Forged chef's knife course
About the Course
Classes are held in my workshop in Southampton. Starting time 9am until 5pm (approx). Maximum of 2 students per course. After initial safety talk/workshop induction, we will discuss blade options you can make. There are a couple of styles you can chose from.
On day one - heating blade in gas forge, hammering the blade at the anvil to basic shape/profile, normalise blade, grinding blade to shape and heat treating blade and any final grinding. Day two - choose wood for handle, drilling hole for tang, cutting and sanding your handle to shape, gluing handle to blade and final sharpening. You will leave with your finished knife in a Cordura knife case.
Maximum of two students on any course.
If you will be redeeming a CraftCourses gift voucher on this course, the voucher code must be provided at the point of booking.
What's included in the price?
Tea, coffee and biscuits on hand as we know forging is thirsty work.
All materials and tools needed plus leather aprons, gloves, hearing protection, safety glasses and any respiratory equipment will be supplied.
You will need to wear warm suitable clothes; long trousers, long sleeve top (preferably cotton) and robust leather shoes. No shorts of flip flops please, admittedly not much of an issue during winter but you know what we get like when there's a bit of sun on show.
Please bring your own packed lunch.
Contact
Steve Nowacki at White Tiger KnivesRegents Park
Southampton
Hampshire
SO15 4LD
This craft course provider has been awarded Platinum status for receiving 50 or more 5 star ratings from previous students.
The Students' Choice award ensures that course providers get recognised for their efforts in the teaching and practice of UK craft.
They also allow tutors to gain valuable feedback on their courses and for new students to find the course that's right for them.
Suitable for
- Adults
- Engagement, birthdays & anniversaries
- Intermediate level
- Public transport
- Residential
- Seniors
- Suitable for beginners
- UK Holiday
Available as a gift
Learn about gift vouchersReviews
2 day chef's knife course.
Was given the option of three shapes : Chef's knife, Santoku (my choice) or Nakiri.
Started from pre-cut blanks which made the actual forging quicker than expected (hour or so).
Although Stephen did a few parts (quenching, handle fitting, final sharpening) all the creative choices were mine. Those included choosing shape, patterning, polished or not, wood for handle and shape of handle. I get he did the mentioned parts to give me the best result, although I would have liked to do the quench.
1st Day - forging knife shape, grinding, quenching
2nd Day - making the handle, sharpening
Well enjoyed 2 days, very proud of my knife.
(Also given a nice carrying pouch to take it home)
Response from White Tiger Knives:
Hi DafyddThank you very much for your review. It shows basically how the two days unfold and some of the processes involved in the making of the chef's knife. As you stated I do undertake certain production processes during the day and that is only because of the time limitations we face on the course days. As I say on day one, our biggest enemy is time and I want every student to go home with the best possible knife they can make in the time available. You have given me some food for thought though regards the quenching process.
ATB
Steve
Incredibly fun, insightful and detailed presentation. Steve is a career metal worker with true passion for the craft of bladesmithing. Be fussy, ask questions, or just chill and enjoy the ride. Either way, you'll end up with the knife of your dreams. Day 1 metal. Day 2 wood. In between go out for a beer, food and stay local, plenty of choice.
Rugged beauty. Cheers mate. Tom & Graeme
Response from White Tiger Knives:
Hi TomThank you for this great review. It's always hard to gauge how people view their day and what they're able to make while I'm demonstrating/helping them in the shop, but I think you put it rather succinctly. I'm very glad that you both enjoyed your two days with me so much.
ATB
Steve
Hi Steve,
Thanks for a great 2 days forging and knife making 👍
Top stuff, great teaching, chilled atmosphere, great environment for learning and good company 👍
Steve definitely knows his stuff which makes the course so interesting.
All in all a great 2 days and money well spent 👍
Response from White Tiger Knives:
Hi GrahamThank you very much for your review. It's great to get feedback from students on their courses days and see what I'm doing from someone elses perspective. It was a great, full on and hot two days.
ATB
Steve
Bought as a gift for me. I was looking forward to the course but it exceeded my expectations.
I did the two day chef's knife course and the level of knowledge and skill imparted by Steve as he takes you through the blade and handle construction are fantastic. You get a real chance to be hands on and be involved in the creation of a unique piece.
I would add the same as other reviews, Steve is an excellent and patient teacher and the workshop atmosphere is relaxed but focused.
It is definitely something that I will be doing again, and has definitely given me food for thought for other blades.
Thanks again!
Response from White Tiger Knives:
Good morning MarkIt was a full on two days that produced a beautiful Nakiri. Your choice of the hawthorn for the handle was perfect and topped off your beautifully crafted high carbon steel blade. I'm really pleased that you're so happy with the knife you made.
ATB
Steve
I went for my one day knife making course today and can’t express enough thanks to Steve for making the day so great.
He is just so massively knowledgable and passionate about what he does. This is shown through how much care and effort he puts into every aspect of the day.
I’m so happy I made the trip down and now have a one of a kind blade to show for it.
I will 100% be booking in another course this year and look forward to having another opportunity to make an amazing knife.
