Hammer and Hound Forge reviews

6 Nov 24'

Bethanie Lewis reviewed: Beginners Knife Forging Day

"If I could give this experience more stars I would! I wanted to book a surprise, unique course for my Fiance's birthday and smithing his own knife certainly seemed like something that would be up his street! Alex was super super helpful from start to finish and honestly made the day so fun, relaxed and entertaining. His enthusiasm and passion for his craft was so inspiring its definitely made us want to come back again! I had first reached out over WhatsApp to enquire about the course and he was more than happy to explain and help me understand everything to ensure that I had the right course and information. He even offered to have a look at any images I might be able to send to check that what my fiance would want to make would be okay in the session. When we arrived we received a super warm welcome and even though I was just watching and taking pictures he made sure everyone was super safe and that I was comfortable and had a great view to watch! My fiance crafted his own bushcraft knife to use when he goes camping and absolutely loved putting the effort and work in to have something super special he could come home with! Overall this was one of the best experiences we've had and I couldn't recommend this course enough to anyone even thinking about wanting to do something unusual and learn a new cool skill! Thanks so much Alex for making our day special!!"

7 Oct 24'

Rachel S reviewed: Beginners Knife Forging Day

"Absolutely outstanding experience! We did the beginner bladesmithing day for my partner's birthday. Alex runs Hammer and Hound Forge, and is an excellent teacher, knowledgeable, friendly, and approachable. After explaining each step, he lets you get on with it without making you feel like he's hovering over your shoulder. He helps where required but encourages you to make the item your own and supports you in doing so. Loved being able to create something awesome to take home! Thank you so much, Alex!"

30 Sep 24'

Phil, Heather & Ross reviewed: Beginners Knife Forging Day

"My wife and son and I have just attended a Beginners Knife Forging Day at Hammer and Hound Forge in Blyth, Northumberland. What a fantastic day! Alex is such an excellent, knowledgeable and patient teacher! My son and I both came away with 2 sloyd knives that we can use in woodcarving! And my wife is now the proud owner of a kitchen knife. Fantastic that we’ll be able to use knives that we made with our own hands from scratch! Alex took us through each step of the process and was always on hand to help us with the tricky bits. Can’t recommend highly enough - thanks, Alex for an experience we’ll remember for the rest of our lives!"

29 Sep 24'

Geoff Brown reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners Day

"An excellent introduction to the basic skills and techniques of Blacksmithing. After our first “project” which we were all allowed to go down our own paths under Alex’s watchful eye, and guidance. His knowledge and enthusiasm are boundless in equal measure, I can not recommend Hammer & Hound Forge highly enough."

24 Sep 24'

Emma reviewed: Axe / Hammer Forging Day

"This experience was amazing. Alex is great and very easy to get on with. He supports and encourages you through out the day and offers help if needed. I was so chuffed with my axe."

21 Sep 24'

John C. reviewed: Damascus Steel Knife forging

"I was given a Craftcourses voucher and decided to try something new to me, a Damascus blade knife course at Hammer and Hound. It was great! Alex is an enthusiastic and knowledgeable tutor. It was a full on two day course but the time flew. Alex instructed the three of us what to do, explained why we were doing it and only stepped in when we started to slip behind schedule. At the end we each had an individual knife of our own design. Very happy with whole experience."

13 Sep 24'

Lloyd reviewed: Beginners Knife Forging Day

"Really fun and informative day. "

10 Sep 24'

Autumn reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners Day

"Alex was friendly and welcoming, a great teacher who put everyone at ease even with a range of ages and abilities. His love of the craft and knowledge shone through. The day was full and good value for money. Would highly recommend."

8 Sep 24'

Rik reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners Day

"My son attend the course and he loved it. Great experience and he came home with his creations."

2 Sep 24'

Phil reviewed: Damascus Steel Knife forging

"Truly great experience. Alex is a fantastic teacher on this slick & well practiced course. He allows you to learn through experience and truly make your own knife while stepping in when needed to demonstrate and keep everyone on track. Absolutely worth it for the experience alone but you also get a beautiful knife to use for years to come. "

22 Aug 24'

William Gowdy reviewed: Axe / Hammer Forging Day

"Had a brilliant time, highly recommend if you have an interest in Forging. Very beginner friendly and a lot of fun. Will be looking at going back as soon as I can to make a hammer :)"

19 Aug 24'

Reece porritt reviewed: Axe / Hammer Forging Day

"Brilliant experience, enjoyed every minute of the day. Passionate instructor who really made me feel at ease, he was really welcoming and took care of us. "

19 Aug 24'

Mark reviewed: Axe / Hammer Forging Day

"Fantastic experience, highly recommend the course to anyone, you learn so much and Alex is brilliant and takes all the time you need to be confident and answers any question you might have. 10/10 excited to go back!"

