Blacksmithing Basics – Making a Letter Opener and Iron Age Knife

April Special: take both classes in one weekend

Blacksmithing Basics-Making a Letter Opener: This class is an introduction to blacksmithing, including safety precautions and some techniques for working with hot steel. The project is a letter opener, a knife-shaped piece of forged and twisted steel suitable for opening a sealed envelope. A handout will be provided.

Blacksmithing Basics - Making an Iron Age Knife: This class continues a student's blacksmithing experience, reinforcing previously learned safety precautions and techniques, and developing the student's skill. The project is a small Iron Age knife similar to one found in a Danish archaeological site. It was worn hanging from a cord on a woman's girdle, and most likely used for basic household cutting chores like food preparation, clothing or shoe repair, etc. This project also teaches some basic bladesmith techniques, including distal taper and quenching. A handout will be provided.

Students must wear fire-safe clothing (cotton, wool, or leather; no synthetics), closed-toe shoes (no synthetic uppers), and should dress for an open classroom. Long pants and short sleeves recommended. 

Water will be provided.