The Australian Knifemakers Guild aims to promote, preserve and develop the craft of knifemaking and all its various disciplines to the highest standard possible. Members regularly meet at knife shows to share ideas and inspiration on their latest creation.
Joining the guild is a great way to improve your skills and networks as a custom knifemaker. Probationary members must meet certain standards of fit and finish on their blades before being accepted as full members.
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 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.
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 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.
New cross pein forging hammer 1.35kg. Head is 13 x 4 x 4cm