18 Aug 24'

Pete Kerr reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners Day

"My wife and I booked onto this and had a thoroughly great time! Alex talked us through the various tasks and techniques and had a nice balance between letting us try things and providing support. We made a poker and fire rake, a couple of edgy bottle openers and some door hooks. It's a well set up forge with quality tools and equipment. I was a little worried that it would have been 'health and safety gone mad' but in the end it was very safe but allowing us to get on and make things. The things we managed to make were surprisingly complex for absolute beginners! Thoroughly recommend!"

12 Aug 24'

Kevin Forth reviewed: Beginners Knife Forging Day

"Fantastic course - beginners knife making. Alex is great, very relaxed, very thorough and very knowledgeable! I had an idea of the knife I wanted to make and it was made with Alex's guidance at each step of the process. Although slightly different to the knife I set out to make, my knife changed through the process of making my original idea and that's part of the beauty of hand making something - it's even better than what I had in mind! I would definitely recommend Alex, Hammer and hound and I will be back to make something equally awesome!"

29 Jul 24'

Andrew reviewed: Axe / Hammer Forging Day

"Axe making course was great. This is the second course I’ve done with Alex at Hammer and Hound Forge and I’m going to be booking another. Not only is he an expert craftsman with loads of time and patience helping those on the course, but you get to come away with a really useful tool that means all the more because you’ve made it yourself. "

18 Jul 24'

Ross reviewed: Beginners Knife Forging Day

"Excellent course, highly recommend it. He's a great teacher and everyone came away with a great knife"

15 Jul 24'

Duncan McNulty reviewed: Beginners Knife Forging Day

"I had a great day doing knife making with Alex. He was very knowledgeable and able to give clear instructions which made completing each step surprisingly simple. As expected, safety was a big thing but he managed to make it not get in the way and the atmosphere was one of fun throughout the day. Any time I got stuck with something Alex was there within moments ready to jump in and help without feeling like he was constantly watching over me. Overall I was very impressed with the set up of the whole day and also that he managed to get a great looking, completed knife out of my inept hands. I would recommend anyone interested in giving blacksmithing a good go to have a try of this course. You won’t regret it."

11 Jul 24'

Mark Robinson reviewed: Beginners Knife Forging Day

"Attended the knife making workshop- wow what a great day! Alex was really switched on, very skilled, knowledgeable and a great communicator. Thoroughly enjoyed the day, as did the other four people on the course. I would highly recommend this, irrespective of if you have any experience or none, like me. Made a great knife I felt very proud of 😀 Would be very keen to attend another of the workshops, maybe an axe next time!! - Thanks Alex"

10 Jul 24'

Peter Goodbarn and Dylan reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners Day

"We thoroughly enjoyed Alex's one day beginners course, especially my Grandson. We both learned a lot which was all down to Alex's patience and deep knowledge of Blacksmithing. We look forward to the next course. "

10 Jul 24'

Philip reviewed: Damascus Steel Knife forging

"This course was absolutely awesome. I turned up a beginner to blacksmithing – the course was a gift from my wife – and slightly concerned about the suggestion that some experience would help. Alex was endlessly patient, letting me find my way but jumping in occasionally to stave off disaster or guide me in the right direction at key moments. The result was a handsome chef’s knife with beautiful rippling Damascus patterns, and it’s sharp too! Four participants was ideal. There’s plenty of space in the forge and we got into a nice rhythm working round the various power tools. Lots of work with an angle grinder, so it helps if you have used one of those before. Looking back, Alex crammed a great deal into two long, hot and grimy days. It was amazing. Go on, treat yourself. "

9 Jul 24'

Steve Heckels reviewed: Beginners Knife Forging Day

"Fantastic day with Alex guiding me through the process of making my own knife. Great atmosphere, professional instruction but with plenty of laughs along the way. I would recommend this course to anyone as Alex makes sure everyone gets the support they need ."

8 Jul 24'

Graham Clark reviewed: Beginners Knife Forging Day

"Thoroughly enjoyable day, well led by Alex. His knowledge and ability is quickly apparent and he helped all of us throughout the course, showing where we had gone wrong and helping us to make corrections. He explained all of the safety risks, demonstrated necessary techniques and how to use the various machines and allowed everyone to get on with their own knife making. I was very pleased with my end product made using tools and techniques I hadn’t used before. Congratulations on running an interesting and memorable course. "

7 Jul 24'

Jim reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners Day

"Excellent day, cheers Alex!!"

7 Jul 24'

Dave Wilson reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners Day

"Had a fantastic day with Alex , he is a very skilled and knowledgeable Blacksmith, I learnt a great deal which is down to his passion and enthusiasm for his craft, I would highly recommend this course."