Blacksmithing & Toolmaking
Blacksmith’s Friction Folding Knife
Course Overview
This course will introduce students to the methods and techniques involved in hand crafting an all-metal friction folding knife, a project suitable for beginners to experienced smiths that want to learn more about knife making. Students will learn to forge, grind, heat-treat, and polish a carbon steel blade using coal or propane forges. We will also forge and shape a steel handle for the knife, assemble the pieces, and sharpen the finished blade. Students will use hand tools such as tongs, hammers, files, and sharpening stones, but should expect to use power tools such as grinders for cutting and shaping parts of the blade and handle material.