Playing with fire and hitting heavy things has been part of humanity for…well, a long time. After all, most crafts rely on a sharp blade of some variety, made by a knowledgeable blacksmith. A blacksmith must be able to take raw material through all the steps necessary to make a blade. This course explores how to take separate layers of steel and iron and place them together to forge weld a multi steel billet. Basic fire box tending, forge operation and materials will be taught and discussed. This course would be a nice complement to the Viking-Era Smelting course taught prior, but that is not a requirement for participation. Students will leave with one or two pattern style billets. Further billet forging projects may be possible if time permits. Students should be able to swing a three pound hammer and stand for ten minutes at a time. Youth ages 14 and older are welcome to participate with an adult.

Required Tools 

• Safety Glasses
• Cotton or flame resistant clothing ([long sleeve shirt, blue jeans, cotton hat or head covering, cotton work apron) 
• Leather work boots or shoes
• Leather gloves
• Dust mask (N95 or KN95)

Optional Tools 

• Blacksmithing apron
• Blacksmith hammers and tongs
• Leather welding jacket
• Didymium safety glasses
• Safety face shield
• Kevlar sleeves, kevlar neck gaiter