Courses

Have you ever wondered how our ancestors produced sharpened tools of stone like axe heads, knife blades, and arrow points? Learn how flintknapping evolved and how to identify appropriate base materials from which you can produce a variety of sharpened stone tools. This class will introduce the basic techniques of…

Outfit your own blacksmithing tool chest while developing and refining your skills on the forge. In this course, you will create the set of tools needed to become a backyard blacksmith, while simultaneously learning the basics of blacksmithing. Initial tool projects will include tongs and fire-tending tools. Heat treatment, forging,…

Always wanted to try your hand at the forge? This is the place to start and continue to develop your blacksmithing skills. You will be introduced to the basic skills of the blacksmith, including safety, fire control, tools, and equipment in both a classroom and "on the forge" setting. Student…

Popularized today by many historical re-enactors of the fur trade era, the throwing axe is a weapon that is deeply embedded in North American history. Akin to the hatchet, it offers the ability to split and chop wood but is also designed to be used as a hand-to-hand or throwing…

Combining blacksmithing and jewelry-making, this course offers an opportunity for beginning and advanced students of any interest to develop their skills as they forge and craft a Damascus ring with a silver liner. Students will begin by forging a piece of damascus steel, a particularly beautiful and ornamental steel filled…

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 into one solid billet. Like a baker…

The North House Blacksmith Shop excites the curiosity of adults and kids alike, as hammers pound, sparks fly, and red-hot metal becomes a fire poker, hook, or other tool right before their eyes. Try your hand at the forge in this family class, as kids and adults work together to…

Learn blacksmithing through making several small household items from the Viking age. This class will utilize traditional hand forging techniques to produce everyday iron items typical of those found in the archeological record from 9th century Sweden. Over the course of three days, students will forge a cloak pin, a…

Ten centuries may have passed since the Viking age, but some things remain the same:  the components of knife-making: fire, steel, skilled knowledge and effort and the usefulness of a small pocket knife. This class will utilize traditional hand forging techniques to produce small Viking age knife blades typical of…

Explore one of the mysteries of yore: the Viking Age noise maker. Originals have been found in Viking burials across northern Europe and several of these are currently on display in the Swedish History Museum in Stockholm. What was the exact original purpose was for these artifacts? Some experts suggest…

This class is just what the title suggests- making a knife that is meant to be used- in the garden or forest, for cooking or hunting.  We will begin by hand-forging a blade of high-carbon steel, starting from round stock.  With the blade forged to shape, we will do heat…

"How did I ever do without this?” Be the proud maker and user of an essential woodworking tool: the kebiki, a Japanese marking gauge. Rather than scratching across wood fibers as a sharpened pin (the tool most often used for scribing in Western woodshops) does, kebeki slice the fibers, which…

Tollekniv comes from the old Norse words "talga"—to work wood with an edge tool—and "knifr," knife. The tollekniv comes in many different shapes and styles depending on region. There are several different types of knives in the kitchen; the same is true in a woodshop; for example, a utility tollekniv…

"Get the Edge" might be another appropriate title for this course. Chisels, planes, gouges, knives, scissors, spokeshaves, and more--these tools of the trade function at their best when the cutting edge is truly prepared for business. Ready to slice butter? This comprehensive overview of sharpening will help you understand the…

Learn to forge the quintessential tool of the North Woods and thrive in the art of bush craft. This tool packs big results in a little package. The size of this axe lends itself to be easily portaged, yet has enough weight to handle any camp chore. This axe will…