Classes and Open Forge Calendar

Bridgetown Forge offers a variety of classes, for both a novice and the experienced smith: forging Japanese-style knives, tool-making, tong-making, and basic smithing. Heat-treatment, steel selection, and metallurgy are also extensively covered. Hofi’s ergonomic forging method, which allows for fast, accurate forging with reduced effort, is taught throughout, and the emphasis is on practical, straightforward, and effective shaping of steel. Our shop is well-equipped with multiple forging hammers, extensive grinding and polishing setup, gas and coke forges, and an individual forging station for every student. Nine students can be fully accommodated in any class.

New classes are being developed on a continuous basis, and classes to be offered in near future include: power hammer work, forging a cleaver, forging a sushi knife, hammer-making, and axe-making. The goal is to offer a complete curriculum covering the many different skills of a blacksmith.

Loading Events

« All Events

  • This event has passed.

CLASS: Tool Making

March 7 - March 8

Saturday and Sunday
9:30 am – 4:30 pm

The making of tools has always been one of the mainstays of a blacksmith’s set of skills. Not only is the smith expected to make most of their own tools — traditionally, a smith would make the tools for every other trade and craft, from a nail to a sword. In this class, we make a varied set of tools, and learn the simple, logical, no-nonsense ways in which steel bars can be turned into sturdy, useful and beautiful hand tools. In this class, you will forge a center punch, cold chisels, screwdriver, pry bar, hammer head, and blacksmith’s tongs. The photo represents the tools you will be forging. You will also learn how to heat-treat tools, how to identify the various tool steels, and how to use recycled items in tool making. Throughout the class, you will learn and practice Hofi’s ergonomic forging technique. All the tools made are yours to take home.

Class fee is $380, inclusive of all the materials and safety equipment.

This class is limited to 8 students.

Details

Venue

Details

Venue