Anvil Forge reviews

Charlie Seaton reviewed: Copper and Iron Sculpture course

"On Thursday I did something very different and had the BEST day on the first copper and iron sculpture day! We started the day by discussing our ideas and what we wanted to make (My drawing abilities are awful but they understood what I was trying to draw! 😂). Every member of the team taught me with patience, explaining and teaching me every skill I needed to make my vision into a physical piece of art that I could then take home and treasure in my garden forever! Not only did I learn to hammer, shape, solder, watched welding and learnt basic blacksmith skills such as tool work and how to manage a gorge fire, every member of the team came together and helped me with parts of my project and the passion and enthusiasm these guys have for their art is infectious! I would highly recommend this course to everyone and can’t thank the team enough for a wonderful day! "

Neil Tonks reviewed: Make a chef's knife

"Full respect to John, Spencer, Bill, Aiden (and Pat for eating constantly!) Took this course as a 21st present for my Son, and brought along my Father for a tri-generational familial experience. It is not possible to rate this course, the brilliance of the chaps and the achieved results under their guidance, enough! Rejoice in whacking glowing hot metal with hammers, delight in dunking hot metal in oil, thrill in shaping wood and bemoan the aching shoulders with extensive filing and sharpening. The expert direction, encouragement and guidance from the chaps achieved the perfect balance of accuracy and succinctness, maximising the time to create with sufficient awareness of possible error or failure. We three achieved better results than expected, and the said results are available for use, and with indelible memories for hearty cheer for many years to come. Thank you, Friends."

Anvil Forge responded:

"Hi Neil thanks for the review. I think I am speaking for all of us when I say you were all a joy to teach. It is great when everyone has a good time as well as learning to the skills we have to offer , I will be putting Pat on a diet ! LOL. Unfortunately I had to leave early to do a site survey so didnt see the final results but the lads said you all did a great job , so one minor request can you send a picture over . Best wishes and hopefully I will see you all again. John"

Rod Carroll reviewed: Blacksmith Experience Day - Anvil Forge

"Completed a 2 Day dragon course and loved it. Everyone was friendly and helpful so I am looking forward to returning to make a garden sculpture. "

Sean reviewed: "Game of Thrones"...ish! : metalwork / blacksmithing workshop

"Great day, my husband was so happy with the sword he made and is considering going back. One downer though, it says pub lunch is provided so he didn't plan lunch but their informed him that they haven't been providing lunch for the past 4 years. Other than that, 5/5 stars"

Anvil Forge responded:

"Hi Really pleased you enjoyed the day. Sorry that I didnt update with website info re lunches , I hope you enjoyed the Hot pasty I went out to get you though Best wishes John"

Tom reviewed: Hand forged viking knife one day workshop

"I loved my day at Anvil Forge doing the Viking knife making day. We started off making a poker and then moved on to knife making. Only 2 of us in the group so lots of close guidance from our instructor, Spencer (who was excellent), and meant nothing felt rushed but also no waiting around. Really recommend this course, very pleased with the two pieces I made. Now, can I fit a forge in the garage..."

Lee davey reviewed: Knife Making and Bladesmith Classes: Hand-Forged Viking Knife

"Such a great team and learning experience. Spencer passed on a lot of knowledge on blade smithing. Well structured day with time spent well. Knife making was very enjoyable. Just to say thank you to the team."

David Allen reviewed: Knife Making and Bladesmith Classes: Hand-Forged Viking Knife

"Wonderful day at Anvil Metalworks on the Bladesmith Class forging a poker and Viking knife to bring home. Learnt about the effects of heat on the different metals and the use of various blacksmith tools in shaping, hardening, polishing and sharpening. All the staff were willing to help and give advice but special thanks to Spencer our instructor for the day who was so informative, patient, and ready to give guidance and help when things didn’t go to plan; but most of all he made it an enjoyable and fun experience. "

Paul coombes reviewed: "Game of Thrones"...ish! : metalwork / blacksmithing workshop

"Had a great time and the guy at anvil forge were very helpful and made everyone at ease"

Jenni reviewed: Parent and child blacksmithing

"My husband and son had an amazing time creating pokers and more on this course. The Forge were really helpful, they tried lots of different techniques and everything was well thought out and enjoyable. They will be back! "

Andy Myers reviewed: Blacksmith Experience Day - Anvil Forge

"Great day, friendly bunch of people. I was mostly taught by Paul who was excellent. When I get some more space I now feel I can start blacksmithing solo."

Caitlin Graham reviewed: Dragon Making: 2 Day Course

"Fantastic course! So much room for creativity, and was fun to learn new skills and not just be stuck in the office! The whole team were enthusiastic and helpful - you can really tell they are passionate about what they do and love to pass that on to others. I love my dragon, and already looking at other courses. Highly recommend! "

Anvil Forge responded:

"Hi Caitlin thanks for the review , I cant wait to see the dragon with the lovely glass wings. You are right we do love making all the funky unusual things here at Anvil Forge. I will see you in the new year for the wing fitting best wishes John"

David Zazzera reviewed: Dragon Making: 2 Day Course

"A little late on the review. I did this course back in March of this year. One of the most physically rewarding things I have done in my life. I can't help but have a smile when I look at my Metal Dragon standing proud in the back garden."

