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.
Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 2 weeks before the course starts. Start dates may be amended on request.
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.
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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 DafyddIncredibly 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 TomHi 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 GrahamBought 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 MarkI 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 GeorgeHaving 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 MarkWell, 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 SteveMyself 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, JamesCannot 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 PipI 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.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!