Anvil Forge reviews

Alan Monk reviewed: Knife Making and Bladesmith Classes: Hand-Forged Viking Knife

"Fantastic day with John and his team at the forge - The day starts with a H&S briefing, then it's onto learning/re-learning some basics by making a simple poker, then it's onto the Viking-style hand-knife, using a combination of forgework to get the blade area thinned down , then shaping and bending of the handle, followed by the grinding and filling of the cutting edge. The class size is small 5-7 and sensibly-paced, so John and his guys can spend quality time with each student and ensure everyone goes away happy with a functioning knife (and poker!). A hearty pub lunch is included (plenty of options) and the tea and coffee are on the go all day. I thoroughly recommend this course!"

Anvil Forge responded:

"Hi Alan thanks for review , I am pleased we get it right for everyone.you are welcome back anytime. best wishes John"

Neil reviewed: Blacksmith Experience Day - Anvil Forge

"What a great way to spend a day! The experts (John, Steve & Spencer) were enthusiastic, very knowledgeable and the ratio of one expert per two novices meant everyone benefitted from lots of hands-on tuition. The only (minor) negative was the lack of signage inside the farm complex."

Anvil Forge responded:

"Hi Neil thanks for the review, re signage a solution is in hand! hopefully see you again ( and checkout our new sign)"

Amanda Ellison reviewed: Dragon Making: 2 Day Course

"Dragon Making Weekend was an amazing experience with John and his team helping four of us each make unique dragons who can be made to breathe fire. John and his two colleagues made us feel at home and completely safe. The course was professionally run, starting by making a poker to get us used to working with metal. There was just the right balance of supportive tuition and expert guidance enabling all of us to master a range of techniques. As the dragons had captured our imaginations, the weekend was not quite long enough to assemble all the component parts so John and Spencer kindly gave up a couple of hours one afternoon to help me put ‘Matilda’ together. I now have the most amazing fire breathing dragon who is 80cm tall with a wingspan of 70cm. She holds pride of place in my garden. The course was excellent and I highly recommend it to everyone. Thank you so much."

Anvil Forge responded:

"Hi Amanda thanks for kind words , please send picture of matilda when she is home and comfortable! best wishes John"

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

"An amazing course for anyone interested in blacksmithing. John, Spencer and Steve are great teachers, and the course is run at a comfortable pace for any ability. You will learn a great deal about the art of blade making and gain first hand experience of many blacksmithing techniques, from shaping hot metal with a hammer and anvil through to hardening and honing your own blade that you can take home. The day is immensely good fun and I would definitely recommend it to anyone!"

Samuel Littley reviewed: Knife Making and Bladesmith Classes: Hand-Forged Viking Knife

"Had a fantastic (if a bit chilly) day with John, Spencer and Mark making a poker and a viking knife. Was excellent to get my hands dirty (beats sitting at a keyboard all day!). Great for total beginners; the team are so helpful."

Suzy Morgan reviewed: Blacksmith Experience Day - Anvil Forge

"This was a birthday present from my husband and it was a fantastic experience. First of all I made a poker, which is used most days, and then a garden sculpture of long bars which were twisted into various organic shapes. John and his colleague were very supportive and patient. We all gradually improved throughout the day and left with some great pieces of artwork. This is an addictive hobby and I’m booked onto another course!"

Alexandra (age 11) reviewed: Parent and child blacksmithing

"I did the Parent and Child blacksmithing day in January 2018. It was so much fun! The instructors at the forge were so lovely, and they really helped me and my dad to make something wonderful. When we went we had an idea of making a garden obelisk, with a few leaves, caterpillars, and maybe a large leaf on top to act as a bird bath/feeder. What we came out with surpassed all of our expectations. It had leaves, a butterfly, snails, a spider and web, a dragonfly, mushrooms, creepers, and the large leaf on top! We’re so pleased with it and it now takes pride of place in front of our kitchen window. It’s lovely as well because on the day-courses, there’s no need to worry about having to take a packed lunch. On the Parent and Child course, the forge provides a delicious picnic lunch, and on the adult courses you are taken down to the local pub. I should mention too, that in September/October last year I did a home-education course of three hours each Friday for five weeks, in which I made: a poker, a snail sitting on a leaf and stalk, a heart spoon, a chess set and more! All my experiences at the forge have been great fun and I’ve always felt welcome."

