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.
by multi award winning knifemakers • SHAWN Mc INTYRE( American Bladesmith Society, Master Smith) • MIKE PETERSEN • BRUCE BARNETT • KEITH FLUDDER
as well as tutorials by
• DOUG MOSELEY (President Aust. Artistic Blacksmith Assoc.,N.S.W. branch), • GREIG THIN-SMITH (Master Jeweller)
• WAYNE HOLLOWAY (International Photographer).
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 first Master Bladesmith, Thomas Gerner, in the early 1990's in Western Australia. The Forge is located in villiage of Tharwa, Canberra Australia.
Teaching and learning is a key focus 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 feedback on how to make this site better. Come back soon and see us again.
Venturi Burner Tutorial
This is a tutorial on how to build a simple LPG venturi burner. The parts cost around $60 AUD without the regulator. The forge's atmosphere can be adjusted by twisting the upright pipe, which varies the amout of air sucked in.
Please be careful when working with gas. If you don't know what you are doing, find someone who does.
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 and rolling mill 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 either by forging or stock removal.
The course goes from Saturday morning until Sunday Afternoon. For starting dates of next courses see the upcoming courses list on the side panel.
Cost - $880 (incl GST)
Some experience in knifemaking or blacksmithing is an advantage for the course.
Teaching and learning is a key focus 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.
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 and rolling mill 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 either by forging or stock removal.
New cross pein forging hammer 1.35kg. Head is 13 x 4 x 4cm
