Click the links below to book now! Introductory workshops are open to any experience level. The intermediate workshops are much more challenging, and I recommend having some metalworking experience before booking. I am also happy to host workshops around your schedule. Click here to request a workshop for a specific day and time. Feel free to call (504)-635-5805 or email olof@churchmouseforge.com if you have any questions. Click here to see all upcoming workshops.
Everything is Included - The workshop price includes parking, materials, fuel, personal protection equipment, and even refreshments to help keep you going strong at the anvil.
Visiting New Orleans? - Hop on the St. Charles Avenue Streetcar in the French Quarter and enjoy the sights of the city on your way to the shop. The forge is a 10 minute walk from the S. Carrollton at Oak stop, and while you are uptown you can visit some of the great restaurants, distilleries and breweries on Oak St. Are you flying home without a checked bag? Shipping is available for knives and anything else you make that would not be allowed in a carry-on.
Intro to Knife Making:
Blacksmith’s Knife
This workshop is an introduction to bladesmithing, hand making knives by forging hot steel. Starting with 1084 flat bar stock, we will use a hammer and anvil for the majority of the work, forging the steel close to the final shape. After forging we will grind rough bevels, heat treat, finish grind, and sharpen. This class will prioritize the safety concerns of metal working, good forging technique, and general best practices when in a blacksmith shop. The project is a utility knife with a scrolled handle.
Intro to Knife Making: Stock Removal
This workshop provides an introduction to stock removal knife making. Starting with 1084 flat bar stock, participants will use various tools to shape the steel. The process includes cutting the profile, grinding rough bevels, heat treating, finishing grinding, and sharpening. Beyond bladesmithing skills, there will also be attention to safety protocols and best practices in a blacksmith shop. The project for the workshop is a drop point knife with a hardwood scales secured with brass pins.
Intermediate Blacksmithing: Tongs
This workshop is hands-on tool making which requires some basic blacksmithing experience. During this workshop, we will look at the range of tong functionality, best design practices, and methods of production. We will make at least one pair of tongs, with the possibility of additional pairs as time allows. This class will prioritize the safety of metalworking, good forging technique, and general best practices when in the blacksmith shop.
Intermediate Blacksmithing:
Cross Peen Hammer
This workshop is a hands-on tool making course which requires some basic blacksmithing experience. The project is cross peen hammer in a weight of your choosing from 1-3lbs. The hammer head will be hand forged from a block of 4140, heat treated, ground, and fitted onto a hickory handle. This class will prioritize the safety of metalworking, good forging technique, and general best practices when in the blacksmith shop.
Halloween Event: Memento Mori Bottle Opener
A memento mori is an artistic theme that has been used for centuries to remind us that we are mortal and death is inevitable. While initially morbid, the true meaning of a memento mori is to seize the day and do what you can with your life. In this workshop, you will learn how to hand forge a skeleton bottle opener from red hot steel with a hammer and anvil. This class will prioritize the safety concerns of blacksmithing, good forging technique, and general best practices when in the blacksmith shop.
Intro to Blacksmithing:
Bottle Opener
This workshop is a hands-on introduction to the craft of blacksmithing. The project is a sturdy bottle opener, forged from solid steel. This workshop is designed for the absolute beginner, and no metalworking experience is needed. You will learn how to forge red-hot steel with a hammer and anvil. We will also look at hot cutting, hole punching, and texturing tools. This class will prioritize the safety of metalworking, good forging technique, and general best practices when in the blacksmith shop.
Intro to Blacksmithing: Leaf Wall Hook
This workshop is a general introduction to the craft of blacksmithing. You will learn how to hand forge hot steel with a hammer and anvil. We will also look at hot cutting, hole punching, and texturing tools. This class will prioritize the safety concerns of blacksmithing, good forging technique, and general best practices when in the blacksmith shop. The project is a sturdy wall hook with a leaf finial, finished with hot beeswax and oil.
Intermediate Blacksmithing: Gumbo Ladle
This workshop is a hands-on experience in the craft of blacksmithing and coppersmithing. The project is an elegant ladle, made from solid steel bar and copper sheet. You will learn how to forge red-hot steel with a hammer and anvil. The bowl of the ladle is worked to shape from a flat sheet, textured, riveted to the handle, and tinned to provide a food safe surface. This class will prioritize the safety of metalworking, good forging technique, and general best practices when in the blacksmith shop.
Gift Certificates - Our hands-on workshop experiences make a great gift! Give someone special a unique opportunity to explore an artisanal craft with a practiced blacksmith. See below for gift certificate options.
Are you interested in taking a blacksmithing class? If you will be in the New Orleans area, please use the form below and I will let you know when and where you can try your hand at the anvil. I plan on offering a range of workshops for different skill levels and open forge time for qualified students.