Luke Smith reviewed: Knife Making and Bladesmith Classes: Hand-Forged Viking Knife

"Had my one day knife making course yesterday (17/2/18) and had an amazing day. John Steve and Ollie were great and were so knowledgeable and happy to help. I have never done anything like this before and was happy to leave with a fire poker and my own man blade. Paced at a really good level and never felt rushed or things not going quick enough. I drove 2 hours from the midlands to do this course and would happily go again tomorrow! Great course would highly recommend"

kaylon burns reviewed: Knife Making and Bladesmith Classes: Hand-Forged Viking Knife

"I'm 14 years old I stared making things when I was 11 years old and I still do it now but I have been wishing to do it properly making knifes arrows I would say I'm good at blacksmithing but not an expert at it that's why I'm want to work as a blacksmith ."

Steve Osborne reviewed: Knife Making and Bladesmith Classes: Hand-Forged Viking Knife

"Fantastic day. The guys who run it are really enthusiastic and give you loads of advice and support. Really proud of my Knife and poker. Don't worry if, like me, you haven't done metal work since school and you're not that practical. It's a fascinating insight into an ancient craft and I guarantee you will be chuffed to bits with the day and the things you have made."

Phil martin reviewed: Blacksmith Experience Day - Anvil Forge

"I cannot recommend this day enough!! My fiancée bought this for me as a present and from the moment I stepped in the door, John and the guys made us all feel at home and ‘part of the team’. The course was professionally run and their wealth of experience and expert guidance ensured not only an impressive project completed in a little over an afternoon, but an informative and fun working environment."

Luke Maharry reviewed: Knife Making and Bladesmith Classes: Hand-Forged Viking Knife

"This was a really engaging course and i am so amazingly proud of my poker and knife. I really believe that this will be a blade that will last a lifetime and i made it! Steve, John and Spence were welcoming, really hands on throughout the day without doing it for me. I enjoyed every second and the day flew past. Would recommend to anyone."

Martin Forde reviewed: Blacksmith Experience Day - Anvil Forge

"A present to me from my daughters. My wife and two daughters had an excellent day with the team. Started by making a poker each then learning lots of new skills. I made a flower container out of old horse shoes, I believe a first for them. We took lots of goodies home after a very enjoyable day. Thanks to you all. Martin"

Jane Tarrant reviewed: Blacksmith Experience Day - Anvil Forge

"My husband and I received this day course as a wedding present. What a wedding present! John and his team made us feel welcome and ensured we knew how to keep safe in the forge. From there we instantly learned some skills and warmed up by the fires. A poker is an ideal starting point and we have proudly displayed ours. After learning the basics, we were able to design our piece. (A door knocker for us). Lunch at a local pub was a brilliant day break before setting off on our project. With 3 staff on hand we always had 1 person to help instruct us in manipulating the heated metal or using machines during fabrication. They welded for us and we finished and filed. The end result was brilliant but the journey making it was worth the extra money because now our new knocker has happy memories. I'd recommend this course to anyone who wants to learn a skill and spend a day of quality time together. Thank you Anvil Forge."

Geoffrey Styche reviewed: Blacksmith Experience Day - Anvil Forge

"I had a great day working with John and Olly at the workshop. I wish I'd had an idea of what I wanted to make before arriving but I still made a fantastic knife and even though it was work I thoroughly enjoyed my day, I will definitely be bookmarking this course and looking forward to another go. One point is the place isn't easy to find, look out for Unit 2 (right and right)."

