Chalk Pit Forge reviews

7 Apr 16'

Scotty Dodd reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"A superb course and an excellent, patient tutor. I came to Alex with a wish list of skills to try as long as my arm - forge welding, upsetting, drawing down, annealing, normalising, hardening, tempering, bending, twisting, tool manufacture etc etc - we pretty much accomplished the lot in a long hot day at the forge. Alex really knows his stuff and is a very capable tutor. Your experience will be very hands on from the word go. 5***** and looking forward to another session in the future. Cheers."

4 Apr 16'

William Finnie reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"I was given a one day course as a birthday present and greatly enjoyed it! I made the rams head poker, which allowed me to learn all sorts of techniques. Alex was a great teacher, and even as a complete novice beforehand I felt like I knew what I was doing! Came away with a great piece, an amazing experience (and quite a few aches!). Would recommend to anyone interested in giving it a go."

27 Mar 16'

Keith Franklin reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"I was bought a 2 day blacksmith course as a Christmas present with Alex, and was not disappointed. Alex is a very patient and knowledgeable instructor with a passion for his work and encourages you have a go at whatever you want to design and make. He keeps you topped up with tea and biscuits whenever you need a break, and the Amberley museum is a great place to have a go at being a smithy. I was pleased with the items I made which was a rams head poker and a large standard light, which was quite challenging due to the size of the piece, but Alex kept me on track and I was pleasantly surprised to get in finished by the end of the second day. I would definitely recommend him to complete beginners or those with some blacksmith experience looking to expand their skills."

22 Nov 15'

Luke Mortimer reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"I was bought a day at the forge as a (surprise) birthday present and had a fantastic time. Alex is a very patient and knowledgeable teacher. I would certainly recommend this for anyone with an interest in metalwork or even just the desire for an adventurous day out. The items I made are in use - a dragon's head shoe horn and two ornate lantern brackets (now with lanterns, very pretty)."

20 Nov 15'

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

"Always wanted to have a go at blacksmithing and I think this was probably the best introduction I could have had. Alex is clearly a very gifted blacksmith (and very nice bloke); his style of instruction is patient and clear and there is no time wasted - from the start you are at the forge and hammering away. Embarrassingly proud of the rams head tongs I made - could not recommend this more highly."

30 Oct 15'

Sara Brown reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"My husband and I did the one day course, we both had a fantastic day, we made some coat hocks for some drift wood we had. Alex is a very good teacher, patient and explains things very well. My husband had great fun doing some fire welding. We would both highly recommend Alex, Thank you for a great day.5"

23 Oct 15'

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

"I enjoyed the one day introduction to blacksmithing so much, that this is my second time visiting. Alex is knowledgeable and keen to pass on the experience that he has. I would thoroughly recommend this as a day out as there is something elemental and relaxing about clouting red hot metal and turning it into something useful and beautiful."

23 Oct 15'

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

"This course was a fantastic experience, and I got a useful object out of it afterwards! It was very informative, hands on and concise. Chatting over tea and biscuit breaks were also an absolute pleasure, and a great way to recharge and cool down before returning to the heat of the furnace. I'm definitely going to try to pursue this as a hobby from now on, seeing as I've had such a positive experience with it right off the bat! 11/10 would strongly recommend even to people who have never considered blacksmithing before."

22 Oct 15'

Gill Cox reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"A brief chat changed my unrealistic expectations into a plan that was achievable in a day. No, I couldn't manage to turn out a full size replica of the Tour Eiffel, but I could create an amazing piece of garden art. Learning the basics of fire and tool management I began to turn a flat piece of metal and bar into something with shape, form and texture. Alex was encouraging, knowledgeable and adaptable, not to mention patient. He watched and waited for me to achieve the action, suggesting alternative methods, rather than stepping in and taking over. I don't know how you can call a day relaxing, when you spend 8 hours on your feet, swinging a hammer, pounding away, but it was just that. Beautiful surroundings, charming tutor and a truly unique object, an amazing day. Regrets? Absolutely - the day job getting in the way of returning every day. Will definitely be back. Thanks Alex for an inspirational day"

