Classes

Come and forge red hot steel with an experienced blacksmith. I will teach you how to move and shape metal to make functional items that you can take home. Making your own hand forged fire poker or herb chopper is an excellent experience and you can proudly show all your friends what you made.

Absolutely, the introduction classes are perfect for someone with no experience. I will teach you how to swing a hammer and forge hot steel in a safe environment

Then you will work at your own pace on your project and I will always be available to answer any questions.

Yes – all classes are project-based so you will make at least one, or not more, items during your class. You will take them home and amaze your family and friends with your hand forged ironwork.

All participants must be over the age of 18 for insurance purposes.

All classes start with a safety briefing and everyone gets some safety glasses and some hearing protection.

Once the forges are lit and the health and safety chat is finished, we will get straight down to the business of hammering some hot steel. The classes are fully hands on and you will learn the basic principles of blacksmithing. Everything you make, you will take home with you.

I will demonstrate how to make the first stage of the project and show you the techniques involved.

Then you will work at your own pace on your project and I will always be available to answer any questions.

We will provide:

□ All necessary equipment and supplies

□ Safety glasses (provided, but you may wish to bring your own)

□ Hearing protection (provided, but you may wish to bring your own)

□ Water, soda, coffee, tea, and snacks are provided as it’s thirsty work

You need to bring/wear:

□ Cotton clothing (no nylon or fleece)
□ Long pants
□ Dress in layers as you will get very warm hammering steel
□ Closed toe shoes (boots preferred) 
□ You may bring your own hammers/tools if you have them

Note about the correct clothes to wear:

NO SYNTHETIC MATERIALS like lycra, spandex, nylon, and polyester – these materials don’t stand up to high temperatures and sparks. They melt almost immediately when they come into contact with fire and hot surfaces. To avoid injury, I always encourage students to avoid synthetics if at all possible.

WEAR NATURAL FIBERS like cotton shirts, jeans, or canvas pants. They’re not fireproof but they help.

Classes are held in a working blacksmith shop in Kirkville NY, about 20 minutes east of Syracuse NY, and easily accessible from I-81 and the New York Thruway I-90.

This class will take place in The British Blacksmith forge located at 
8477 Pools Brook Road
Kirkville NY 13082

The shop is fully equipped for classes and has several anvils and forges so everyone has lots of hammer time.

In the summer months, we have the doors open or sometimes move the anvils outside.

I also offer private classes at your location and I can travel with a full blacksmith shop to your place of interest.

Some of the photos on this page are from classes that I teach at Clear Path for Veterans, a non-profit organization near Chittenango NY.

Yes, I offer private classes for up to 8 people.

These classes can be customized for you and special projects can be made. These events include:

• Bachelor and bachelorette parties
• Birthday parties
• Family events and reunions
• Corporate training events

Please email me at mark@TheBritishBlacksmith.com and we can discuss some options and make a special day for you and your friends. More details on the Private Classes page as well