Red Anvil School of Blacksmithing reviews

David Llewellyn reviewed: Blacksmithing course - spend a day in the forge

"Richard was an absolute pleasure to have as a tutor. He struck the balance perfectly between professional blacksmith and patient and caring master of his trade imparting his immense knowledge to absolute novices. The day was paced superbly offering plenty of time to work with the various techniques shown during Richard’s induction. His patience was unlimited and his time spent between the two of us on the course was judged perfectly to allow us to make our own decisions (and mistakes). This was an amazing experience and personally one I will be doing again as I’m fortunate enough to live locally. If this is something you would like to try, I cannot recommend it enough. With Richard you will not only be in safe hands, but in the presence of greatness. (Just look at all his accolades!)."

Red Anvil School of Blacksmithing responded:

"Thank you David, I always enjoy the courses and was glad to hear you gained so much too. I will look forward to our next meeting. Richard "

Mike Bruce reviewed: Blacksmithing course - spend a day in the forge

"Richard was absolutely fantastic and sympathetic to my lack of skill. Watching him at work demonstrating certain elements made it look very easy. As I embarked on my solo trial couldn't have been so wrong! Coordination with the hammer and rotating the piece of metal took a bit of time to sort out! Well worth the money and an experience I hope to do again in the near future."

Red Anvil School of Blacksmithing responded:

"Firstly, thank you for your positive and glowing review it is much appreciated. Secondly, and most importantly we are so pleased you had a really enjoyable day and hope to see you again in due course. Richard "

Peter Snowden reviewed: Blacksmithing course - spend a day in the forge

"Richard provided a course that suited participants of all abilities. I was able to relive my experience of forge work that I acquired when I was at school in the early '60s and with appropriate guidance I was able to proceed at my own pace. I can recommend this course to anyone."

Philippa reviewed: Blacksmithing course - spend a day in the forge

"We were given vouchers for a blacksmith course as an anniversary gift and chose Red Anvil because it seemed good value for money. Right from the start communications were quick and helpful. We'd booked a long time in advance of the course and weren't sure whether it would be going ahead because of social distancing requirements, but we were quickly reassured that a lot of thought had been given to ensuring that the day was safe. As soon as we arrived we received a friendly greeting from Richard and a comprehensive introduction to the forge and how to work metal. We were then given lots of latitude to try different techniques, but Richard was always at hand if we needed any assistance. He was happy to help us try and achieve our plans (albeit that they were a bit too ambitions!) and patiently showed us lots of different ways to do this, including how to use the power hammer. The day is billed as "a day in the life of a blacksmith" and this felt like an authentic experience. Whilst it's fascinating, it's worth noting that it is also a very physical day. We had a great time, but definitely left feeling that we needed to work more on our core and arm strength!"

Red Anvil School of Blacksmithing responded:

"Thank you Philippa for taking the time to write a very well thought out review. I am now rewarded with a ‘Gold’ level award from Craft Courses, with the effect that my courses move further towards the top of the list on the CC website. I am also rewarded by the enthusiastic responses from those who have been on my courses, I am very much aware of just how difficult it is to master any craft. Blacksmithing as a craft has its difficult moments, so for those who undertake the experience, full marks for withstanding not only the technicalities of hammering hot metal into shape, but also for withstanding the conditions of fire and noise. From a beginners point of view, it must be infyriating to hammer away, only for the metal not to co-operate by going in an unexpected direction, or to change into an unwanted shape. Thank you both for enjoying your time as ‘blacksmiths for a day’, it was great to share the experience with you."

Poornima reviewed: Blacksmithing course - spend a day in the forge

"Richard is a superb teacher and provides individual teaching despite it being a group lesson. I am a beginner and decide to take this course out of curiosity but by the end I was totally converted and love the material and the skills needed to handle metal. I see myself returning again to improve my understanding and knowledge. Thank you Richard for being such an amazing trainer!!! A special mention - He was professional and the safety setup he provided for social distancing made me feel safe and comfortable."