21 Oct 15'

Chas Blundell reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"Alex was an excellent teacher, I thoroughly enjoyed the course and learnt everything I need to get me started, and more. I came away with lots of things that I never thought I would be capable of making. Alex made it not only informative but also very interesting. I would definitely recommend him to complete beginners and look forward to returning for a second course once I have put what he taught me into practise. Thanks Alex, I look forward to my return trip."

21 Oct 15'

Hugh Jones reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"My wife treated me to a one-day blacksmithing course with Alex as a birthday treat. An excellent decision! Alex is a patient and encouraging instructor. He keeps you busy for the full day,which all adds to the sense of enjoyment. I went home with a delightful triple candle holder, which now has pride of place on our dining table. A wonderful experience, and highly recommended."

21 Oct 15'

Jim Green reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"My one day course at Chalkpit Forge was a Christmas present from my wife, following a visit to a smithy in Devon where I was allowed briefly to try out my skills with a hammer (neglected for 60 years). Alex Smith treated us to a most rewarding day, making a new design of candlestick, with me as striker and my wife as artistic director! Alex's easy teaching manner and superb skills at the hearth and anvil made the day memorable. And I now have a unique candle holder to light us to bed!"

8 Oct 15'

charlie wale reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"I was bought a week-end of forging with Alex as a birthday present. I last worked with metal 40 years ago when I was 11, and it’s been something I have wanted to do again ever since. My astute wife picked up on my mutterings and there I was in the dimness of the forge (so you can see the different colours of the metal in the furnace) not knowing what to expect. Alex’ approach was exactly as I wanted. A calm and patient tutor, but very much hands off. This is your project, you are the designer, I will show you the techniques, now get on with it. Over the course of the week-end I learnt a whole range of forging techniques and made a rams head front door knocker. Quite a large one at that, and one that will now require a new front door on which to mount it. Seeing as until then the sum of what I had done with metal was drilling and sawing, I’m really quite proud of what I achieved. If this is your thing, I can’t recommend this week-end highly enough. Not only is Alex a great tutor but he has a good line in banter too. His calm observations on life complement very much what he does for a living, and you will come away from the experience all the richer for it. And as a bonus, his forge is set in a working museum, so by chance I had free entry to an Alfa Romeo day. All in all a great week-end. Thank you Alex (and my wife for the present of course!)"

28 Sep 15'

Janet Pierpoint reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"My husband knowing I always fancied having a go, treated me to this one day course for my 50th birthday. I knew what I wanted to make and Alex was up for it and so made a 5ft garden osbliske for my mop head hydrangea in the garden. It took all day and I had to weld it together later at home in our shed with my son's help. It was hard work and hot but I really had a brillant day, so much so, that my daughter commented on the way home that I look like a chimney sweep, my face being black from working on the forge. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and now wish to continue, Alex was great and very patient. So ladies, (and men) Blacksming is so rewarding and it's not just for boys!"

11 Sep 15'

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

"We bought a one day course for our friend's 40th birthday - she had an excellent time (and so did I watching). As other reviewers have said Alex demonstrates and then it's your turn. Gradually taking you through each stage of the process and answering questions. My friend went home a very happy customer with a much-admired ram's head poker. I was very impressed."

7 Aug 15'

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

"I attended the one day course today and had a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Alex's blacksmithing skills are second to none and his ability to teach blacksmithing to someone with no prior experience is amazing. Just the right balance of tuition and time for hands on practice. The fact that the forge is within Amberley Museum only adds to the experience. I cannot thank Alex enough for his patience and encouragement and I wholeheartedly recommend the course to anyone."

