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.
From Friday, 03 October 2008 - 19:00 To Sunday, 05 October 2008 - 17:00 Every day
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.
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.
Location: Tharwa Valley Forge Contact: Karim 6235 5622
This course introduces the concept of forge welding cable to create patterns in the steel. This not only makes attractive blades, but also a very tough, flexible blade that keeps a great edge. This process is called "pattern welding" or sometimes "Damascus" after the city which made the process famous.
The finished blade is then etched in acid to bring out the patterns of the different parts of the cable - often with dramatic results.
This course introduces the concept of forge welding cable to create patterns in the steel. This not only makes attractive blades, but also a very tough, flexible blade that keeps a great edge. This process is called "pattern welding" or sometimes "Damascus" after the city which made the process famous.
Forged blacksmithing tongs - box jawed. Jaw width 32mm, tongs 380mm long. Perfect size for bladesmithing. 
