Workshops

Blacksmith’s Tools with Jeffrey Funk

Session 1, May 27 through June 7 (two weeks)

This workshop has grown to become a foundational class at the New Agrarian School. The design, forging, heat treating, and use of blacksmith’s tools of all types will be explored, with emphasis on both function and aesthetics. Participants will make a variety of hammers, tongs, punches, chisels, and other tools of interest to each individual. In addition to the practical value of forging one’s own tools, everything made in this class emphasizes good forging techniques that can be applied to forging of all kinds, whether functional or sculptural. Students can expect to leave with a variety of basic tools and the knowledge of how to make more.

Skill level: Intermediate to Advanced

Less experienced folks will be admitted with the consent of the instructor.

Blacksmithing Fundamentals with Tony Stewart

Session 2, June 10 through June 14 (one week)

This class is designed for people with little or no experience in blacksmithing. We’ll cover the basic theory and practice in the craft, introductory metallurgy, and basic tool design and use. Each day will involve demonstrations of basic techniques and projects, with most of the time spent with students working on projects that involve the practice of the foundational techniques. We’ll learn how to draw out material, square and round it effectively, upset it, make basic joints, punch and drift holes, and elementary forge welding. Students can do personal work based on the demonstrations and are also encouraged to come up with ideas of things they would like to make. This class will prepare students with less experience for the intermediate classes to follow.

Skill level: Basic

Smelting and Beyond with Nick Tomlin and Eric Dennis

Session 3, June 17 through June 28 (two weeks)

This workshop will explore the construction and operation of three types of Iron-producing furnaces: the Bloomery, Catalan Forge and Finery. From the dawn of iron metallurgy and into the centuries before the Industrial Revolution, these furnaces provided Iron and Steel for the instruments, ornaments, suits of armor and clocks that humanity has preserved from the Middle Ages. Over the course of two weeks we will build and fire each of the furnace types.

The Bloomery and Catalan Forge smelt Wrought Iron from mineral Iron ore. The Finery will be employed to re-melt and refine the Iron. We will also use the Finery to melt down Cast Iron and lower the carbon content to make Steel. Our fuel will be charcoal, made on-site using the School’s sophisticated charcoal retort. The class promises a deep dive into Iron-making techniques used by our ancestors, as a living process and way of thinking. Students will be encouraged to use the Iron and Steel produced and forge objects to take home.

Previous experience is not necessary, but please be advised that this is a labor-intensive process from another time, and could change the way you look at modern Steel.

Skill level: Basic through Advanced

American Axes with Jeffrey Funk

Session 4, July 1 through July 12 (two weeks)

This class will explore the history, design, forging, and use of axes for felling timber and working wood. Before the advent of the chainsaw spelled the end of the axe as a primary tool for felling trees in America, this ancient tool reached its most effective forms for use by both the woodsman and the carpenter. We will focus on good geometry and metallurgy to create tools that are both beautiful and practical. A variety of forms will be demonstrated including a folded wrought iron single-bitted axe, a classic Northwest style double-bitted axe from one piece, several single-bitted axes forged from one piece, and if time allows, a broad axe. Students can expect to make three to five axes in the class. While the emphasis will be on forging, grinding, and heat treating the tools, there will be time to hang handles on some of them and demonstrate their use in the school wood lot.

Skill level: Intermediate to Advanced

Advanced Integral Mosaic Chef Knives with Salem Straub

Session 5, July 15 through July 26 (two weeks)

The kitchen knives we make will be of the integral- forge welded or forged bolster type, in carbon mosaic pattern-welded steel with a high-contrast etch. They'll feature hidden through-tang construction, with added bolt-tang style optional. Heirloom fitment is planned. Blade grinds will be hybrid flat/convex, or of compound “S” type. Handles can be western or Japanese style.
Visit Salem’s website, www.prometheanknives.com, to see the extraordinary knives he makes. 

Skill level: Basic through Advanced

Blacksmithing Fundamentals with Tony Stewart

Session 6, July 29 through August 2 (one week)

This class is designed for people with little or no experience in blacksmithing. We’ll cover the basic theory and practice in the craft, introductory metallurgy, and basic tool design and use. Each day will involve demonstrations of basic techniques and projects, with most of the time spent with students working on projects that involve the practice of the foundational techniques. We’ll learn how to draw out material, square and round it effectively, upset it, make basic joints, punch and drift holes, and elementary forge welding. Students can do personal work based on the demonstrations and are also encouraged to come up with ideas of things they would like to make. This class will prepare students with less experience for the intermediate classes to follow.

Skill level: Basic

Beginning Blacksmith with Shawn Lovell

Session 7, August 5 through August 16 (two weeks)

Try blacksmithing for the first time or brush up on your skills in this basic blacksmithing class. Students will be guided through a series of exercises that are designed to teach the language of forging and build your confidence working with hot metal. As you grow more confident, we will progress to making useful items for the home with emphasis on forged kitchen utensils in steel and bronze. You can also work on a project of your own design appropriate to your skill level.

Skill level: Basic

Carpenter's Tools with Jeffrey Funk

Session 8, August 19 through August 30 (two weeks)

This workshop will focus on the forging and heat treating of practical tools for traditional carpentry and timber framing.  Projects will include framing chisels, mortising chisels, slicks, foot adzes, froes, and several types of axes, along with special tools of interest to individual students.  Materials used will include O2, 4140, wrought iron, and 5160. There will be time to make handles for some of the tools forged.  Using traditional techniques, students will have the satisfaction of taking raw steel and transforming it into tools that can be expected to last a lifetime.

Skill level: Intermediate to Advanced