Chalk Pit Forge reviews

Ian Mepham reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"Absolutely fantastic day. Alex is a great teacher and truly skilled, passing on the intricate skills in such a way it really does ignite something almost primitive in your soul. I will be back!"

Chalk Pit Forge responded:

"Hi Ian, That's great to hear. Thanks so much for your great review. I'm glad it ignited your soul... it does that to me too! Hope to see you again. Alex"

Ben reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"What a talented guy Alex is and has the patience of a saint! A fantastic course, I learnt so much and can't wait to do more. I highly recommend this course, I had such a great day! Thank you again"

Chalk Pit Forge responded:

"Thanks Ben, very kind words. It's nice to hear and much appreciated. I'm glad you enjoyed it! Alex"

Patrick Warren reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"Very enjoyable and informative and most of all a very patient teacher, will come back"

Chalk Pit Forge responded:

"Hi Patrick, Thank you for your kind words and great review. I'm happy you found it enjoyable and informative! All the best Alex"

Jen reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"Alex's course was a huge hit with my son and husband. They both thoroughly enjoyed learning a new skill and having a go at it. They were thrilled with the beautiful cooking stand that they made for our woodland camping trips. Highly recommend this to all."

Chalk Pit Forge responded:

"Thanks for the great review, Jen. I'm glad they enjoyed it and are happy with what they made. All the best Alex"

Tim Knight reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"I attended yesterday and really enjoyed the experience. Alex is a great teacher who can explain, demonstrate and let you get on with it and then show you how to correct any imperfections! He has a great range of possible items or you can choose to make something that you choose for your own needs. The day passed too quickly, but we seem to have covered a lot of ground and achieved a lot thanks to expert guidance. The museum is worth a separate visit and looks fascinating, and the local area is far more rural than expected, with footpaths through fields full of wild deer (they kept their distance) and all sorts of other fauna and flora. If you have ever wanted to try your hand then I would strongly recommend Alex and I shall be back when I can. Thank you Alex"

Chalk Pit Forge responded:

"Hi Tim, thanks for the great review. Really glad to hear you enjoyed the day and found me a good teacher. Glad you're happy with what you've made. Alex"

Bobby Aspey reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"This one day workshop was a gift from my family. As an experienced teacher myself, I found it refreshing to see that Alex (blacksmith) had a great approach to learning/modelling/teaching. He allowed me, a complete novice the opportunity to try out a vast array of skills throughout the day. His timing on intervention was perfect, never allowing me to flounder but sufficient time to gain necessary momentum at each step along the way. I was astounded by the chestnut pan roaster, designed and finished in the time given. It’s a gorgeous piece of artwork, sturdy and made to last, thanks to his excellent guidance. Superb day!"

Chalk Pit Forge responded:

"Thanks for the great review Bobby. I'm really happy you enjoyed the day, learnt lots and are happy with what you made. All the best Alex"

Ed W reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"I attended this a couple of weeks ago. The location is very interesting - the Amberly museum - looks worth visit in its own right. The forge is fantastic and great to see blacksmithing skills kept alive. During the day I made (with alot of guidance from Alex) a log fire tong. Alex takes you through every step by demonstration and then you are in action straight away. The course was a birthday present and a most enjoyable day with something productive coming out of it. Would highly recommend."

Chalk Pit Forge responded:

"Hi Ed, Thank you very much for the great review, it's much appreciated. Glad you're happy with your tongs. All the best Alex"

Adam Howes reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"I had the pleasure of spending a day at the forge with Alex, who is very welcoming and friendly. The training is very well structured with an insight into how metal behaves at different temperatures, and how to work with the material to end up with a finished piece, that I can’t believe I have made. Certainly nobody I’ve shown it to can believe that I’ve made it, all testament to the expert guidance from master craftsman Alex. I will be going back for sure!"

Chalk Pit Forge responded:

"Hi Adam, Thank you for the great review. I'm very happy you have achieved more than what you believed possible! Cracking job! Alex"

Mr Brian Taylor reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"A really fantastic, enjoyable day at the forge making a candlestick holder. This was my first go at blacksmithing, but Alex is a great tutor, guiding me through the process and techniques step by step. The day went really fast, but we got the job done! Very pleased with the end result. Thoroughly recommend having a go at one of the courses that Alex offers!"