Ellie reviewed: Blacksmithing course - spend a day in the forge

"Having been given a voucher Craft Courses voucher for my birthday I could have chosen one of many different experiences to try - I am so glad I chose this one. Richard shares his wealth of experience, teaching without prescribing, giving you the freedom to use your own imagination to create something special to take home. The workshop is full of a wonderful array of machinery and equipment enabling you to try your hand at a wide variety of skills - a real hands-on experience. The day was very well organised with plenty of refreshments and lunch in the local pub, which is a very nice touch. All in all, a brilliant day that I would highly recommend to anyone - go for it - you won’t be disappointed! Thank you very much Richard for a fabulous day."

David Batch reviewed: Blacksmithing course - spend a day in the forge

"I spent a fantastic day at Red Anvil School of blacksmithing. The day started with a friendly welcome from Richard. The day was structured and very hands on. Both Richard and Will were there to guide us but you were on the tools actually making something. The other students were excellent company and from a varied background. Lunch was enjoyed at the local pub. At the end of the day I left with a poppy hand forged by me and a head full of wonderful memories of the day. I thoroughly recommend this experience whatever you ability. Thanks David"

Adrian Handley reviewed: Blacksmithing course - spend a day in the forge

"I went on this course as a complete novice and with pretty much no craft skills and was joined by 5 others all with various levels of competence, yet Dave with his right-hand man made this a great day for everyone. We were given decent coffee (a pleasant surprise!) and biscuits to start with. Then a nice brief overview of the day and it was immediately into the fire. There we continued with support as and when we needed, continual encouragement and the reminder that you can't go wrong making something unique! Lunch in the pub was a needed respite but it was soon back to it. An overall great day, good fun and a lot of learning without ever feeling too uncomfortable. If you're contemplating this course - stop and just book it you won't regret it"

Red Anvil School of Blacksmithing responded:

"Thank you Adrian, for your kind words, your review is much appreciated. Hope to see you on another of the Red Anvil courses. Kind regards Richard"

Paul Le Baigue reviewed: Blacksmithing course - spend a day in the forge

"I really enjoyed my day with Richard. Lunch great. We were well looked after. I would have loved 2 days!!"

dave john reviewed: Blacksmithing course - spend a day in the forge

"Had a thoroughly enjoyable and informative day at Red Anvil. Richard is a true artisan and very worthy of the title 'Master Blackmith'. 6 on the course, 6 forges available so no wasted time waiting for your 'go' with the fire, Richard constantly on hand to instruct and inform as required, made sure we did the job ourselves. On other courses i have had an instructor complete things by demonstrating, not just explaining the technique and then letting me get on with it and ultimately achiveing the desired result. Lunch at the pub was great, plenty of tea nad biscuits what more could you ask for. If you want an introduction to blacksmithing i highly recommend you get down to Totnes and do it at Red Anvil!"

Red Anvil School of Blacksmithing responded:

"Thank you Dave, you made my task of tutoring very easy and really enjoyable. Hope to see you again sometime. Regards Richard"

Bex Radford reviewed: Blacksmithing course - spend a day in the forge

"My husband and I both attended the one day Blacksmithing course in October and were blown away by the day. Set in a fabulous location, working with Richard -an amazing artist/ blacksmith, was an brilliant birthday present. The day was packed full of time to learn and time to experiment and develop our own skills. Accompanied by good coffee and a lovely lunch the day was perfect. Richard shared his wealth of skills and techniques, encouraging us to try and apply learnt techniques throughout the day. This really is a craft to be experienced and not to be missed. Thank you Richard."

Red Anvil School of Blacksmithing responded:

"Thank you Rebecca, your review is brilliant, what a lovely couple of days blacksmithing. I hope the pieces you both made have been much admired. It is a little early, but have a lovely Christmas break. Kind regards Richard"

Ian Pain reviewed: Blacksmithing course - spend a day in the forge

"Fantastic few days, encouraged by an extremely skilled yet humble man. Thanks Richard for an experience not to be missed. I am very pleased with the pentagram you showed techniques to enable me to complete. All the best Ian"

colin wares reviewed: Blacksmithing course - spend a day in the forge

"Having spent my entire working life in the metal working industry I was not sure whether this would give me that much pleasure. How incredibly wrong was I. It was beyond good, it was fantastic. I enjoyed every minute in the company of probably the best Blacksmith in the UK. Very informative whilst allowing most of the time at the forge for a hands on metal crafting experience. highly serious on safety but making it a great fun day for me and the other three on the course. We all made something to take home which will be a lasting reminder of a all round great day."