This is a one day introductory course in making pattern welded (damascus) steel.
After an introduction to metallurgy and theory of pattern making, you will begin forge welding a 20 layer billet of 1055 and 15N20 steel, using our hydraulic press. Once fused into a single block and drawn out, it will be cut into three, restacked and welded into a 60 layer billet. This is repeated untill you have a 180 layer billet.
The billet will then be cut in half and a different pattern worked into each piece before drawing out the billets to their final shape. They are then ground flat and acid etched to reveal the pattening.
The
course goes for one day from 9am until 5pm. Please contacvt us to arrange a time.
Cost - $440 (incl GST)
It is not necessary to have previous experience in forging for this course. You will keep the billets made for future projects.
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 intensive weekend course is an introduction to Pattern Welded or Damascus steel. You will learn techniques in welding, folding and patterning beautiful and unique steel. We'll be using a hydraulic power press and rolling mill to make the welds and draw down the billets. You will make two billets and two forged blades to keep and finish into knives. The billets will allow you to make a number of other knives in the future either by forging or stock removal.
The course goes from Saturday morning until Sunday Afternoon. For starting dates of next courses see the upcoming courses list on the side panel.
Cost - $880 (incl GST)
Some experience in knifemaking or blacksmithing is an advantage for the course.
A sharp knife is much safer than a blunt one. It cuts cleanly and does not slip, causing few accidents. Yet most people don’t know how to sharpen a knife and keep it sharp. This evening course, run by Bladesmith Karim Haddad, shows you the secrets of getting and maintaining a fine edge. Five different methods will be demonstrated in setting an edge as well as burr removal honing and touching up. Knife care and storage will also be covered to ensure you knife stays sharp. This will be followed with a practical session where you get to sharpen the knives that you have brought with you.
Cost is $75 for the evening – 7:30pm until 10:00pm.
There is a maximum of only six participants per class.
Father and Son Course (Basic)
This one day course provides a very special experience for Fathers and sons to share, as you learn new skills. Enjoy the ring of the anvil, the glow of hot steel and the pleasure of making something with your hands. It is a perfect gift or either father or son , something that will be remembered for a long time.
It is designed for ages 10 and up, with different projects available for differing abilities. Skills will be developed in hammering, drawing, shaping and twisting steel. Projects will be completed by working together and helping each other.
There is an emphasis on making things that will be useful and easily completed in the time - hooks, fire tools, small butter knives, candlesticks.
Both need to be able to swing a hammer with some degree of accuracy (nothing that a little practice on a block of wood can't help). It is a physical day, and you will sleep well after it.
Bring a lunch to share with you. All equipment, materials and safety gear is provided.
Maximum of four in a class.
Cost for the day 9:30am - 3pm is $275 per pair (ages 10 - 14)
or 9:30am - 4pm is $350 per pair (ages 14 - 18)
Contact us to book a course in a time that suits.
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 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.
Forging Blades (Intermediate)
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
“If your drillings are coming off in any colour byt silver, sharpen the bit” -Les Stanley
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.
This is a one day introductory course in making pattern welded (damascus) steel.
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.
This intensive weekend course is an introduction to Pattern Welded or Damascus steel. You will learn techniques in welding, folding and patterning beautiful and unique steel. We'll be using a hydraulic power press and rolling mill to make the welds and draw down the billets. You will make two billets and two forged blades to keep and finish into knives. The billets will allow you to make a number of other knives in the future either by forging or stock removal.
ls. Enjoy the ring of the anvil, the glow of hot steel and the pleasure of making something with your hands. It is a perfect gift or either father or son , something that will be remembered for a long time.