Thank you Steve, you are master of your craft.
Response from White Tiger Knives:
Hi GeorgeThank you very much for your kind words. I really do appreciate every student taking the time to review their course experience with me and it is very gratifying to know how much you enjoyed your day. Let's not forget how hard you worked and the effort you put in to produce such a lovely knife in a day. I look forward to our next outing in the shop.
ATB
Steve
Having previously meet Steve on another course, I was desperate to travel to Southampton and work with him again. What can be said, he is a true craftsman and professional.
The two days went by extremely quickly, the course was first and foremost enjoyable, the instruction was professional and kept at a pace that I could follow and produce something I am extremely proud to say I made. His eye for detail helps you make a blade that will hold its own against anything you can buy in the shops.
If you are thinking about doing a course I can't recommend Steve highly enough, I will be back again to make another blade.
Thanks,
Mark
Response from White Tiger Knives:
Hi MarkIt's very gratifying to know how much you enjoyed your two day course with me. You should be very proud with how your chefs knife turned out. With the addition of the octagonal holly handle, no small feat in it's self, that you made for her it definitely will hold it's own against any factory made piece and I can guarantee will out perform all of them. I look forward to our next session in the shop and to see what we can create there.
ATB
Steve
Well, where do i start? This course is great and very interesting. Steve is a top bloke and is a great teacher of this art. I would recommend White Tiger Knives (Steve) for either course. His workshop is equipped with the necessary tools inc a kettle & biscuits.
You will thoroughly enjoy this course, I know I will be back to build on my knowledge on the future. Thanks again Steve
Response from White Tiger Knives:
Hi SteveThank you for your comments about your two day knife course with me. You created a beautiful Santoku and I know it'll serve you well. From our conversations over the two days I could see you've become a bit of a lost cause as far as bladesmithing is concerned. You've been bitten and there's no turning back now.
ATB
Steve
White Tiger Knives
Myself and a friend completed this course just over a month ago and it was truly excellent! Steve is a great bloke and an extremely knowledgable teacher. The knives we made were of top quality and are (still!) incredibly sharp!
I would highly recommend this course to anyone with even the slightest interest in forging or chef's knives!
Thanks for the course,
Ben and James :)
Response from White Tiger Knives:
Ben, JamesIt was a total pleasure to have you both on the two day course. The knives you created were beautiful and you both should be very proud of how they turned out.
Kind regards
Steve
Cannot rate this course highly enough.
Two professional chefs, spent two fantastic days with Steve, making two beautiful knives.
Steve's endless passion, skill and patience made the time so enjoyable and the knives we made are truly unique.
If you are considering this course, don't hesitate, you won't regret it.
Many thanks Steve and the chances are high that I will see you again soon for another knife adventure!
Response from White Tiger Knives:
Hi PipThank you very much for choosing to come on my two day chefs knife course. Yourself and Dale worked really hard, especially on the last day as we worked right through lunch so we could complete both of your knives. It's not a surprise really as you are both used to working in high pressure environments, given your backgrounds as professional executive chefs. I know your knives will give you a life time of service and it was a pleasure to help you both create them.
I took the two day forging a chefs knife course with Steve in his brilliant newly built workshop. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and walked away with a beautiful and functional tool that will be my forever go to knife in my kitchen. Steve is an incredible teacher and knows his craft. His passion about bladesmithing shows in everything he does and can be seen in his creations, including his pupils end products. As I said, I walked away with skills, knowledge and a top quality blade that will be in my kitchen for the rest of my life. Thank you very very much Steve!
Response from White Tiger Knives:
Thank you Tom for your kind words and for sending me the video of you using your knife in the kitchen, your man blade certainly makes the cut.Kind regards
Steve
Best bladesmith course I've ever done, and a privilege to have individual tuition from award winning Master Bladesmith Steve Nowacki, new novices just starting their bladesmithing journey, or those with experience, will get a great deal from this course, not to mention walking away from the course with a fully functional forged and anvil crafted, hardened, tempered, buffed, razor sharpened blade with a quality handle made from first rate materials all crafted, shaped and polished by your own hands (with Steve's expert guidance every step of the way), your own personal knife that will last a lifetime.
Steve paid particular attention to the type of blade I wanted to craft, and prepared the perfect template to achieve my bespoke request, doesn’t get more unique then that :)
Workshop was very well laid out and spacious, and included every piece of kit and powertool a bladesmith could ever dream of, and then some ontop! I felt like I was a kid in a sweetshop :)
Steve was very welcoming and we had great fun over the 2 days of this highly recommended experience.
This course was fantastic. Having completed my one day taster the previous week and enjoying creating a small utility blade, I wanted to try this more ambitious 2 day course and make my own chef's knife. I showed my design to Steve and we set to work. Under his expert eye and having total confidence in everything he said, I hot forged and shaped the blade, then we heat treated and tempered the blade and ground the bevels. day 2 was spent finishing the blade and making and fitting the handle. It was hard work and full on but the passion and enthusiasm that comes from Steve just made it so enjoyable. I was totally blown away by the beautiful knife I made.
Thank you SO MUCH Steve!