New Blacksmithing Book
The General Blacksmith by Malcolm Paine has just been released in Western Australia and I can truly recommend it to any knife maker thinking of turning to the dark side and forging blades.
Read more...
 
Gas forge making tutorial

We've added a tutorial on how to make a propane gas forge.Active Image

It's not too hard, it just takes some time. Feel free to use and develop the ideas. Details on how to make the burners coming soon. We accept not responsibility on the use of forges you make with this information. Please be careful.

Tharwa Valley Forge does make these forges to order complete with burner and gas fittings. See our shop for more details. 

Click here for the gallery 

 
Welcome to Tharwa Valley Forge Website

Tharwa Valley Forge was established in 2003 by bladesmith Karim Haddad to create high quality knives and tools that are both attractive and functional. Karim was trained by Australia's only Master Bladesmith, Thomas Gerner, in the early 1990's in Western Australia. The Forge is located at theblueroof gallery in Tharwa, Canberra Australia.

 Teaching and learning is a key part of the forge. Regular classes are run to pass on skills and share information. We aim to be the best knifemaking school in Australia offering a wide range of courses and opportunities.

Courses are rated either Basic, Intermediate or Advanced. Basic courses have no pre-requsites other than an interest and willingness to learn. They cover all the steps needed to begin developing the skills. Intermediate courses require previous experience in the topic. This can be from previous courses or similar experiences. They focus more on skill development and practice until levels of proficency are gained. Advanced courses are designed for people with proven skill levels and focus on quite difficult techniques. A discussion with the staff at Tharwa Valley Forge is essential before acceptance on an advanced course.

Our website aims to encourage this learning to continue through resources, tutorials, articles and discussion that takes place. We hope you learn something from your visit. We are always interested in feeedback on how to make this site better. Come back soon and see us again.

 
Damascus (Advanced)

Active Image This intensive weekend course is an introduction to Pattern Welded or Damascus steel. You will learn techniques in welding, folding and patterning beautiful and unique steel. We'll be using a hydraulic power press to make the welds and draw down the billets.  You will make two billets and two forged blades to keep and finish into knives. The billets will allow you to make a number of other knives in the future.

The course goes from Friday night until Sunday Afternoon. For starting dates of next courses see the upcoming courses list on the side panel

 

Cost - $880 (incl GST)

Cost includes: Tuition, insurance, materials, use of tools, workshop consumables, safety gear, tea and coffee.

Need to bring: Lunch, appropriate clothing and covered footwear

Some experience in knifemaking or blacksmithing is an advantage for the course.

 

There is a limit of only two places per course
 
Bladesmithing and Knifemaking Course (Basic)

Learn the art of bladesmithing and knife making from Bladesmith Karim Haddad. This extensive weekend workshop will give you the opportunity not only to learn these skills, but to make a hand forged knife of your own.  Karim will guide a small group through the processes to hand forge and craft a tool that you would be proud to own and use.

The course goes from Friday night until Sunday Afternoon. For starting dates of next courses see the upcoming courses list on the side panel

Cost - $550 (incl GST)

Cost includes: Tuition, insurance, materials, use of tools, workshop consumables, safety gear, tea and coffee.

Need to bring: Lunch, appropriate clothing and covered footwear

This is an introductory course that assumes no prior knowledge, just enthusiasm and desire to learn.

Read more...
 

Upcoming Courses

Fri, May 9th, @7:00pm
Knifemaking
Thu, May 15th, @7:30pm
Sharpening
Sat, May 31st, @10:00am
Blacksmithing - Axe making
Thu, Jun 12th, @7:30pm
Sharpening
Fri, Jun 13th, @7:00pm
Knifemaking
Thu, Jul 3rd, @7:30pm
Sharpening
Fri, Jul 4th, @7:00pm
Knifemaking
Thu, Aug 7th, @7:30pm
Sharpening
Fri, Aug 8th, @7:00pm
Knifemaking
Thu, Oct 2nd, @7:30pm
Sharpening
Fri, Oct 3rd, @7:00pm
Knifemaking
Thu, Nov 27th, @7:30pm
Sharpening
Fri, Nov 28th, @7:00pm
Knifemaking

From a recent course

Essential Supplies

From our Store

Gift Vouchers available

 Gift vouchers are available for our courses. Each voucher comes as a beautiful full colour certificate with the recipients name on it and the course you have organised. The price is the same as the course. They are valid for a year after purchase.

Contact us to organise a gift they will never forget.

 

Knives for Sale

From our Forge


Damascus Skinner

Damascus skinner detail

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We are looking a running Damascus classes in 2008. Which would you be most interested in?