Welcome to the Bushfire Forge School of Smithing.
I run classes in Bladesmithing (knifemaking), Swordsmithing, Axe Making and Pattern Welding (damascus steel). I am happy to teach beginners and more experienced smiths. The school, which opened in January 2008 is fully equipped for between 4 and 10 students (dependant on class), providing quality teaching as well as 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 development.
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 up to date heat-treating facilities.
I run one day, three day and five day courses, currently my classes run Monday to Friday and not at weekends.
We also hold special Master Classes with guest teachers.
I teach bladesmithing (knife making) and Damascus as one to one tuition and can make up a tailored course for your group if you have more than one person who is interested in a tailor made class. Please contact me for to discuss your requirements.
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