Anvil Forge responded:

"Hi Geoff i totally agree, i am going to improve signage this coming week thanks for coming along and nice to hear your coming back John"

Barry York reviewed: Blacksmith Experience Day - Anvil Forge

"A really enjoyable course run by caring and responsible masters of their art. Supervision was close but not intrusive, whenever you needed help there was always someone there for you. Above all safety was strictly observed - I felt safe. One negative comment though, it was very difficult to find the Anvil Forge itself as there is no direction on the farm board nor on the attendance letter. John, please add "Unit 2" to the joining details - please!"

Simon Parry reviewed: Blacksmith Experience Day - Anvil Forge

"Great day - great people. I've read the previous comments - and I can't add more. Just book a course and treat yourself!"

Duncan Crawford reviewed: Blacksmith Experience Day - Anvil Forge

"What a fantastic day out this was! A chance to learn some real metal working skills while making something to take home. John (the boss) and his team were always on hand to help when needed, but also left you to it much of the time. Such a great day out. Pub food was great too! Thanks. 5* from me."

Lauren Quigley reviewed: Blacksmith Experience Day - Anvil Forge

"My Dad and I had an absolutely fantastic blacksmith experience day and we couldn't be prouder of what was accomplished with the help of John and his team. My dad made a beautiful mushroom and dragonfly ornament with my mum in mind and I managed to make a dragon clawed door knocker! Thank you so much for your patience and the opportunity to learn a little of your craft, we'll definitely be back for more courses in the future :)"

Carolyn Glanfield reviewed: Blacksmith Experience Day - Anvil Forge

"From the moment we arrived John made us feel very welcomed. I had some reservations as to whether I'd be physically or creatively capable, however, it soon became very apparent that these were ill-founded. John and the team were very organised, friendly and always ready to assist when required. I arranged this day as a surprise birthday present for my Son and it was lovely to see him so engrossed with the practicalities of blacksmithing and forgetting to check for incoming emails etc! We both learnt a lot and we were really chuffed with our individual projects which we will always have as a reminder of the day. FabUlous."

Emily Bunton reviewed: Blacksmith Experience Day - Anvil Forge

"I bought this experience as a gift for my other half for his birthday. He had an amazing day and he loved every second of it. It was fun and interesting. John and the others running the course were friendly, helpful, super skilled and all round incredible craftsmen. We're going back in December for another crack! Thanks for an amazing day - totally recommend it to anyone as something fun, interesting, rewarding and different to do!"

Matt Carter reviewed: Blacksmith Experience Day - Anvil Forge

"I attended the blacksmiths day at Anvil Forge today and loved it. 5 people in the group with 3 experts on hand every step of the way. Every one did very different projects and the gents from the forge were superb in helping make our dreams a reality. It's great value too as I made fireside tools that I am chuffed to bits with. I would definitely do this again!"

Ian Cochrane reviewed: Blacksmith Experience Day - Anvil Forge

"An absolutely fantastic day. Despite being a complete novice, with John and team’s help, I managed to create a functional and decorative piece (beer holder!). The fact you get down quickly to bashing and moving metal and can experiment to your heart’s content means this is a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Will definitely do this again."

Jeff Bowsher reviewed: Blacksmith Experience Day - Anvil Forge

"What a fantastic day , John and Spencer are very welcoming and soooo full of knowledge and skill. The Viking knives all looked really different and all awesome and some made garden ornaments ( dragon flies ) which looked superb , seriously considering going back with my wife to do something like this as they turned out so well . Really can not recommend this enough , even if you've never worked with metal before ( I haven't since school about 30 yrs ago) the team a great at guiding you through everything . Plenty of tea & coffee and the lunch at the pub was delicious . Just a superb day out in every respect ."

phil turcsi reviewed: Knife Making and Bladesmith Classes: Hand-Forged Viking Knife

"loved the Day made a knife in a spartan flare that I am having chromed it's just a very good hands-on experience on Par with forged in fire, as at the end of the day "it will cut" Solid five stars Bad bits the postcode, not the best flew past and missed the sign (needs to be painted white) suggest also to eat before you arrive being out in the middle of nowhere with no shops for miles around but did find a Londis after foraging for food the very good bit the pub grub was lovely and the guys at the forge know there stuff hopefully next year they're going to make axes and a tomahawk would be great to have one."