Workshops

Blacksmithing Fundamentals with Tony Stewart

Session 1, June 5 through June 9 (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 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

Mosaic Damascus Chef's Knives with Jordan LaMothe

Session 2, June 12 through June 23 (two weeks)

In the kitchen, a well-designed, attractive knife is both a visual centerpiece in the knife block and on the cutting board, and an indispensable tool for processing raw ingredients into nourishing food. In this intensive, two-week class, students will learn to make kitchen knives with pattern-welded, or Damascus steel blades.

In the first three days of class, each student will produce their own billet of Damascus steel, forge welding two different alloys of steel into complex patterns at high heat under a power hammer. Students will then spend the remainder of the class crafting chef knives from their own patterned steel with hidden tangs and integral bolsters. Students will learn to forge, grind, and heat treat their knife blades; shape elegant, comfortable handles; and apply fine finishes to every surface of their pieces. Special attention will be given to the cutting geometry and handle ergonomics that make for high-performance kitchen knives. Each student should expect to leave class with a finished pattern-welded chef knife as well as extra pattern-welded material for further projects.

While this class does not require any base level of blacksmithing or knife-making knowledge, some experience with crafts or design will help a student to make the most of it. Making knives involves both hard, physical work and careful attention to detail — a combination that is particularly rewarding when you create a piece of edged art that will last for decades of use.

Skill level: Intermediate to Advanced

Blacksmith’s Tools with Jeffrey Funk

Session 3, June 26 through July 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 technique 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.

Hand Tools for Farm and Garden with Jeffrey Funk

Session 4, July 10 through July 21 (two weeks)

In this class participants will begin by forging a variety of tools for working the earth, including hoes, trowels, and forks. From there, students will be free to explore other related tools such as sickles, scythes, and specialty tools of interest to each individual. Prior experience in blacksmithing will be a definite asset for participants in this class however, the basic techniques of forging and heat-treating tools will be thoroughly covered.

Skill level: Basic through Advanced

American Axes with Jeffrey Funk

Session 5, July 24 through August 4 (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 lumberman 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 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

Forged Iron Connections with Monica Coyne

Session 6, August 7 through August 18 (two weeks)

This class will involve a deep exploration into the practice of forging unique joinery in forged iron. It will begin with study of and experiment with traditional forged joinery, and then move into innovation inspired by different mediums and cultures. Students will be taught how to forge a dovetail joint and other woodworking-style joints in steel. The focus will be on creativity and structure, with discussion of how to apply the ideas to both architectural and sculptural work. Be prepared to spend two weeks immersed in both design and forging with the guidance of a truly remarkable American artist.

Skill level: Intermediate to Advanced

Tools for Timber Framing and Carpentry with Jeffrey Funk

Session 7, August 21 through September 1 (two weeks)

This class will center on the forging of hand tools used in the timber framing trade and related traditional carpentry. It will feature demonstrations of a wide variety of tools, including: log dogs, simple dividers, froes, framing chisels, mortising chisels, slicks, foot adzes, and several types of axes. Students will choose which tools they make in particular according to interest and ability. There will be time allotted for making handles as well as actually using the tools we make. Like other workshops in this season’s offerings, students will have the satisfaction of taking raw steel and completely transforming it into tools that can be expected to last a lifetime.

Skill level: Intermediate to Advanced