Andrew Ryan reviewed: Knife Making and Bladesmith Classes: Hand-Forged Viking Knife

"Excellent day, was well looked after and produced a good result at the end. Was a bit apprehensive doing this by myself but the staff were very accommodating and provided individual support. Only real negative is parking is limited, so can be a tight fit for space. "

Eleanor Connolly reviewed: Parent and child blacksmithing

"My 8 year old son and husband had a Parent & Child course. My son absolutely loved it and was able to get hands on across all the activities to build his sword. My husband enjoyed it too and both learned lots from the close coaching. Thanks for a great experience. "

Alex Robinson reviewed: Knife Making and Bladesmith Classes: Hand-Forged Viking Knife

"I got this as a birthday present for my 14-year old as he plans on studying blacksmithing, and it was a great experience for him. There were only 3 of us, and the instructor took the time to explain what we were doing and why, also the rest of the people in the forge came over and helped out and answered questions. It left an excellent impression on my son and confirmed that blacksmithing is indeed the career path for him."

Mike Newport reviewed: Knife Making and Bladesmith Classes: Hand-Forged Viking Knife

"I had an amazing day at the Anvil today. All the guys were so helpful and knowledgeable. Spencer, Aidan, Dan and John are all obviously very skilled and take great pride in their work. It was a great pleasure to see them at their craft. Spencer was a fantastic instructor taken me through the techniques and processes of working with different types of steel. I then made a one piece blacksmith/Viking knife using the skills I was taught. I would recommend giving this a go, to work with fire and steel is truly satisfying and to produce a knife that I am proud to own and use is a joy. "

Christian reviewed: Knife Making and Bladesmith Classes: Hand-Forged Viking Knife

"I had such a great time in the course and came away with a Viking knife that I’m genuinely proud of. I particularly enjoyed working between the forge and hammering on the anvil. Spencer was a brilliant instructor, he gave us a lot of independence but was still accessible for opinions and guidance. He was quick to tell me what I was doing right and constructive when explaining an error. I absolutely recommend to anyone interested. "

Anvil Forge responded:

"Hi Christian thanks for your comments , I will pass on the review to Spencer. I know he enjoys working with you all and he told me at the end of the day that he enjoyed the session as well. What is also really good is the feedback that we are doing it right for you guys ( trainees) and achieving the right mix of giving you the freedom but still keeping a close eye on you when needed . best wishes John"

Dorothea reviewed: Knife Making and Bladesmith Classes: Hand-Forged Viking Knife

"We had a really good time making knifes. Everybody was really friendly, the instructor was very patient and gave good instructions. Highly recommend the experience!"

Rhys reviewed: Hand forged viking knife one day workshop

"I would like to thank John and his team for an amazing experience, if you are unsure of what to expect, know that the team will really make you feel welcome and do all they can to help and instruct you to create a piece of work you are proud of. As someone who is not always at ease around new people, especially as I was on my own, they were really friendly, warm, funny and full of fascinating information about the work they do daily, igniting a real passion for me and I can’t wait to come back and learn more about this craft. Thank you and I look forward to seeing you again soon! "

Duncan R. reviewed: Hand forged viking knife one day workshop

"I had an amazing day with the team, living up to expectations and more. The day was run by Aiden and Spencer who were both excellent instructors and good fun to work with. I had Spencer helping me most of the day who was 10/10 and made the whole experience better - thank you for sharing your knowledge and some of your own work too. I would strongly recommend this to anyone and will be giving this a go myself in the coming months too. Thank you all! "

Anvil Forge responded:

"Hi Duncan Thanks for review , these mean a lot to all of us . I look forward to you coming in again and making another 'man blade' John"

Antonia and Baxter reviewed: Hand forged viking knife one day workshop

"Brilliant , thank you to Aidan, Spencer and John for your time, guidance and expertise. My son Baxter and I were completely immersed and were extremely happy with our take home tools, which have already been used successfully in the kitchen. Baxter will be back ! "

John Mitchison reviewed: Blacksmith Experience Day - Anvil Forge

"My son Jay and I came for a blacksmithing course last Saturday 15th October). I just wanted to let you know we had a really great time. It was the first time in a forge for both of us and we were both looking forward to it. we were not disappointed, we both got the chance to make a knife and a poker, both of which will be used by us in the future. I wanted to say a special thank you to Spencer and Phil, they were fantastic! They were incredibly helpful, patient, knowledgeable and funny. They could explain things really clearly, they were able to judge all the different abilities of the group. Spencer could read my son Jay (13) really well and was able to offer him just the right level of support at the right time - a real skill for someone teaching mixed groups. Thanks again for a great day Best wishes John"

P & J Knights reviewed: Blacksmith Experience Day - Anvil Forge

"Great day at the forge with John and his team. Relaxed, informal and thoroughly enjoyable. We came home with a beautiful garden ornament which we will treasure as we made it together as a couple. Will definitely be back for another go. Thanks John"

David Hepburn reviewed: Blacksmith Experience Day - Anvil Forge

"5 stars all the way. Thanks to John, Aidan and Spencer. All great teachers who had the right balance of enthusiasm, skill, passion for their work. All of this came across in a very friendly and inclusive manner. I have no problem in recommending this day at Anvil Forge as I thoroughly enjoyed it through out. I came away with having made a poker, viking knife and managed to squeeze in a dragonfly in my day. I was amazed by how much knowledge all the guys had and the science behind knife making particularly was mind blowing. I now have so many projects I want to make and hope to get back to make a chef's knife and possibly a hunting knife in the not too distant future. Again thanks to all of you at Anvil Forge, I left with a great sense of pride in what you guys helped me achieve. 5+++ stars "

John Laws reviewed: Blacksmith Experience Day - Anvil Forge

"Absolutely brilliant. Going into the forge is entering another world and the skill that the people working there exhibit is fantastic. For a day we felt the heat, struck the metal, smelt the furnace and generated memories."