Fundamentals of Blacksmithing

There is a tremendous allure to the craft of blacksmithing.  The glowing hot metal, the earthy smell of burning coal, and the rhythm of the hammer have been inspirational to poets, painters, and sculptors for thousands of years.  What those artists of old didn’t know is that blacksmithing is incredibly fun!  Come to Sanborn Mills Farm and try it for yourself.

In this three-day course, we will explore the basic skills and techniques fundamental to blacksmithing.  We’ll cover how to properly manage a coal fire, learn tips and techniques on how to use features of the hammer and anvil to efficiently move the hot material, and how to overcome obstacles and difficulties that inevitably come-up when forging.

What you learn in this project-based class will be applied to every project you will ever do involving the hammering of hot metal.  Students will produce small forged objects (such as a bottle opener, a simple trivet, and a wall hook, just to name a few) while gaining experience in techniques such as tapering, hot-punching holes, and scrolling.  This class is perfect for those who have never tried blacksmithing, as well as those who have limited experience but are looking to tighten up their understanding and ability.  All workshops run from 9AM- 5PM with an hour for lunch in the middle of the day.

All Beginners and novices welcome!

Skills and Techniques:

• Proper fire control
• Tapering
• Splitting
• Punching
• Scrolling
• Upsetting
• Twisting
• Forge welding

Materials Fee: $20 for steel paid directly to the instructor

Special Tools or Equipment: The farm makes available to students eye and ear protection, gloves, and aprons. Comfortable closed toed shoes and street clothes are recommended. If you have forge tools you like working with you are welcome to bring them.

Please be sure to read our 2025 policies before you register for a workshop which can be found here Workshop Policies