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.
"I absolutely LOVED this day; Richard and Will were excellent patient teachers and I learned so much! I particularly enjoyed being able to try the various heating and metal working techniques (although my favourite was charcoal, hammer and anvil!) I went with one idea of what I wanted to make and very quickly changed my mind which I think Richard and Will are very used to! ;-) I would definitely recommend doing this with Richard and Will and would love to do it again! "
Red Anvil School of Blacksmithing responded:
"Thank you Alison for your kind review. I was pleased to meet you and it was a great joy to see how much you gained from the experience. Passing on my skill always gives me great satisfaction. As you say we are used to students developing their ideas and will do all we can to ensure the outcome is to their liking. As you say Will is very patient and he too enjoyed the day honing his teaching skills.
Kind regards Richard "
"I enjoyed the day and the experience of working in the forge. Richard has a free-style of teaching to your needs and was always available for advice or to demonstrate a technique. I had a few ideas of things I wanted to make and succeeded in the end. We had a group of four of us all making different things with the steel provided. There is plenty of space and tools to use. I now know something of the shades of orange! "
Red Anvil School of Blacksmithing responded:
"Good morning Alan, thank you for your kind review. It’s great that you felt you could explore your ideas and you were able to fulfil them. I’m really pleased that my skills can be passed on to others and you have certainly shown your ability and skill. Richard "
"I attended a blacksmithing day with Richard last Friday. I had fun and learned a lot; Richard's teaching style allowed the students to learn by experimenting and observing his demonstration. Richard was extremely flexible when I had to change my dates. Not only did I learn a new way to work with metal but also had a brilliant laugh with him and the other participants on the day. Highly recommended!"
Red Anvil School of Blacksmithing responded:
"Thank you Tom. I was really pleased we could get together and a delight to meet an enthusiastic young man with a lot of of potential. You performed the tasks really well and left with some really stunning pieces.
Richard "
"I had a fantastic day yesterday with Richard at his forge. He shares his wealth of experience and provides great, informal tuition, giving you the time, tools and materials to learn and explore at your own pace. The workshop is incredibly well equipped, letting you experience a wide range of tools and equipment. "
Red Anvil School of Blacksmithing responded:
"Thank you Nick, it was great to meet you and so pleased you enjoyed the day. Your work definitely reflected your enthusiasm and skill which gave me real satisfaction that I was passing on my passion.
Richard "
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