Aardvark Blacksmithing reviews

Stuart reviewed: Day classes in traditional blacksmithing ... make an item to take away

"Rudy is a great teacher and is great at facilitating the projects you want to do. I wanted to make a narrow bladed trowel for my allotment and he made up the schematic based on some pictures I had. He got me to work straightaway and kept me supplied with biscuits and tea. "

Alison Bayliss reviewed: Day classes in traditional blacksmithing ... make an item to take away

"Great experience! Really appreciated the patience, geniality and good humour of our lovely tutor Rudi. He gave us confidence to carry out the skills we learnt and sensitively intervened when we were struggling to achieve the next step. As a result we came away with items we were proud of and will give us memories of a wonderful day. Thank you Rudi. We loved having gentle Rico there too! "

Chris reviewed: Day classes in traditional blacksmithing ... make an item to take away

"What a fantastic special birthday present! Thank you Alison and Milli for organising and sharing the experience. We thoroughly enjoyed our day. (Sat 6th July) Rudi wasn't phased by our late arrival, and was happy to guide us carefully and patiently, giving us confidence in using lots of practical blacksmithing skills. As complete beginners we were amazed at what we achieved; spiral key rings, a leaf handled poker and 2 candle holders (with a lot of help when needed and fuelled by Rudi's fresh coffee!) Thank you Rudi, for giving us a day to remember (and Rico too!)"

Aardvark Blacksmithing responded:

"Hi Chris thank you for your positive reveiew Was a pleasure teaching you all And I think everything you all made came out well Many thanks Rudi "

Jenny reviewed: Day classes in traditional blacksmithing ... make an item to take away

"I had a wonderful day working at Rudi’s forge learning a new skill with some fantastic teaching. I chose to make a knife but we also managed a keychain, coat hook. I’m very proud of the results! Rudi gave great explanations and then the perfect balance of letting me get on with it independently whilst still checking in on how I was getting on. I wholeheartedly recommend!"

Aardvark Blacksmithing responded:

"Thank you Jenny for your review It was a pleasure and I’ve rememberd the scientific bits regarding working tempratures That I usually forget so ta for asking … bright orange is around 1000degreas .! I Think you worked well on things and made some really nice peices Thanks Rudi "

Toby Cotterill reviewed: Day classes in traditional blacksmithing ... make an item to take away

"I had a great day blacksmithing with Rudi, making some technical silversmithing stakes to use in my work. He helped me forge the spring steel into shape, including squaring, forging, bending, creating a round polished end, annealing and hardening. Thanks for a great day, I hope to be back!"

Aardvark Blacksmithing responded:

"Hi Toby thank you for the review I enjoyed the day too having not made snarling irons before Thank you for all the info and drawings on snarling irons which made the process much easier to work out I think you made some great peices And hope they work well.. let me know Plan to make a couple myself as they are a very usefull and clever but simple tool Thanks Rudi "

Mark reviewed: Day classes in traditional blacksmithing ... make an item to take away

"I bought this experience with Rudi as a gift for my wife for our iron wedding anniversary and the whole thing has just been perfect and an experience neither of us will forget. Rudi has been nothing but professional, helpful, accommodating and friendly throughout the whole process, even before we had booked this course. It was just myself and my wife giving us an exclusive and personal experience. We arrived with ideas of what we wanted to make and it was just awe inspiring seeing him work out how he was going to get us making our objects. In no time we were both at the forge and anvil making our first items. We made wine glass holders for the garden, a decorative bracket for a bird feeder and some key rings. As mentioned in previous reviews the balance of close supervision and direction with being left alone was perfect. We would both thoroughly recommend this course to anyone interested. Thank you for such a lovely day Rudi. "

Katie S reviewed: Day classes in traditional blacksmithing ... make an item to take away

"I booked this for my boyfriend’s birthday and it exceeded expectations. We made a key ring and a clothes hook each and Rudi let us make a hatchet axe which we were unsure if we could make. He was very helpful and whilst we were making the key rings, took the time to plan and brainstorm the idea, to find the best way to make the axe. He had the perfect balance of helping us and leaving us to it. Overall a great experience and a great teacher, thanks Rudi! (and Rico)"

Aardvark Blacksmithing responded:

"Hi there thank you for your review Was a pleasure teaching you both and really pleased you both enjoyed the day Many thanks Rudi "

Alex reviewed: Day classes in traditional blacksmithing ... make an item to take away

"Great day! Had a lot of fun and learnt a lot. Made a pendant, knife and a fire poker all of which I got to take home. Good guidance but also left alone enough to try out what youve just learnt. Would highly recommend!"

