordination (e.g. Parkinsons). -Epilepsy. If you would like to participate in blacksmithing and aren't sure if your condition may prevent you, please get in touch with us to discuss it. We will make what accommodations we are able to to help you achieve your blacksmithing goals! Furthermore, all participants must not be under the influence of alcohol or narcotics, and be well enough to participate. You can learn more about our attendance policy in the FAQs!
What's included in the price?
A full day of blacksmithing, forging your tool and learning about the history of blacksmithing. We have lots of tea, coffee, squash and biscuits for all. Each participant will need to bring a packed lunch and must wear sturdy footwear and sensible clothing. We always recommend long sleeves for maximum coverage and steel toe cap boots. In winter courses you will want to wear lots of layers, and for summer courses still strive for long sleeves. Sparks can jump and tank-tops don't provide much in terms of spark deflection! You can learn more about what clothing to wear and what to avoid in our FAQs!
Duration
1 day
Cancellation policy
Medium - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 4 weeks before the course starts
Maker
Hammer and Hound Forge is a traditional blacksmith's workshop in Blyth, Northumberland, Uk owned by award winning blacksmith Alex Sowden, who you might have seen before on Sky Arts' "The Prince's Master Crafters", or BBC1's "Make It At Market". We offer a variety of experiences in metalwork for all skill levels, including tuition in welding and fabrication, forging damascus steel, jewellery techniques and much more! We produce kits of hand forged woodworking supplies, as well as tools for other crafts, though our stock is often forged on commission. We also take on larger work, such as forging gates and railings, overthrows, staircases and all variety of ironwork. If you have any questions for us, please get in touch!
Suitable for
- Adults
- Seniors
- Teenagers
- Mother's Day
- Parking provided
- Fairs, festivals & exhibitions
- School holiday workshops & activities
- Overseas Holiday
- Engagement, birthdays & anniversaries
- Romantic
- Suitable for beginners
- Advanced/pro level
- Christmas
- Stag dos
- Easter
- Intermediate level
- Father's Day
- Hen dos
- Spooky
- UK Holiday
- Corporate days out & team building
FAQs
The policies of the forge:
1 All participants agree to comply with clothing and footware requirements.
2 All participants agree to make reasonable adjustments to their outfit to ensure they and those around them are safe.
3 Participants must be well enough to participate. Participants that are under the influence of alcohol, narcotics or are deemed too unwell to take part in the course will be escorted from the premises. No refund will be provided for participants unfit to participate.
4 Participants agree to follow instructions as given, and to treat the equipment with due care.
5 Participants must not use equipment without being inducted on safe workshop operations.
6 Participants booked onto public courses through craftcourses are subject to the cancellation policies advertised on the listing. Postponements are made at Hammer and Hound Forge’s Discretion. As standard, we require 4 weeks notice, though in some circumstances alternate arrangements may be made. Please contact us to discuss what arrangements are possible in a given timeframe.
7 Hammer and Hound Forge reserves the rights to : remove attendees from the course if they are not acting in accordance with any of the policies above. no refunds will be provided to participants removed during a course.
8 Hammer and Hound Forge will hold participants liable for damages caused to equipment due to negligence or recklessness.
9 hammer and Hound Forge reserves the right to postpone courses as necessary.
All of our courses are beginner accessible.
However, if you are looking for an experience in forging, or are looking to dip your toes into blacksmithing, then we recommend you take our Beginner's Blacksmithing day, or Beginners Bladesmithing. These days are set to take you through the basic steps of forging at an easily digestible pace.
Axe, hammer and tool forging days are a little bit more 'product focussed', there is more metal to forge so we will make use of power tools more. For people with less forging experience we have some recipe projects you can follow that make good tools and aren't massively complex.
Damascus steel is our most complex class- plenty of beginners have joined and had an excellent time, but it is a little faster paced. We focus mostly on the folding of the steel to create the pattern, then the polishing and etching of the steel, as this is the essence of the class. it is recommended to have taken a beginners class or two beforehand as this will help you get more out of this course.
At Hammer and Hound Forge we try to cater to all needs.
Please send us an email to hammerandhoundforge@gmail.com before booking in to discuss what needs you have and how we can best accommodate them.
Currently, our blacksmithing classes are not wheelchair friendly. this is something we are working on changing.
However, our Repoussé classes, silversmithing and modern knifemaking classes are wheelchair friendly. Please get in touch to discuss the availability of these courses, as they are listed in the summer usually.
our minimum age for participation is 11 years old.
Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.
Parents and guardians don't have to take part but must wear workshop-sensible clothing and footwear just the same. You can learn more about this in out FAQ: "What Should I Wear?"
All of our courses are open to beginners to join.
We do recommend that beginners start forging with our beginners day classes.
This covers the basics of working at an anvil, and the essential techniques in forging.
We have found that people with a bit of history with a forge will get more out of more product oriented courses like axe forging or Damascus steel making.
Having forging experience isn't a hard requirement for our courses, but you will get more out of the more advanced classes if you have a bit of prior experience to build on.
Forging is immense fun, and very satisfying, but does involve lots of sparks and fire.
To this end, you will want to wear "workshop chic". You will need sturdy footwear. steel toe cap boots are ideal, decent boots such as walking boots are also acceptable.
Trainers, sandals, high heels and flip flops are not acceptable. Participants that insist on wearing footwear deemed unacceptable will not be allowed to participate.
Clothing wants to be natural fibres, jeans and cotton T shirts/jumpers are brilliant. Frayed cloth/tassels are not to be worn, they can get caught in machinery. The biggest thing to avoid are fully plastic clothing EG: tracksuit wear, or Superdry coats. Plastic melts and will cause nasty burns.
-Low cut tops are to be avoided as they don't provide good protection from sparks.
Long hair or long beards will need to be tied back or tucked out the way.
Long sleeves are strongly recommended.
During winter, please bring lots of layers! Better to get warm and take a jumper off! Thermal underlayers are excellent, as is bringing a spare jumper. You will warm up while you are forging, but if we have to do any grinding or handle carving you may find things get a bit chilly.
Hammer and Hound Forge reserves the right to withdraw service to participants that are not dressed in safe, sensible attire. Please ensure you are wearing sensible clothing!
You will need to bring a packed lunch, and sensible footwear.
There is a McDonalds and Greggs 2 minutes walk away, an Asda, Aldi, Lidl and KFC within 5 minutes drive should you wish to nip out or order food in.
We have lots of tea, Coffee, Squash and biscuits for all participants to enjoy.
You are welcome to bring your own PPE, such as gloves, eye protection, ear protection and overalls if you prefer using your own.
Likewise, you are welcome to bring your own tools such as hammers, tongs etc, but we will need to check them over to make sure they are safe to use.