Chalk Pit Forge responded:

"Hi Brian, Thanks for the great review. Glad you're happy with the candlestick holders and what you made. All the best Alex"

Marc Draper reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"I spent an excellent day under Alex's tuition. I was not a complete beginner when I walked into his forge and came away from it with much more knowledge and confidence to try more at home. The tongs I made will be very useful for future projects. I would not hesitate to recommend the course at the Chalkpit forge"

Chalk Pit Forge responded:

"Hi Marc, thanks for the great review. Glad to hear you learnt lots and are happy with what you made. All the best Alex"

John Marson reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"A great day in a fantastic authentic environment. Alex was a patient and friendly teacher who could step in to fix things if they went awry but otherwise led through the processes step by step by example and gave me a real sense of achievement and an insight into how much skill blacksmithing must take. I really had fun and the day flew by, the poker I made and Alex's toasting fork with ram's heads are in pride of place each side of my fire!"

Chalk Pit Forge responded:

"Hi John, thanks for the great review. I'm really glad you enjoyed it and are happy with what you made. Alex"

Jessica Parkes reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"Absolutely wonderful 2 days with Alex at Chalk Pit Forge. Used loads of tools, learnt more than I thought possible and laughed a lot. Came home with a knife and remarkably level table base. Such a great, 1 off experience to learn a traditional skill in a fun and relaxed environment. Couldn't recommend more. Thanks Alex"

Chalk Pit Forge responded:

"You're very welcome Jessica. And thank you for your company, I had a laugh to! Glad you've made something you're proud of. Good job. And thanks for the review, much appreciated. Alex"

Kenneth Dummer reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"A brilliant day with Alex at a great old traditional forge located in the grounds of a lovely museum. Very quickly put at ease by Alex upon arrival and made to feel at home. I decided to make a Rams Head toasting fork and Alex very professionally set about showing me the processes. The day just zoomed by and I absolutely enjoyed every minute, including lunch with Alex in lovely surroundings. I am now the proud owner of a toasting fork (made by me) and poker (made by Alex) to match. I would thoroughly recommend this for pure self indulgence or as a great present for someone else! Cheers."

Chalk Pit Forge responded:

"Hi Ken, Thanks for the great review, it's much appreciated. Really glad to hear you enjoyed it. Alex"

Justine Williams reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"What a fantastic day in the forge where I heated, bent and bashed metal rods to create a tree-like bird feeder! Alex is a patient and encouraging teacher whose blacksmith and artistic skills helped me create something I am proud of."

Chalk Pit Forge responded:

"Hi Justine, thanks very much for the great review. Glad you're proud of what you achieved. Well done! Alex"

Sarah Tullett reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"A brilliant 1 day course with dedicated 1-1 tuition. Alex was an excellent and positive mentor and enabled me to realise my paper weight idea within the time. A very traditional forge located in a beautiful rural museum. Absolutely loved it and would thoroughly recommend."

Chalk Pit Forge responded:

"Hi Sarah, Thanks so much for the great review, it means a lot and am glad you enjoyed the blacksmith experience. All the best Alex"

Stephen Penfold reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"The day spent with Alex was great and well worth the long wait due to covid etc! My goal was to make a set of house numbers and Alex patiently guided me through each new step but was happy to let me get on with repetitive tasks once mastered! The project took all day, which flew by and I went home a happy camper with my new numbers. Alex is a great teacher with his forge in a fab location, would recommend this course to anyone with an interest in traditional crafts."

Chalk Pit Forge responded:

"Thanks for the great review Stephen. I'm so glad you enjoyed it and thought it was worth the wait. All the best with the volunteering. Alex"

Rob S reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"I had a fantastic day and learnt a lot of new skills, a highly recommended experience. Alex is a great teacher, has a lot of patience and is keen to share his skills and knowledge. I was really impressed with his portfolio. I made an obelisk for the garden that ended up being around 1.5m high with swirls at the top of each leg. The circles use to create the shape we’re also hand made and hot riveted into place. Alex took me through each step showing me how to do it and then expertly guiding me as I replicated his work (or at least tried to ?) As we finished ahead of time Alex suggested filling it by making some additional small ‘shepherds crooks’ which can be used for bird feeders or hanging garden lights, so you definitely get your money’s worth. Many thanks Alex and I’m looking forward to returning for another great day, maybe even two"

