Blacksmithing & bladesmithing courses

Vlakvark Forge has re-opened with limited attendee numbers and Social Distancing. These restrictions will apply until the Government advises that they can be relaxed. Can you handle the heat? Want to experience what it takes to make your own knife? Under the tutelage of Graham Clarke you will learn to make a fully useable carbon steel knife. During your day you will: * Shape your knife using a gas forge, hammer, anvil. * Normalise your blade in the gas forge * Grind your blade to it's near finished shape *...

Due to the Coronavirus emergency, all our courses for Spring/Summer 2020 have been postponed - we're very grateful to all the affected students who have opted to take their course later, when it is safe to do so. We are happy to receive enquiries for bookings in 2021, but are not accepting paid bookings at this stage. Our 'B' course is led by Ambrose Burne, who introduces his students to the basic operations with some set pieces; then it becomes more design-based and experimental, with an exploration of the students'...

Due to the Coronavirus emergency, all our courses for Spring/Summer 2020 have been postponed - we're very grateful to all the affected students who have opted to take their course later, when it is safe to do so. We are happy to receive enquiries for bookings in 2021. The 'O' course is led by Peat Oberon, award-winning blacksmith, and inspiring and sympathetic teacher; assisted by Eamonn Kenward. The courses are suitable for absolute beginners, male or female, from the age of about 14 upwards; or for metalworkers seeking to gain...

Please Note : Knife Making is not permitted to under 18 year olds unless attending with adult. Our new course by popular request. The two day chef's style knife course is designed for beginners that have no or little experience in metalwork or blacksmithing. The course starts with a quick safety talk and a cup of coffee. The material we will be using will be from spring steel which has a greater carbon content, these are the properties that make it more suitable to being hardened to ensure it keeps...

'Strike while the iron's hot' and get sweaty behind a roaring fire to sound of ringing anvils ..... We have a spacious purpose built workshop with its own snack room and bathroom. We offer a wide range of experience days to cater for groups up to twelve, of any ability and will provide tutors to fit your group size so whether you want to come on your own, with a loved one, or as a larger group such as a stag or hen do or team building with colleagues, then...