Knifemaking
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) PDF Print E-mail
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.

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Forging Blades (Intermediate) PDF Print E-mail

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 

 
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Grinding (Intermediate) PDF Print E-mail

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.

 
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Upcoming Courses

Thu, Sep 17th, @7:30pm
Sharpening
Thu, Oct 15th, @7:30pm
Sharpening
Fri, Oct 16th, @7:00pm
Knifemaking
Thu, Dec 10th, @7:30pm
Sharpening
Fri, Dec 11th, @7:00pm
Knifemaking

Knifemaking Tip

“Don't put your knife in a drawer with other kitchen items. The bumping around will dull the edge.”
-Common sense

From a recent course

Essential Supplies

From our Store

Knifemaking Steel

High carbon steel for bladesmithing. Excellent for forging and heat treating. The steel works well under the hammer and the size is perfect for a range of small to medium blade. This is a simple steel that is oil quenched and shows hamon lines very clearly when heat treated correctly. Perfect for Japanese style blades. You should get between 4 and 6 blades per length. 15N20 is the same as 1075 with an additional 2% nickel. It makes a high contrast pattern when combined with either 1075 or 1055 in Damascus steel.

  • 1055 - 4mm x 25mm x 530mm (annealed) 400g - $10 per length
  • 1075 - 3mm x 25mm x 450mm (spring tempered) 250g - $15 per length
  • 15N20 - 2mm x 25mm x 500mm (annealed) 200g - $15 per length

Postage/freight extra. This is in limited supply so contact us now to order.

 

Knives for Sale

From our Forge


Damascus Skinner
Damascus Belt Buckle
Damascus Belt Buckle back
Damascus skinner detail

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