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This was easily the best blacksmith course I have done (and I have done a few!). The emphasis was definitely on developing skills rather than just completing a finished object (although I was very pleased with my products) as can be found on other courses.
Bob is a great teacher, giving you guidance and advice but also leaving you time to work on your skills, and most importantly a desire to do it again and become even better.
John Goodwin - - #23015
Myself and my two sons, had a great day on the course, which was perfectly ran by Bob, who is a real character. We had lots of laughs, and learnt an awful lot, thanks to Bob's guidance, and we had a brilliant lunch with him at the local dine-in chip shop, which I thoroughly recommend.
We made a boot scraper, a set of Belfast sink brackets, and Dan’s unique long handled shoe horn!!
I can’t recommend the course enough, plus we stayed overnight at The Fleece pub nearby which was brilliant as well.
Cheers again Bob....!
Gary O’Brien - - #22564
I had a fantastic day with Colin! He is friendly, patient and matter of fact. I was able to observe how to complete each stage of making my poker/ash scraper and hook and at the end of each stage/demo the reins were handed over to me to make it happen. It was great to see and take part in all manner of techniques and tool use. I felt absolutely involved in the process from design to completion. Couldn't be happier and very, very much recommend Colin's courses. Inspiring.
Penny Fouracre - - #21905
Fantastic day. Hard work, taught basic skills and then made our door foot scraper.
Stephen - - #21847
My friends and family chipped in to send me and a friend on this course after they noticed that I happened to be watching a lot of Forged in Fire lately and it was well worth the money. Working as a machine fitter who earns a living from a workshop, I had a small degree of confidence that I'd be going home with something that resembled a Viking kitchen knife and a functional bottle opener. This definitely would not have happened without Colin's guidance and wealth of experience and thanks to him the items came out better than I expected for a first timer.
The experience was both enjoyable and educational which leaves you finishing the day with a sense of accomplishment (I had to get some beer on the way home to test the bottle opener). Colin taught us how to properly heat steel, work it using a wide range of different methods, while also explaining what colours to look out for, how to treat the steel and how to rectify any mistakes using the best possible techniques. Although Colin kept us supervised to make sure we weren't about to ruin our work, once you work yourself into a rhythm you also get a liberating sense of independence while working on your project.
Overall, a brilliant day out, taught by a very experienced and down to earth guy. I would love to go back to make something else in the future and would recommend this course to anyone who has an interest in trying their hand at blacksmithing.
Scott McKenna - - #21649
Went last week, had a great time with Bob and learnt alot. One of the things I made was a bottle opener, which I've used frequently since.
Geoff - - #20629
Completed a day with Bob last week. He is a knowledgeable and patient teacher. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would definitely do it again. Excellent course.
Andy - - #19974
absolutely amazing time, been a couple of times now, with both Colin and Bob and they are both patient and good teachers
Jack Cook - - #19878
I bought my boyfriend and dad a blacksmithing day with Colin and it exceeded all expectation! They both had the best day and came away with two works of art each. I definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a great day out or as a gift idea.
They now both want to learn more so I am sure we will be back!
Thank you :)
Jade Carr - - #19299
Many thanks to Colin for our fun and insightful day. Both my brother and I spent the day under Colin’s master supervision. Colin taylored the course to our interests and ability, teaching us some basic techniques in the morning which we untilised in the afternoon for a mini project. Colin taught in a patient and flexible way making breaking all the steps of the process down.m. The workshop is in a nice setting with a tasty eat in Fish and chip shop 5 minutes down the road.
If you have any interest in this skilled art then Colin is offers a great course and you get to take home some nice own made survenoirs.
Tim & Chris Barlow - - #19284
I booked this course as i wanted to get in to blacksmithing as a hobby, and i am glad i did.
Bob has loads of patience and talks through the process, step by step in a calm manner. I made a set of tongs to carry on my blacksmithijg journey.
Cheers Bob
Ps fish and chips are good too.
Daniel Mobbs - - #19247
This is the second time I have been on a coursewith bob .I enjoyed it so much the first time I went away and bought myself a forge and anvil.After a year on my own I am producing some nicework .I have just had a day with bob learning the basics in the art of making horse shoes , there is a lot involved in just making one shoe , but with bobs patience and guidance, by the end of the dayI was getting the just of it .
I can’t recommend this course enough you will thoroughly enjoy it guaranteed .
Martin shep - - #19178
I started the day as a complete beginner but Colin took me through the basics and I managed to complete four items in a busy day at the forge.
Colin has a collection of photographs showing various items that you can make but he is happy to accommodate your own ideas. He demonstrates the techniques as you go along and then makes suggestions about ways of achieving your design ideas.
It was a pleasure to spend a day with a true craftsman. I learned a lot and I would recommend this course to anyone who has an interest in this traditional craft skill.
Stephen Blockley - - #18830
A really good day. excellent levels of instruction. Colin is very friendly and guided me through the production of two high quality items. A lot more than I had expected to be able to do in one day.
christopher hesketh - - #18828
I bought this as a present for my partner but also joined him on the course. It was absolutely brilliant and we’d definitely go back.
We were able to make what we wanted but Colin was also on hand to make suggestions too and show us examples. He is obviously very experienced and knowledgeable and was happy to share this with us. He answered our many questions and we produced some genuinely lovely pieces that don’t look like they were made by beginners.
I can’t recommend this course enough !
Suzanne - - #18484
My son and I had a brilliant day with Bob! I hadn't used a forge since I was at school and that probably made me a liability; but Bob took us both through each of the essential, primary, hammer skills over and over, step by step until something akin to competence emerged. His patience paid off because we both managed to make a useful item: my son a Viking knife and me, a poker. Wonderful and permanent reminders of a great day. Thank you Bob
Peter Lawton - - #18127
I have really enjoyed my day learning a new skill with Colin, have made some really nice practical pieces that I hope will be in my family for a long time, Colin's clear and no pressure teaching style made me feel at ease and we soon had the first piece finished and polished up. I would definitely recommend doing this course as I have had a great overall experience and have made some unique items for my home.
John oldham - - #17995
Thanks for the course today.
It was superb. Amazing to see the way you handled the metal and great to try my hand at trying some of the blacksmith basics and thrilled to be able to take away a few self made items too!!
I'll definitely recommend you and Colin to anyone who asks. It was a pleasure to meet you and a great way to try something new.
Many thanks
Richard - - #17959
This was given to me and my brother as a surprise birthday present and it was truly an excellent day. Colin was friendly and fun and helped even novices like my brother and I to create very beautiful items.
It was very enjoyable and I highly reccomend it for anyone else looking to try blacksmithing.
Thomas Barbera - - #17870
Bob is an excellent tutor. Patient, intuitive and fun to work with. We're complete novices at blacksmithing with a look to setting ourselves up a hobby workshop. Bob took us from working the hammer and the fire right through to making our own door handles and a giant toasting fork. Thanks for a great day.
Mark - - #17706