Chris The Smith reviews

30 Apr 23'

Carl reviewed: Blacksmithing for Beginners - Full Day Forging for One

"Fantastic day and 100% value for money. Chris is an awesome tutor and finds the right mix between theory and practical. His training method ensures you know the end to end process of forging from forge design, H&S, tools and equipment, the stages of creating a piece and finishing. The practical element saw me make two pieces within the time and each piece was step by step with Chris demonstrating each step and me following after. I’ve walked away with both the desire and the confidence to do some on my own! Top day Chris thanks very much! Definitely recommend. "

31 Mar 23'

Allyson reviewed: Blacksmithing for Beginners - Full Day Forging for One

"Great course with excellent tuition, good clear guidance and very informative - came away with some items - who knew I could work with metal! Would recommend as a great opportunity to try working with a different material - a great day was had "

8 Mar 23'

Sandy G-S reviewed: Blacksmithing for Beginners - Full Day Forging for Two

"This is a superb course. Chris is a very informative, knowledgable, skillful and patient tutor. Each stage was explained and demonstrated before we attempted it ourselves. Would recommend to anyone interested in artistic blacksmithing."

28 Feb 23'

Matt Cartwright reviewed: Blacksmithing for Beginners - Full Day Forging for One

"Fantastic Experience, not only had a great day with a very friendly instructor but came home with the signature leaf keyring and additionally a unique letter opener. Would highly recommend to anyone who's had any interest in smithing!"

13 Jan 23'

Dave andrews reviewed: Blacksmithing for Beginners - Full Day Forging for One

"Christmas gift for hubby who had an amazing day and bought home some great makes. Think he will be coming back. Thanks Chris . Would highly recommend to anyone"

9 Dec 22'

Jill reviewed: Blacksmithing for Beginners - Full Day Forging for One

"This was a really amazing experience, and very well-taught. Everything was explained so well, and broken down into manageable steps that built a great range of skills for working with metal. I've never had the chance to have a go at anything like this before and I'm absolutely delighted to come away with 2 finished pieces that I'm very proud of. Thank you!"

2 Nov 22'

John leahy reviewed: Blacksmithing for Beginners - Full Day Forging for One

"Most enjoyable day, Chris discussed some bespoke ideas and encouraged and taught the required skills throughout the day. I hIghly recommend him."

26 Oct 22'

Azeem reviewed: Blacksmithing for Beginners - Full Day Forging for Two

"Did the one day beginner experience with my girlfriend. Chris is a brilliant teacher and it was great learning from him. Cannot recommend it enough and got a nice keyring out of it to boot!"

20 Oct 22'

Dave Richards reviewed: Blacksmithing for Beginners - Full Day Forging for One

"I cannot add anything further than has already been said by the previous reviewers. This guy is consistently great. A brilliant, patient teacher and a comprehensively capable practitioner. I will be back for another session as it is obvious he has so much more left to teach and is so clearly capable of teaching to that higher level and beyond. "

7 Oct 22'

Dave and Sally Walker reviewed: Blacksmithing for Beginners - Full Day Forging for Two

"We had a really enjoyable time and learnt many techniques during the production of our key fobs. Chris is a great teacher, very easy to get on with and we would very much recommend his courses."

23 Aug 22'

Adrian Cresswell reviewed: Blacksmithing for Beginners - Full Day Forging for One

"I’ve just had a wonderful day in the forge. Chris was a superb teacher, not just explaining what to do, but always helping me understood why. He was patient with all my questions and great at giving me ways to fix my mistakes! I am very proud of the support-crook-hook-garden stake thing I made today to hold up a garden suncatcher. If you are interested in practical things, I can 100% recommend spending a day at Chris’s forge. I shall be adding it to my birthday list in the hope that I can go again before too long!"

30 Jul 22'

Angela reviewed: Blacksmithing for Beginners - Full Day Forging for Two

"A fabulous day. Chris was great, explaining and demonstrating every step clearly and then carefully supervising us as we followed his instructions. He was very patient and happy to answer all of my 15 yr olds questions. Really pleased with our leaf key rings. We can both highly recommend this day and Chris as a tutor. We will definitely look into doing another day with Chris. "

30 Jul 22'

Michael reviewed: Blacksmithing for Beginners - Full Day Forging for One

"An awesome experience, Chris is an exceptional smith and teacher who takes you through the forging process step by step. I would highly recommend this course, I'll definitely be back to tackle another project soon."

18 Jul 22'

John B reviewed: Blacksmithing for Beginners - Full Day Forging for One

"A most enjoyable day out, I enjoyed every minute and learnt a lot throughout the day, it's all hands on and you do everything yourself, under the supervision of Chris, who tells you what you're going to do next, and shows you how to do it in small easy to follow bites, overall a most agreeable day out. Thank you."

6 Jul 22'

Rachelle reviewed: Blacksmithing for Beginners - Full Day Forging for One

"Had a great day doing the blacksmithing experience day, chris is a great teacher. He is very friendly and patient, hapoy to answer all questions. He is very passionate about blacksmithing and his enthusiasm is infectious. Highly recommended!"

