We're back again - bigger than ever - 2009 Canberra Custom Knife Show.
It will be held on Saturday 31st January at the Embassy Motel in Deakin, with a Workshop day for knifemakers on Sunday the 1st February at the Tharwa Valley Forge.
Contact us if you'd like to be involved.
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 feedback on how to make this site better. Come back soon and see us again.
Featured Course
Cable Damascus (Intermediate)
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.
Tharwa Valley Forge is pleased to offer our propane powered knife making forges. These forges are the same design as used in our courses. Dimensions are 30cm long with a 24cm wide barrel chamber. Custom sizes are available on request. The forges come fully lined with a gas burner and fittings. You just nned to add a gas bottle. It gets up to welding temperature in 10 minutes and has a good reducing atmosphere for forging Damascus. Clean, compact and fast way to forge your own blades.
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.
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.
Tharwa Valley Forge is pleased to offer our propane powered knife making forges. These forges are the same design as used in our courses. Dimensions are 30cm long with a 24cm wide barrel chamber. Custom sizes are available on request. The forges come fully lined with a gas burner and fittings. You just nned to add a gas bottle. It gets up to welding temperature in 10 minutes and has a good reducing atmosphere for forging Damascus. Clean, compact and fast way to forge your own blades.
