Highly prized for centuries for its uncanny strength, ability to hold an edge, and distinctively beautiful swirling and flowing patterns, Damascus steel is art—forge welding at its finest—as you combine different types of steel, forge them through fire, and hammer them into one solid billet. Like a baker uses kneading and folding to create a loaf of marble rye bread, the blacksmith uses welding, folding and drawing techniques to create a completely unique piece of steel. Through this course you will learn how to forge weld a Damascus steel billet and you will then turn the billet into a knife. Knife style and profile are open-ended and students are encouraged to come with something in mind. By giving a detailed look at topics like annealing, normalizing, heat-treating, thermal cycling, grain structure, grinding techniques, polishing, and finishing, this course is meant to give a thorough understanding of working with steel. The class is open to students of all skill levels, from students anxious to pick up a hammer for the first time to experienced smiths looking to develop new skills. Depending on skill level, students may or may not go home with a finished blade, but everyone will leave with a solid foundation and understanding of knife forging and working steel. Led by an experienced instructor, this tutorial format features an opportunity to build skills through repetition and feedback. Materials fee includes the use of coal/gas for forge work and the costs of steel, etc.

You will need the following tools for this class:

• safety glasses
• ear protection
• leather gloves
• jeans
• cotton shirts (no nylon clothing)
• leather shoes
• clothing comfortable to outdoors-in

• vice grips
• channel locks
• your favorite blacksmithing hammer (non claw types - 1-3lb hammer)
• good file for steel
• tongs or over-sized pliers
• 4.5" grinder