15 Jun 22'

Hayden reviewed: Blacksmithing for Beginners - Full Day Forging for One

"Chris was not only a great blacksmith and a lovely person, but also an exceptional teacher. He guided me through making a small but intricate leaf key ring, and then set me loose on my own project where I was able to use the techniques I learnt early in the day on a bigger item! It was a fantastic experience, and I can highly recommend it to anyone who has an interest in metalworking. It was also excellent value for money. I would recommend bringing a set of earplugs (to put halfway in) if you have sensitive ears, as I do :)"

11 May 22'

Neil Butcher reviewed: Blacksmithing for Beginners - Full Day Forging for One

"A brilliant and rewarding day. Chris demonstrates each stage before you do it yourself. And is there at your side if you feel the need for additional guidance. The perfect balance between learning and doing it yourself, quickly building your confidence to perform many different skills to create a beautiful keyring keepsake. I spent the afternoon making a twisted poker with tapered scroll handle. Chris is very friendly and knowledgeable. I would recommend the day to anyone."

10 Apr 22'

Steve Lloyd reviewed: Blacksmithing for Beginners - Full Day Forging for One

"I thoroughly enjoyed my day Smithing, a surprise birthday gift. Chris is welcoming and has an easy, unhurried teaching style. To spend the day being taught by a craftsman and to produce something hand made at the end makes a great day."

8 Apr 22'

Dave Evans reviewed: Blacksmithing for Beginners - Full Day Forging for One

"A warm friendly greeting followed by an explanation of what I was going to be doing during the day. Ran through health & Safety procedures. Then it was down to work, the plan was that I would mirror the processes that Chris was doing explanations were clear and concise no pressure you worked at a pace that was comfortable with you. Many different skills were taught and explanations of many of the tools and their uses given. I came away with a greater understanding of how metal can change or be changed with fire a hammer and a good instructor. A most enjoyable day. Highly recommended."

28 Mar 22'

Alex reviewed: Blacksmithing for Beginners - Full Day Forging for One

"Had a great day with Chris in his workshop. The day was well structed, fun and very well aimed at beginners in smithing. Chris himself is very knowledgeable and approachable and was fantastic at point out details and best practices as I went about the day's tasks. Highly recommended for anyone who has an interest in smithing and metal working or just looking for a fun day trying something new. Chris keeps things very easy to understand and lighthearted but keeps you engaged with the work and safe at all times. I cannot recommend this course enough, great day and you get to keep what you make :)"

27 Mar 22'

Paul Anthony reviewed: Blacksmithing for Beginners - Full Day Forging for One

"I was given a days blacksmithing course and whilst looking forward to it I didn’t know what to expect. Right from the start Chris made me welcome and is very well organised. He went through safety aspects and the plan for the day. I had excellent one to one tuition, growing skills in steady steps and completed the complicated piece. Chris is an excellent teacher and I thoroughly recommend this course to anyone who has even a vague interest. Do try it, you won’t be disappointed."

11 Mar 22'

Jim reviewed: Blacksmithing for Beginners - Full Day Forging for One

"I had a great time learning from Chris. He is a good teacher, very knowledgable, I hope to return for another session! Cheers."

2 Mar 22'

Nigel Clews reviewed: Blacksmithing for Beginners - Full Day Forging for Two

"A really enjoyable day learning the art of forging and shaping and long overdue having been a present pre pandemic that we could only redeem with certainty at the beginning of this year. Chris is an engaging and enthusiastic tutor, showing you the ropes and then giving you the opportunity to emulate what he has demonstrated, whilst making sure you do not stray to far from the brief and do end up with a finished product. (who would have thought steel could be so temperamental & our skills so rudimentary!) We (2 of us) undertook the course and made the leaf shaped key ring. This is an object of alarming simplicity in its finished state, but which involves 14 separate steps to get to the end project. The workshop is on a garden centre site which has an excellent cafe for coffees and lunch. Would thoroughly recommend this course to anyone who wants to give 'smithing' a go."

18 Feb 22'

Robin Oxley reviewed: Blacksmithing for Beginners - Full Day Forging for One

"An absolutely brilliant day forging! Perfect for both beginners and experienced smiths - Chris was brilliant, explains perfectly and correctly, shows every skill you could need and keeps a close eye on everything your doing. He also allows you to do your own bit and make things to a way you like. A perfect chance to create a individual piece of art. Safe and easy to find. No issues at all and well worth it. 5 STARS!!!"

13 Feb 22'

jonathan lay reviewed: Blacksmithing for Beginners - Full Day Forging for One

"Had a great day. Chris is very knowledgeable, very easy to get one with and has a great deal of patience. The workshop is very clean and has loads of space, I will be booking another day with Chris as I thoroughly enjoyed my time there and was put at ease from the start. Thanks for the great day Chris"