Alan. and Matthew. reviewed: Day classes in traditional blacksmithing ... make an item to take away

"My son and I spent the day with Rudi on this course. It was a brilliant day if a little cold. Rudi is a great teacher and everything was hands on from the get go. Relaxed teaching, focusing on learning by doing rather than theory work. I specifically asked If we could learn to make arrow heads and medieval nails and Rudi didn't disappoint . By the end of the day, we had made Bodkin Arrow heads, nails and a pair of Blacksmithing tongs that we can use at home when I build my own forge. I thoroughly recommend this course if you are interested in learning some blacksmithing skills, but have no experience like us. "

Zak Ferguson-Young reviewed: Day classes in traditional blacksmithing ... make an item to take away

"I had a great day learning the basics of blacksmithing with Rudi. I made a small keychain which my wife loves and a knife that whilst slightly imperfect I'll treasure forever. Great instruction throughout the day helping me to create pieces I'm proud of. Would definitely recommend this course."

Josh and Bel reviewed: Day classes in traditional blacksmithing ... make an item to take away

"Fantastic all day course with the Blacksmith Rudi. Me and my wife made coat hangers key chains and even a whole knife! We learned the different stages that iron and steel go through, how to hammer and heat steel correctly, and how to temper and finish it. Special mention to the wonderful dog Rico who supported us the entire day!"

Daniel Hawkes reviewed: Day classes in traditional blacksmithing ... make an item to take away

"The one day blacksmith course with Rudi was exceptional. Rudi taught me the fundamental skills of blacksmithing and I was able to forge three items in the day course. I highly recommend the course to anyone who is interested in blacksmithing. "

Aardvark Blacksmithing responded:

"Hi Dan thank you for your review. It was a pleasure working with you and I think all the items turned out well. Cheers, Rudi "

Steven Culleton reviewed: Day classes in traditional blacksmithing ... make an item to take away

"What a fabulous experience. So far out of my comfort zone when I arrived. But Rudi eased me in and showed such expertise and patience I loved every minute. Rudi has such a lovely demeanour explaining everything and effortlessly boosted your confidence. Great day…. Thanks again Rudi."

Owen reviewed: Day classes in traditional blacksmithing ... make an item to take away

"I had a great time and learnt a lot. Rudi was super patient while I got to grips with working the metal and plenty of tips to help me create a piece I was satisfied with. I would definitely recommend this experience to others."

Gary wilson reviewed: Day classes in traditional blacksmithing ... make an item to take away

"Really enjoyed the day and would recommend. Learnt a lot, made more than I was expecting before the course. "

Peta reviewed: Day classes in traditional blacksmithing ... make an item to take away

"My husband and I had a fantastic day with Rudi. It was so much fun to learn blacksmithing techniques and to make something we could take home. I had a bit of marble worktop lying around which I wanted to turn into a plantpot stand and Rudi helped me come up with a brilliant design and while I attempted the legs, he kindly made a frame for them and welded it all together at the end. My husband made a manly marshmallow toaster and also had a fabulous day. Rudi is exceptionally patient, helpful, kind, friendly, enthusiastic and a great artist. We had a lovely day and I have been recommending this course to everyone I've spoken to. :-) If we ever decide we want a ironwork object for our house in future, we would definitely see if we could go back and make it together with Rudi (if he would have us!) :-). "

Lindsay Taylor reviewed: Day classes in traditional blacksmithing ... make an item to take away

"What a brilliant day!! We tasked Rudi with helping us create a piece for the wall above our fireplace. He helped us through the design stage through the forging and shaping of the materials and finally even let us do some welding! We ended up with a really bit of beautiful art deco inspired artwork! Thanks Rudi!"

