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Blacksmithing at North House

Learn Blacksmithing on the Shores of Lake Superior!

Learn the craft of traditional blacksmithing at North House Folk School! In a timber-framed shop by the shores of Lake Superior, you’ll use coal forges and hand-crank blowers to turn raw metal into functional pieces. Whether you're a complete novice or looking to refine existing skills, discover a supportive community that celebrates traditional craftsmanship in this charming harbor town!

New to Blacksmithing? Start Here!

Continue Your Journey:

From Viking-Era Smelting to Damascus steel and lots more, North House offers a wide range of blacksmithing classes for folks looking to sharpen their skills. Click the button below to explore all upcoming Blacksmithing Courses:

Why North House?

Your North House Folk School experience extends far beyond the classroom, resulting in a unique immersive environment on the shores of Lake Superior in Grand Marais. You'll find yourself part of a warm, welcoming community where shared fika (a break for coffee and treats) and casual conversations with fellow craft enthusiasts enhance your learning journey.

The campus itself, with its timber-framed buildings and stunning lake views, provides an inspiring backdrop that connects you to northern Minnesota's natural beauty and cultural heritage right outside your classroom door.

Whether you're staying for a weekend blacksmithing workshop or an extended blacksmithing course, you'll leave with not only new skills, but also a deeper connection to traditional craft, the natural world, and a one-of-a-kind community of makers.

FAQs

What is a folk school?

Folk schools emphasize learning for the sake of learning. There are no exams, no credits, and no term papers. As much as our courses teach a particular skill, they also encourage lifelong learning. This type of learning environment is inspired by Scandinavian folkehøjskoler (folk high schools).

Here at North House, we provide hands-on workshops taught by skilled artisans who guide students through blacksmithing techniques including forge welding, tool-making, decorative ironwork, and blade crafting. Our classes allow you to connect with northern craft traditions while creating functional and beautiful metal pieces using traditional methods and equipment.

Where are you located?

The North House Folk School campus offers a picturesque setting that perfectly complements our educational mission. Nestled along the harbor in Grand Marais, the campus features charming timber-frame buildings with expansive views of Lake Superior's ever-changing waters. This ideal location connects you seamlessly to both the charming downtown with its local shops and eateries and the surrounding wilderness of Minnesota's North Shore.

Our campus features a fully-equipped blacksmith shop with forges, anvils, hammers, and all necessary tools for your metalworking classes, while the welcoming school store offers a curated selection of handcrafted iron items, quality blacksmithing tools, instructional books, and locally-made goods to help you continue your craft journey long after your workshop ends.

Learn more about our campus and plan your visit to Grand Marais.

What blacksmithing classes do you teach?

Our workshops welcome both newcomers to the craft and experienced smiths looking to expand their skills. Each class takes place in our well-equipped blacksmith shop where our instructors—many of whom are practicing artisans—share their expertise. Whether you're interested in creating functional household items or artistic metalwork, our changing lineup of blacksmithing courses offers something for everyone, regardless of experience level.

 

Who can take your blacksmithing classes?

Our blacksmithing classes welcome adult learners of all backgrounds, with most courses designed to be beginner-friendly and requiring no previous experience. While our primary focus is on adult education, select classes are open to youth participants (typically ages 14-17) when accompanied by an adult, creating meaningful opportunities for intergenerational learning. We encourage family connections through our special intergenerational discount, which provides reduced tuition when an adult and youth register together for designated courses, making traditional craft education more accessible across generations.

Be sure to check out our special Families at the Forge courses!

How long are your blacksmithing classes?

Our blacksmithing classes vary in length, but average three days in length, with most scheduled over weekends to fit into your schedule. This thoughtful timing allows you to fully immerse yourself in learning traditional craft skills without requiring an extended time commitment.

How do I sign up for a blacksmithing class?

You can look through our full course catalog of blacksmithing classes and register online. You may also check out our Registration Information page and learn more about waitlists, cancellation policies, and everything else you need to know about becoming a North House student.

You can view all open blacksmithing courses here.

Do you offer discounts or scholarships?

Absolutely! We believe that craft education should be accessible to anyone with an interest in learning. We have a local discount of 25% for legal residents of Cook County, a scholarship program to aid those with financial need, and a Work Study program including weekly drop-in opportunities and extended sessions. You can learn more about all of our Financial Accessibility Programs here.

The Scholarship and Work Study Programs are made possible through the generous support of North House members - add your support to these programs and the overall work of the school by making a gift today!

Blacksmithing in Action!

Check out these videos and blog posts by North House instructors sharing the joys of their blacksmithing practice.

Blog - Blacksmithing: Path to Apprentice

How do you forge a blacksmithing career? According to North House blacksmithing instructor Dave Hanson, there is no structured or formal path to becoming a master blacksmith in the United States. There are many blacksmith and metalsmith guilds out there with a list of points one should hit before becoming a master, but the list changes from guild to guild.

Continue reading

Viking Era Smelting—A Video Postcard

A visit to Wayne Potratz's Viking Era Smelting course at North House Folk School.

Forging a Canister Damascus Kitchen Knife

In this 3-part series, Cody Myers creates a canister damascus steel kitchen knife. He builds the canister, forge-welds the steel, forges the knife, and thermal-cycles the blade.

Part 2    Part 3

Live Blacksmithing with Elizabeth Belz

Watch Elizabeth Belz make a wall hook in the North House Blacksmithing Shop.

