Courses

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…

For woodworking projects from chair making to spoon carving and beyond, a small sharp drawknife is an ideal tool. Used in conjunction with a vise or shaving horse, this tool can rapidly remove large amounts of material or delicately create smooth finished surfaces on both flat planes and compound curves.…

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…

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 uses…

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…

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…

The “crooked knife” is known by many names – mocotaugan (Cree), waagikomaan (Ojibwe), couteau croche (French), and the aforementioned English version. It is an old tool of Native American origin historically used as the primary means for a wide variety of woodworking projects - birch bark canoes, snowshoes, paddles, ax…

The “tollekniv” or whittling knife is a rich cultural tradition of Norway. In this class you will make a “hverdags kniv," a style of knife gets everyday use in the fields or forest. Women often like the “damekniv”, a smaller knife to use around the house. In this 2-day class…

"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…

In this course we will make three rare and fantastic woodworking tools in three days. Our emphasis will be on making unique, custom tools that perform well, not on trying to emulate commercially produced tools. These are traditional designs, but with modern improvements that make them more workable than antique…