Subject: Woodworking Skill Level: All Levels Duration: September 22-28 Cost: $792 + $65 materials fee Coopering is the ancient art of making wooden vessels such as barrels, butter churns, buckets, canteens, pitchers, piggins, etc. using only wood for staves and wood white oak bands with no nails or glue. Learn how to use the […]
2-Week Course Following the tradition of Francis Whitaker, students will have the opportunity to focus on fine ornamental iron work for a personal, predesigned project. In addition to working on individual projects, students will share and learn from the techniques used in their fellow classmate’s work. Students must be able to perform a dropped-tongs forge weld, make upset square corners, and freehand scrolls. Predesigned projects must be submitted to instructors before class begins. Please […]
Build a knife by applying only forging techniques and construction processes used by smiths of old. We will emphasize using hammer skills to move and shape hot metal and shaping and surfacing with files. Also, learn about hardening and tempering by heat, color and eye, using hand tools to construct and rivet wooden handles. Finish […]
Take your first steps towards the forge! First, learn how to maintain a coal fire and practice points discipline for hammering. Then, achieve good, clean hammer control and progress to tool making. Forge, harden, and temper your own punches, chisels, and tongs while learning about steel. Watch your skills develop as you use tools you’ve […]
Learn the basics of building and maintaining a fire, as well as hammer control, and start making small projects-hooks, leaves, and decorative pieces. With your foundational skills in hand, progress to larger items including fire pokers and shovels. Work with several types of forge welds and unravel the mystery of tempering. By the end of […]
Come enjoy heating and beating metal! Start with the basics—fire management, hammer control, and fundamental forging skills—by making hooks and other household items. Students can undertake more advanced projects suited to their experience and interests. Bring project ideas or be inspired by functional and sculptural concepts presented in class. Beginning and intermediate students are welcome. Instructor: John Zeigler & Lance Zeigler Skill […]
Every project requires tools. You even need tools to make tools! Cover the basics of tool making and heat treating while crafting hammers, tongs, chisels, and more. Discuss how these pieces can be altered and tweaked to enhance your experience. Feel the satisfaction and reward of using your own forged tools and customize your work […]
Subject: Woodworking Cost: $576 + $25 materials fee Skill Level: All Levels Do you have well-used or heirloom hand planes or chisels in need of restoration? Learn the skills to assess those classic tools and bring them back to life. Bring a tool or two from your collection and restore them to their former […]
Learn to forge essential woodworking tools including chisels, drawknives, a small carving knife, and a carving axe, if time permits. Learn to heat treat your tools for maximum strength and attach handles to each for utility and style. Prior forging experience is required. Skill Level: Intermediate, Advanced Duration: May 19-25th, 2024 Cost: $792 + $55-$90 […]
Discover the magic of moving hot metal as you make simple projects for your home and garden. Learn basic blacksmithing skills—everything from fire maintenance and hammer control to essential techniques—with ample time to explore, practice, and play. Individualized instruction will help you feel strong, confident, and comfortable in the shop. All levels welcome. Note: materials fee may exceed $100. Instructor: Caitlin […]
Join blacksmiths of all levels at the John C. Campbell Folk School to forge a fully functional axe! Axes: From Forge to Finished During this action-packed week, forge a fully functional axe, complete with a handle. Learn the foundational blacksmithing skills necessary to create a variety of axe styles (from the Viking era to early […]
Join other beginner blacksmiths at the John C. Campbell Folk School in their Techniques with a Twist Blacksmithing class! Start with the basics, from tapering and splitting to punching and scrolling, then concentrate on refining those techniques. Learn better ways to upset material, try a wild collage of twists, and more. Gain valuable information about […]