Blacksmithing experience - spend a day in the forge

Description

If you are aged 17 years and over this is a day’s experience working as a blacksmith not to be missed. Working in his workshop/forge you’ll be in the good hands of award winning Master Blacksmith Richard Bent, who is current Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths (WCB) 2024 Champion Blacksmith in their static exhibit section. Suitable for the absolute beginner and those wishing to extend their skills. Take the journey learning the skills of the 12th Century Monk to our Modern Day Blacksmithing techniques. Be prepared to be amazed at your own abilities! You will experience working at any/all of the two charcoal fires, three gas furnaces, an induction forge, anvils, hammers and tongs. Don’t worry you’ll be given instruction and continued support as appropriate on all or any of these. An outline of this exciting blacksmithing day! A WELCOME CUPPA! All our Blacksmithing Experience days start with coffee/tea on arrival. A great way to calm any nervousness, and refresh you after your journey. HEALTH AND SAFETY Health and Safety is important for all and Richard will run through these details. CORRECT HEAT, HOLD, STANCE the basics! Richard will demonstrate making a fairly simple item. The importance of heating your metal to the correct heat (it turns orange), correct hold on your hammer and correct stance at the anvil, then you’ll be able to confidently recreate the practice piece from your malleable metal. Now it's your turn! YOU’LL NOT BE LEFT TO STRUGGLE Working within a small group of up to five people, BUT at your own pace. Richard will be on hand, at your side to give tips and encouragement just when they are needed. You will not be left to struggle with any of the processes. PHEW TIME TO REFLECT WITH COFFEE/TEA, WATER AND BISCUITS! JUST PACE YOURSELF You will work at your own pace using traditional blacksmithing tools such as hammers and tongs, heating the metal to an orange colour in a charcoal fire, gas furnace or induction forge. Then you'll have a go at hammering the hot, relatively soft malleable metal, into various shapes, forms and sizes, working with the various hand hammers on an anvil. DON’T KEEP BASHING COLD METAL! You’ll probably hear Richard advising someone to continually reheat their metal. When it’s lost its orange/red colour you’re not making any progress and only tiring yourself. (Simple analogy - you can’t write if your pen’s run out of ink!) ON TO THE BIG MACHINE You will have the opportunity to work on the power hammer one of the big blacksmithing machines useful for those who may struggle with constant hand hammering. Don’t worry Richard will ready this machine for your use under his guidance. Your individually forged pieces and projects made during your Experience Day are yours to keep and take home to ‘wow’ family and friends. MORE importantly though be proud of yourself, you’ve experienced and accomplished so much. A pat on the back is definitely in order!

What's included in the price?

The course fee includes: 1. All tuition. 2. PPE - safety glasses, gloves. 3. Use of equipment. 4. Tea/coffee and biscuits on arrival, mid-morning break and afternoon break. 5. Bottled water. PLEASE NOTE BRING YOUR OWN PACKED LUNCH YOU should come prepared for an exciting day: Wear clothes that cover your legs (no shorts please), jeans are ideal as they are thick cotton and aren’t usually made of fabric (i.e. polyester or acrylic) which will melt or burn easily. A cotton shirt, sweatshirt or tee shirt with long sleeves to protect against any odd spark. A jacket is also advisable so you don’t get cold when we stop for refreshments and lunch. Suitable footwear for comfort and to protect your feet, work-boots, walking boots or leather trainers are ideal. Non leather Trainers are not appropriate, and definitely not flip flops or sandals.

Cancellation policy

Medium - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 4 weeks before the course starts

Maker

Red Anvil School of Blacksmithing

with Craft Courses since 2015

Message the tutor

STOP PRESS: CHAMPION BLACKSMITH 2024. I was honoured to receive the Champion Blacksmith Award by the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths at their Awards Luncheon in London on 24.10.2024. I am Richard Bent FWCB, a Silver medal holder from the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths. I offer Experience Days in the Basic Skills of Blacksmithing from my well equipped workshop/forge in Halwell, Nr. Totnes, Devon.   I offer tuition to the absolute beginner and those who may wish to build on previous experience.  The student will leave the course having produced several different projects and an overwhelming sense of achievement.  My first interest in blacksmithing was watching Blacksmiths working at County Agricultural Shows. I was Hooked! I had to learn more! How? Where? No You Tube! Only books from which to learn. No Craft Courses in those days! I read and practised all I could, then started in business as a self taught blacksmith. I watched other blacksmiths and ‘stole’ with my eyes! So here I am, with over 45 years experience, running my own courses; I offer all students over the age of 17 years the opportunity to be me for a day! You will create some beautiful pieces to “Wow” your family and friends.