Chalk Pit Forge responded:

"Thanks for the great review Rob, glad you went home happy. I hope the obelisk and t-light holders are looking good in your garden. Look forward to seeing you next time around. Alex"

Mike reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"A long delayed present - covid has so much to answer for.... Alex was very welcoming and helped me transpose my basic sketch into an achievable project for the day, incorporating a wide variety of elements of the blacksmith's trade., and then exposed me to them one by one with simple demonstrations and patient encouragement whilst I attempted to follow them. The final product was prominently displayed at home after the course, which reflects the value placed on the results ... a fantastic day"

Chalk Pit Forge responded:

"Thank you for the great review, Mike. I'm glad you're happy with what you've made. All the best Alex"

Carl G reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"This course used my idea of something to make as a basis for learning. Alex is a patient tutor, who helps you fulfil your ideas. It’s obvious he has a wealth of practical blacksmithing knowledge which helps your little creation come alive. Its fully hands on which is great."

Chalk Pit Forge responded:

"Thanks Carl. Glad you're happy with the experience and what you made. Alex"

Lesley Mitchell reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"My mum bought the course for my 16 year old son. He has a totally fantastic day! He would love to do more. Alex was a great teacher and my son produced an amazing item. He gifted it to his grandparents who were amazed at what he had achieved. He loved understanding the process and working with the tools in the creation of his piece."

Chalk Pit Forge responded:

"Thanks for the great review Lesley. Glad you're happy with what he achieved. Alex"

Danial Farahabadi reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"I did a one day, one to one blacksmith course with Alex which was a present from my fiancée. This was my first ever time blacksmithing and I made myself a dragons head door knocker which will be going on the front door of my house. I would like to say thank you so much to Alex for all his help and direction. He is an amazing teacher and an extremely talented blacksmith! I had such an amazing time, and blacksmithing is definitely something I would love to do again!"

Danial Farahabad reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"I did a one day, one to one blacksmith course with Alex which was a present from my fiancée. This was my first ever time blacksmithing and I made myself a dragons head door knocker which will be going on the front door of my house. I would like to say thank you so much to Alex for all his help and direction. He is an amazing teacher and an extremely talented blacksmith! I had such an amazing time, and blacksmithing is definitely something I would love to do again!"

Chalk Pit Forge responded:

"Hi Danial, thanks for the great review, it's much appreciated. Glad to hear you'd do it again. Many thanks Alex"

Lee Horwood reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"My wife bought me this 1 day experience as a Christmas present last year. I wanted a specific Saturday in Oct so my wife could come along and watch, which was accommodated. I came up with my own design for a wild camping pot hanger which we managed to produce and it was better than my original expectations. Alex is a very knowledgeable blacksmith with a lot of patience. The location is just perfect in Amberley working museum with adults and children popping their heads over the door to see what you are up to. I would highly recommend this experience and will probably book another in the future. :-) Thank again Alex"

Chalk Pit Forge responded:

"Hi Lee, Glad to hear you enjoyed your self and are happy with what you made. Perhaps see you again on your next project. Alex"

Karl reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"My wife surprised me with this course and it’s probably the best present I’ve ever had. Alex is a great teacher, very skilled and takes time to explain not only how to blacksmith but also theory behind metal working. On the one day course I made a fantastic garden lily sculpture which I will treasure in my garden. Fantastic experience and something really unique to take home. I hope to do another day soon!"

Chalk Pit Forge responded:

"Hi Karl, Thanks for the great review. Hope your Lily birdfeeder looks good in the garden. Alex"

Philip Jarman reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"I took a two day one-to-one course with Alex as a complete beginner and loved every moment. He's patient, funny, skilled and great at communicating his (extensive) blacksmithing skills to others. The work is physical and hot, but so enjoyable and it's great to be able to take home an armload of useful things you've made. Can't recommend it highly enough: as a present for someone or a a treat for yourself."

Chalk Pit Forge responded:

"Hi Philip, Thanks for the great review, much appreciated. Really glad you enjoyed it! Alex"