Chris The Smith reviews

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"

12 Feb 22'

Fred Capewell reviewed: Blacksmithing for Beginners - Full Day Forging for One

"Fantastic experience, I had a one day course with Chris on a one to one basis. It was a very enjoyable day, Chris made me feel very welcome. I made a leaf key ring and Chris went through everything at a steady pace, I never felt under any pressure. Chris took time to explain each step in the process, having explained a step Chris would show me how he did it, explaining all the detail as he went through making his leaf key ring. I would then do the same with Chris giving guidance as I did it, we did this through each of the stages. At the end we both had made leaf key rings, mine, whilst a leaf key ring had my own individuality, that's the great thing of hand crafting with a blacksmith. If you're thinking of going on a course with Chris don't hesitate it's a great day and experience."

4 Feb 22'

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

"Chris is an extremely knowledgable, experienced and patient professional. He took time to explain and demonstrate every step of the process and watched as I did it myself, offering advice when required. I had a thoroughly enjoyable and interesting day and would not hesitate to recommend."

12 Jan 22'

Sarah Price reviewed: Blacksmithing for Beginners - Full Day Forging for Two

"I attended yesterday with my Dad as a birthday gift. We both thoroughly enjoyed our day with a blacksmith. Chris is very knowledgable and patient, a great teacher and guided us through each stage and technique. This is a hands on course. Arriving as complete beginners thanks to Chris we were taught and used forging techniques to each create a really attractive detailed large key ring/ pendant. You don’t need to be strong or have previous knowledge. You complete each stage yourself but under very close guidance and Chris is there to step in and help as needed. Thoroughly recommend this course, it was a great day."

4 Nov 21'

Myra Keatley reviewed: Blacksmithing for Beginners - Full Day Forging for One

"What can I say that hasn't already been said! We had an amazing day and I was stunned at what we produced. Chris is an exceptional teacher and a lovely person. If you are thinking of doing this course all I can say is DO IT and you too will have an amazing day."

13 Aug 21'

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

"My wife bought me this course for a birthday present, and what a lovely day and great fun in a very nice easy to get to setting. Chris puts you quickly at ease and is exceptionally patient. When you mess something up, which as a complete newbie I inevitably did, Chris very calmly, patiently guides you back and somehow the part start to look as they should ish... Expect to be tired at the end of the day, it is quite physical - the process is also quite a mindful meditate experience with the level of concentration to "tap" the right spot. In summary, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the course or Chris, I already have to a colleague at work. fab day"

4 Aug 21'

Simon Gregory reviewed: Blacksmithing for Beginners - Full Day Forging for One

"I had a really great day learning from Chris. Straight into practical work with very clear and patient guidance! Chris is passionate about his craft which comes across throughout the day. I would thoroughly recommend the experience to anyone considering it!"

27 Jul 21'

Mark Driscoll reviewed: Blacksmithing for Beginners - Full Day Forging for One

"A really enjoyable day with a very approachable and knowledgable blacksmith. Chris is an excellent tutor and made my son and I very welcome from the start. He has a very personable teaching skill and knows when to leave you alone and when to step in and help (if required) Nothing seemed too much trouble and he guided us through the day in easy to follow steps. By the end we had transformed a piece of square bar into something very intricate and something we were both very proud of. I would have no hesitation in recommending a blacksmith experience with Chris. Unleash the inner blacksmith in you and have fun with the forge, anvil and lots of hammers!"

29 Jun 21'

Avril Karl reviewed: Blacksmithing for Beginners - Full Day Forging for One

"My husband and I did this course together and it was fantastic - a really fun day. We would highly recommend Chris to anyone wanting to give it a go. He explains everything really thoroughly and is a great teacher, I can't believe how much we learned in a day! It was so great that we are planning to go back to learn some more!"

23 May 21'

Tim Bladon reviewed: Blacksmithing for Beginners - Full Day Forging for One

"Thank you Chris for a brilliant day! My wife had done a similar course with Chris a couple of years ago and really enjoyed it. She bought me the course for my 60th Birthday and I thoroughly enjoyed too, learning some of the ancient skills of blacksmithing. Being a teacher myself, I was really impressed by the way Chris explained and demonstrated each step of the process and I came away very pleased with the two items that I had made!"

6 May 21'

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

"What a wonderful birthday present. Chris is a great teacher. He goes through some theory, but most of the course is practical. Every step is demonstrated with explanation before attempted by the student. Chris keeps a watchful eye to make sure that the best technique is used. Result: a beautiful key ring as a permanent keepsake and reminder of the day. If you do this course you will start to get an idea of the skill of a true blacksmith. Chris makes it look to easy! But for us students it isn’t, and at the end of the day upper arm muscles are a little tired. Safety, both blacksmithing and CoVID, are well explained and managed. Felt very safe."

28 Apr 21'

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

"I spent a great day today on a Blacksmith experience run by Chris The Smith, at his new forge at Earlswood Garden centre. Chris is a natural teacher, he really knows his stuff, and breaks things down into manageable stages which are easy to follow – all backed up by physical examples of what he means, and what good looks like. I was really impressed about how well thought out everything was, allowing even a complete novice like me to start getting results immediately. Chris is very patient, but doesn’t miss a thing, (eye on the ball at all times). He makes sure that you get the best results you are capable of, and I’m proud of the knife and key-ring I made. It was a full day, and a bit tiring, but very very worth it! Both the course and the end products really exceeded my expectations, and I cannot recommend the experience highly enough. 10/10"

21 Apr 21'

George Haughie reviewed: Blacksmithing for Beginners - Full Day Forging for One

"I took this course April 2021 in Chris's new workshop and absolutely loved the experience. The only negative for me was how quickly the day went. Chris was a well organised, prepared, and patient teacher who has clearly put a lot of thought and effort into creating the day and how to scaffold and build a total beginner towards learning the basic skills. I would and have already recommended this course. Thank you Chris, and I'll hopefully be back soon."

21 Oct 20'

Clare Sutton reviewed: Blacksmithing for Beginners - Full Day Forging for Two

"Chris is an excellent teacher - really informative, helpful and patient. My husband and I had a really memorable day in October learning about blacksmithing. It was certainly a day to remember. Chris leads you through the various stages and techniques of blacksmithing and you take the results of your labour (a keyring each) home with you. Everything felt very safe and Covid-secure, with visors, hand gel, painted lines on the floor, etc."