29 Jul 15'

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

"I did a two day course with Alex and it was great fun! I made a candle stick holder and a rams head poker. Both were very interesting things to make and combined a number of different techniques. Alex's approach is to demonstrate a technique and then supervise while you to try it for yourself. This worked well as it means that the final item you end up with is completely your own work - from the initial design to the final finished piece. I learnt so much on both days and would love to go back in future. To top it off, my candle stick holder got full approval from the other half so it's made it to a prime location on top of the dining room table! Well chuffed! : )"

2 Jun 15'

Peter Barnes reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"I have worked at a forge for 5 years and learned more in one day with Alex than my entire training so far, I cannot reccomend this highly enough for anyone who wants to learn from a highly skilled Blacksmith, Alex is patient, informative and willing to allow a great amount of free reign and hands on experience. It is very humbling to be able to learn some time honored skills from someone who has spent their years perfecting and mastering a now rare trade, perhaps one of the most striking things about the experience was that Alex is so willing to pass his skills and knowledge to his customers, I shall keep his helpful advice and information with me every time I light the forge, and I shall most definately be back! Thank you Alex."

1 Jun 15'

Chris Hope reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"My sons bought me a 2-day course for my 60th and I can't thank them enough for it. I had two days of excellent tuition by Alex, giving me the confidence to try all the techniques that I needed to produce more work than I had expected and very pleased with my pieces. I would highly recommend this to anyone - if you have ever thought about it, go try it!"

18 May 15'

Martin Wood reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"I have attended several day courses with Alex over the past 4 years. Alex is a highly experienced and knowledgeable Blacksmith who will tailor the session to suit your needs and experience. The location and setting within the Amberley Chalk pit Museum complex adds to the whole experience and provides a real feeling of how the craft was practiced during an age when Blacksmiths were an integral part of everyday village life."

10 May 15'

Tristan Parr reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"It was great being able to make a poker from scratch with no prior experience and being able to take it home and use it. Very satisfying."

8 May 15'

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

"A most enjoyable day spent with Alex at his forge. His easy manner and patience when demonstrating techniques and his 1:1 teaching were a joy. His knowledge of Blacksmithing is awesome. I choose to make a hanging basket bracket which I had thought may have been too much for a novice in one day, but Alex demonstrated all the techniques required as we went along and I bashed hot metal under his ever watchful eye. Hard work but great fun and at the end of the day one completed bracket, which will have pride of place outside the front door. I would thoroughly recommend a day with Alex at his forge you will learn so much from a man who knows his stuff."

7 May 15'

Liz Pearce reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"I bought my son a 1 day course for his birthday because he had been nagging me to try this for over 18 months; Alex was kind and patient and with his expert guidance my 15 yr old crafted a most beautiful poker which is now prized possession. I was impressed by the level of craftsmanship accomplished in one day and the fact that Alex allowed my relatively young and inexperienced son so much freedom with the work. I would recommend this course, not least because of the beautiful and fascinating setting,"

6 May 15'

Howard Smith reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"I had a fantastic time doing the one day course last September which I received as a birthday present. I made a Rams Head Poker for our wood burner which I am very proud of. I certainly ached a bit the following day but would jump at the chance to do more. Alex is really nice, very patient and a great teacher. His style of teaching by demonstrating the techniques as we went along rather than doing it all for you, means that I can look at my Rams Head Poker and know I made it 100% myself. My family were really impressed, and it sits pride of place by the fireplace. I would recommend this course without hesitation - excellent."

6 May 15'

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

"I attended the second day of a two day course for my wife. Alex is an excellent teacher, calm, clear and the sort of patience that I've not seen for a long time! We came away with some nice pieces and (I think) the ability to reproduce should we happen across a forge somewhere. I would whole-heartedly recommend spending some time with Alex if this sort of thing interests you. He's got a nice list of things to make if you're not sure. If you do have a project in mind, he seemed more than willing to work with you to develop something unique. Book a course and get it 'otter!"