Tharwa Valley Forge runs Australia's most comprehensive range of courses on Knifemaking and Bladesmithing. Our courses happen regularly throughout the year at out workshops in Canberra. If the dates don't suit and you have a few friends interested, contact us about a custom course that works for you. Individual tuition is also available.
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.
This one day workshop further develops skills in forging blades. The emphasis is on improving skills through practice. Each participant will have an opportunity to forge a number of blades of diffeing sizes and shapes. Typically each participant will make 5 - 6 blades during the course, depending on individual skill and speed.
Course runs from 9am until 3:30pm. Please bring your lunch. Cost $200
This one day intensive course is for people wanting to further develop their grinding skills. The course will be using the Radius Master 48" grinders as well as the DJ Grinder 72" belt grinder. It will cover
Hollow grinding
Convex grinding
Flat Grinding
Chisel Grinding
Profiling
Shaping
Edge geometry
Finishing
Participants need to bring either some previously forged blades or, if using the stock removal method, profiled blanks. A minimum of four blades will be needed.
Course goes from 9am until 3:30pm and costs $200 - which includes belts, equipment, safety gear. Please bring lunch.
Forged blacksmithing tongs - box jawed. Jaw width 32mm, tongs 380mm long. Perfect size for bladesmithing. 
