Create a unique and classically sophisticated house plaque using steel and brass. Students will shape sheet steel and brass though cutting and piercing to create a personalized contrasting layered design to reveal home address numbers or monogram. Chased decorative elements may also be added. Students will learn to use jewelry saws to cut accurate and intricate lettering, hand riveting, an introduction to steel chasing, and finishing techniques. Methods of designing to tools and processes will be discussed.

Class fee: $250

Materials fee: $50

Class size limited to 6

Brian took his first blacksmithing class in 2005 under local smith Richard Rightmyer to learn how to make his own woodworking tools. Captivated by the feel of hot metal under the hammer, Brian poured all his free time into advancing his smithing skills taking classes whenever he could. Brian began teaching blacksmithing and coppersmithing in 2012 and has demonstrated at many public events and conferences. Recently, he has focused on the art of copper chasing, finding the meticulous attention to detail it requires to be a form of meditation in motion. Brian is an electrical engineer by day and holds a 6th Degree black belt in Aikido. He finds many commonalities with the efficient body movements of martial arts and the proper ergonomics for blacksmithing and coppersmithing. Brian has blended the arts to create effective and safe hammering techniques for people of all sizes. s an engineer, he is fascinated by the science of blacksmithing, specifically the metallurgy that goes into tool making. He firmly believes that true learning happens when you are having fun.

Chasing is the art of using specialized hammers, punches, and chisels to emboss images into the surface of metal. From simple to complex, adding chased elements to a metal's surface softens and dignifies its appearance. This class will introduce you to the various tools and techniques to create images and patterns on any metal. You'll use these techniques to create a one of kind Reuleaux triangular vessel that can be used as a planter, vase, pencil holder or be an objet d'art on its own. A Reuleaux triangle is a curved triangular shape that has a constant width like a circle has, leading to a pleasing shape both visually and tactilely. Reuleaux polygons have endless uses in architecture and machine design. Other topics covered include annealing, work hardening, patination, and silver soldering.

This class is open a to all experience levels. Students with a meticulous eye for detail will love this class.

Student tips: Bring your glasses or best magnifying readers. Your noise cancelling earbuds or headphones can make many simultaneous hammers more pleasant.

Class will make use of hand tools, torches, and mild chemicals for cleaning and patination.

Class fee: $275

Materials fee: $75

Class size limited to 6

Brian took his first blacksmithing class in 2005 under local smith Richard Rightmyer to learn how to make his own woodworking tools. Captivated by the feel of hot metal under the hammer, Brian poured all his free time into advancing his smithing skills taking classes whenever he could. Brian began teaching blacksmithing and coppersmithing in 2012 and has demonstrated at many public events and conferences. Recently, he has focused on the art of copper chasing, finding the meticulous attention to detail it requires to be a form of meditation in motion. Brian is an electrical engineer by day and holds a 6th Degree black belt in Aikido. He finds many commonalities with the efficient body movements of martial arts and the proper ergonomics for blacksmithing and coppersmithing. Brian has blended the arts to create effective and safe hammering techniques for people of all sizes. s an engineer, he is fascinated by the science of blacksmithing, specifically the metallurgy that goes into tool making. He firmly believes that true learning happens when you are having fun.

Join ABS Master Blacksmith, Scott McGhee, in this class to make a hunting knife. In this 3-day class, students will create an 8.75-inch-long hunting knife with a four inch blade. Starting with a section of flat steel bar, the class will cover forging, grinding, heat treatment, handle fitment, and finishing techniques. Students will leave with a finished, full-tang blade.

This class is physically demanding, and the student is encouraged to be

familiar with blacksmithing or metalworking environment. Beginner blacksmithing

experience is recommended but not required.

Class fee $500

Material fee $50

Must bring:

Work boots/shoes. No sneakers

Long pants, no shorts

Clothing must be cotton/denim/wool, no synthetics

Comfortable safety glasses (we have extra on hand)

Hearing protection (we have extra on hand)

Notepad

Water Bottle

E. Scott McGhee is an ABS Master Bladesmith who lives and works in central North Carolina. Scott learned the art of blacksmithing at Penland School of Crafts at the age of 17 and has played at a coal-fired forge on and off since 1981. In August of 2009, Scott built a gas-fired forge and began bladesmithing in earnest. He obtained American Bladesmith Society Journeyman Certification in 2012, his ABS Mastersmith Certification in 2016, and has been a full-time maker since 2014. In addition to making knives, Scott is an ABS Master Bladesmithing Instructor and teaches knife making at various schools around the country, as well as in his home shop.

There is no satisfaction like making something with tools that you've made. This workshop will focus on forging functional tools for use in the woodshop. Students will start by learning about appropriate steels and how to process them to bring out the desired qualities in hand tools such as durability, edge retention, and sharpenability. Students will then forge a large scorp for chairs an bowls and a some smaller scorps for detail carving. Tools will be forged, filed, and rough ground prior to heat treat. After heat treating tools will be finish ground and sharpened as time allows.

This class is open a to all experience levels but prior forging experience is recommended. This is an interactive, hands on course where you will be forging tough materials. Some project modifications may be made for those with less experience. Class will make use of hand and some power tools (grinders).

Class fee: $275

Materials fee: $50

Class size limited to 6

Brian took his first blacksmithing class in 2005 under local smith Richard Rightmyer to learn how to make his own woodworking tools. Captivated by the feel of hot metal under the hammer, Brian poured all his free time into advancing his smithing skills taking classes whenever he could. Brian began teaching blacksmithing and coppersmithing in 2012 and has demonstrated at many public events and conferences. Recently, he has focused on the art of copper chasing, finding the meticulous attention to detail it requires to be a form of meditation in motion. Brian is an electrical engineer by day and holds a 6th Degree black belt in Aikido. He finds many commonalities with the efficient body movements of martial arts and the proper ergonomics for blacksmithing and coppersmithing. Brian has blended the arts to create effective and safe hammering techniques for people of all sizes. s an engineer, he is fascinated by the science of blacksmithing, specifically the metallurgy that goes into tool making. He firmly believes that true learning happens when you are having fun.

In this class, students will create a 6-7" European-style chef knife. Starting with a section of flat 1080 steel bar, the class will cover forging, grinding, heat treatment, handle fitment and finishing techniques. Students will leave with a finished, hidden tang blade ready to take home and prep a meal. There will be opportunities for additional forging as time allows. Beginner blacksmithing experience is strongly recommended but not required.

Course fee: $500

Materials fee: $50

Class size limited to 6

Zach is a welder by trade with experience in a wide range of industries. Based in rural NY, he is an ABS bladesmith who creates custom, heirloom-quality, hand forged kitchen cutlery and edged tools. He strives to blend traditional and modern techniques and materials to create quality tools to be used for decades in the kitchen. After teaching welding for Monroe Community College and at the Arc + Flame Center for seven years, Zach now runs his own company where, in addition to blades, he manufactures tooling and machines for blacksmiths and metalworkers. He is passionate about collaborating with other local artisans, makers, and tradespeople. In his classes, Zach seeks to inspire students by sharing the functional artistry of modern bladesmithing. https://tarbellindustries.com/