School of Smithing

Welcome to the Bushfire Forge School of Smithing.

I run courses in the ancient arts of blacksmithing and bladesmithing (knife making) using a modern perspective, for both beginners and those with more experience. The school, which opened in January 2008 is fully equipped for 6 students (maximum) providing quality teaching and one-to-one tuition.

I have always been passionate about the hot forging of metal. It is an amazing thing that a material so hard can be formed so exactly and artistically. The ability to forge steel has been fundamental in man’s relationship with tools.

The courses concentrate on hand work with a lot of time spent with a hammer over the anvil. I am not however adverse to the use of modern methods and tools where appropriate. I have made sure that there are both coke forges and gas forges, so as to give the opportunity of trying both.

I approach the subject of bladesmithing and knife-making in a very contemporary manner and intend to add a current perspective to creating man’s oldest tool. The courses are run using appropriate carbon steels (no using up of old files here!). There is a grinding room for the grinding of blades as well as heat-treating facilities.

Most courses will run as weekend courses with some week-long courses. As well as more formal teaching classes I am holding a monthly Open Forge where those who have already completed a course may come to practice and improve upon the skills learnt under my guidance.

We will also be holding special Master Classes with guest teachers. The first of these being a sword course with Don Fogg, one of Americas most respected Bladesmiths, in March 2008.

I also teach bladesmithing (knife making) as one to one tuition at a cost of £200 a day and am happy to make up a tailored course for your group (minimum of 4 students).

Booking a course