Mix reviewed: Day classes in traditional blacksmithing ... make an item to take away

"My friend and I had an amazing time with Rudi. He’s such a pleasant and patient teacher. Really laid back and encouraging. The forge is a basic and functional workshop full, basic but full of character and charm, you must look around his collection of his own sculptures and metallic keepsakes. We had an excellent time with Rudi and highly recommend a trip. "

J reviewed: Day classes in traditional blacksmithing ... make an item to take away

"Throughly recommend. Rudi was a great teacher and and the course was a lovely way to spend a day. Thank you."

Jenny reviewed: Day classes in traditional blacksmithing ... make an item to take away

"This was a 15th birthday present for my son. Rudi was very welcoming and my son was soon heating a metal bar in the forge to make a fire poker, which he got done for lunch time. After lunch, Rudi worked with him to make a rustic knife and while the knife was cooling before the final stage of the process, he had time to make an S hook. All items turned out amazing. My son thoroughly enjoyed the day and was proud to show off what he had made to family. We can 100% recommend this course with Rudi ."

Miriam reviewed: Day classes in traditional blacksmithing ... make an item to take away

"I bought this workshop as a gift for my husband and he had an amazing day. Rudi is a lovely person as well as a patient, brilliant teacher and my other half was so happy with the items he made. He came home with beautiful things, a few blisters and a big smile! A perfect day! Thank you 😊"

Aardvark Blacksmithing responded:

"Hi Miriam really pleased he enjoyed the day and was great working with him on the ankh candle holder .. I’ve never made an ankh befor and though simple in appearance it is quite a tricky form to forge but I think it turned out well .. anyway it was a pleasure meeting him and teaching .. and think he had a good eye for working the metal at the forge and anvil Many thanks for the review Rudi "

Ian Seddon reviewed: Day classes in traditional blacksmithing ... make an item to take away

"Had an amazing day with Rudi, great coach and trainer with a wealth of knowledge. Made a rake for the wood stove and a garden spike with ornamental head. Would strongly recommend this course. Thanks Rudi for a brilliant day."

Aardvark Blacksmithing responded:

"Hi Ian thank you for the review It was an interesting day and enjoyed meeting , working with you , and your enthusiasm and think the things you made turned out really well and hope you have found a place in the garden that the garden ornament goes Many thanks Rudi "

Rohan reviewed: Day classes in traditional blacksmithing ... make an item to take away

"A fantastic day with Rudi learning the craft of blacksmithing. Would definitely recommend."

Aardvark Blacksmithing responded:

"Ehh up Rohan enjoyed teaching you and hope you get the forge up and running and hope those hooks work well . If you need any advise on putting together the forge just let me know Thank you for your review Rudi "

Lee reviewed: Day classes in traditional blacksmithing ... make an item to take away

"What a fantastic day! Rudi is a lovely personable guy who (obviously) really knows his stuff and is very talented (you just have to see the work he has made in his workshop to see that). He takes his time and explains the whole process in a very understandable way, particularly for me who had no prior experience. I made a fire poker, knife and key fob. Rudi demonstrates the process and then allows you to copy and create your own pieces. It's hard work work but thoroughly enjoyable, I'd highly recommend this experience...... be prepared to get your hands dirty!! "

Aiden Morley reviewed: Day classes in traditional blacksmithing ... make an item to take away

"Absolutely great experience. Rudi is a very nice guy and very knowledgeable. Thoroughly enjoyed the course and making the bits I did. Would highly recommend. "

Aardvark Blacksmithing responded:

"Thank you Ben it was a pleasure teaching you and you picked things up fast and had a good eye for making things . Hope all goes well in the future .. and hope you have found a place to put the hook .. and been able to sharpen the knife a bit more .. knives can take some time to make and sharpening takes time as well Anyway all the best and thank you for the review Rudi "