As part of a week focused on traditional tools and techniques from Norway, this class will make the steel-faced components of several woodworking tools. Steel-faced means high-carbon steel forge welded to a low-carbon body. We will begin by creating bench plane irons before moving to both large and small pjål irons. A pjål is a very old woodworking tool once common throughout Scandinavia, but newly appreciated by hand tool enthusiasts for its many applications. We will forge additional profile irons for hollows and rounds, and make a float that can be used for both plane and pjål making. We’ll wrap up with a simple personalized touch mark for steel and wood. Students should have some forging experience to be successful in this course.

Required Tools

• Safety glasses
• Non flammable clothing, like cotton or wool
• Leather shoes / boots

Optional Tools

• Feel free to bring your own forging tools (hammer and tongs)
• Leather gloves
• Hearing protection