Currently Scheduled Blacksmithing Courses

Teaser image for Blacksmith’s Folding Knife

Blacksmith’s Folding Knife

Throughout history, blacksmiths have made their own tools, among them the…
Sat, Aug 30th, 2025  –  Tue, Sep 2nd, 2025
9am-5pm each day
Instructor: Robert Burns
Teaser image for Blacksmithing: Crafting The Tools of the Trade

Blacksmithing: Crafting The Tools of the Trade

In this course, students will begin to outfit their own blacksmithing tool chest while…
Sat, Sep 27th, 2025  –  Tue, Sep 30th, 2025
9am-5pm each day
Instructor: Cody Myers
Thu, Apr 23rd, 2026  –  Sun, Apr 26th, 2026
9am-5pm each day
Instructor: Cody Myers
Teaser image for Blacksmithing: The Basics & Beyond

Blacksmithing: The Basics & Beyond

Always wanted to swing a hammer and fire up a forge? This is the place to start and the place to…
Mon, Sep 22nd, 2025  –  Thu, Sep 25th, 2025
9am-5pm each day
Instructor: Cody Myers
Thu, Apr 2nd, 2026  –  Sun, Apr 5th, 2026
9am-5pm each day
Instructor: Cody Myers
Sat, May 23rd, 2026  –  Tue, May 26th, 2026
9am-5pm each day
Instructor: Cody Myers
Mon, Jun 22nd, 2026  –  Thu, Jun 25th, 2026
9am-5pm each day
Instructor: Cody Myers
Teaser image for Blacksmithing: The Next Step

Blacksmithing: The Next Step

For those looking to level up their blacksmithing skills in the way that only an immersive hands-on…
Wed, May 27th, 2026  –  Sat, May 30th, 2026
9am-5pm each day
Instructor: Cody Myers
Teaser image for Blacksmithing: Women & Non-Binary Session

Blacksmithing: Women & Non-Binary Session

This three-day class is an introduction to forging taught by a female-identifying smith as an…
Fri, Sep 5th, 2025  –  Sun, Sep 7th, 2025
9am-5pm each day
Instructor: Becca Cerra
Fri, Jun 12th, 2026  –  Sun, Jun 14th, 2026
9am-5pm each day
Instructor: Becca Cerra
Teaser image for Botanical Blacksmithing

Botanical Blacksmithing

Not all flowers wilt in scorching heat—these forged beauties will bloom all year long. Learn…
Fri, May 8th, 2026  –  Sun, May 10th, 2026
9am-5pm each day
Instructor: Elizabeth Belz
Teaser image for Craft a Custom Crooked Knife

Craft a Custom Crooked Knife

The crooked knife, also known as the mocotaugan (Cree) or waagikomaan (Anishinaabe), has an…
Fri, Nov 21st, 2025
9am-5pm
Instructor: Nate Johnson
Teaser image for Crafting the Throwing Axe

Crafting the Throwing Axe

Popularized today by movies and many historical reenactors of the fur trade era, the throwing axe is…
Sat, Jun 27th, 2026  –  Tue, Jun 30th, 2026
9am-5pm each day
Instructor: Cody Myers
Teaser image for Damascus Blade with Birch Bark Handle and Leather Sheath

Damascus Blade with Birch Bark Handle and Leather Sheath

Sparks will fly as we begin forge-welding immediately! This class is suitable for smiths with at…
Thu, Apr 30th, 2026  –  Sun, May 3rd, 2026
9am-5pm each day
Instructor: Jeff Harper
Teaser image for Damascus Rings: Jewelry from the Blacksmith Shop

Damascus Rings: Jewelry from the Blacksmith Shop

Combining blacksmithing and jewelry-making, this course offers an opportunity for beginning and…
Mon, Aug 25th, 2025  –  Thu, Aug 28th, 2025
9am-5pm daily
Instructor: Robert Burns
Teaser image for Families at the Forge

Families at the Forge

The North House Blacksmith Shop excites the curiosity of adults and kids alike—hammers pound,…
Thu, Oct 16th, 2025
9am-3pm
Instructor: Cody Myers
Fri, Oct 17th, 2025
9am-3pm
Instructor: Cody Myers
Sat, Oct 18th, 2025
9am-3pm
Instructor: Cody Myers
Sun, May 31st, 2026
9am-3pm
Instructor: Cody Myers
Teaser image for Forge a Railroad Spike Knife

Forge a Railroad Spike Knife

Learn to take an American icon and forge it into a versatile tool. Students will use high carbon…
Tue, Sep 16th, 2025  –  Thu, Sep 18th, 2025
9am-5pm each day
Instructor: Cody Myers
Teaser image for Forging A Mjolnir: The Blacksmith's Rounding Hammer

Forging A Mjolnir: The Blacksmith's Rounding Hammer

No power hammer? No problem! In this class we learn to forge a rounding or cross peen hammer by…
Wed, Apr 15th, 2026  –  Sun, Apr 19th, 2026
9am-5pm each day
Instructor: Jordan Borstelmann

Forging the Blacksmith’s Knife

The Blacksmith is primarily a tool maker, and every tool maker needs their own handmade knife. The…
Sat, May 16th, 2026  –  Mon, May 18th, 2026
9am-5pm each day
Instructor: Cody Myers
Teaser image for Frightful Forging

Frightful Forging

Over the glow of the forge, we will channel eerie inspiration and a pinch of Halloween…
Thu, Oct 23rd, 2025  –  Sun, Oct 26th, 2025
9am-5pm each day
Instructor: Cody Myers
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