Clarke Knives reviews

John Middlemass reviewed: Bladesmithing Experience Day

"Birthday treat, pleasant surprise and thoroughly enjoyable. Did this with my 19 year old son who has limited practical skills and he managed to achieve a good quality blade utilising the excellent tuition. Thought the price was a bit steep for the finished product and experience. A great experience."

NIchola Begg reviewed: Bladesmithing Experience Day

"18 and 14 year old sons thought it was the best experience they had had other than seeing the Red Arrows. High praise indeed. The team were knowledgeable, engaging and helpful. Highly recommend"

Clarke Knives responded:

"They did really well and it was a pleasure having them at the Forge. We hope to see them again soon."

Iain reviewed: Bladesmithing Experience Day

"Thank you for a brilliant experience. I had a great day and would thoroughly and unreservedly recommend the course to anyone. "

Clarke Knives responded:

"We all enjoyed the weekend with you too. We hope to see you again sometime."

Martyn reviewed: Bladesmithing Experience Day

"I had a great day there. Everyone was really helpful and welcoming The knife is fantastic, I highly recommend it"

Clarke Knives responded:

"Thanks Martyn, it was a great day 😊😊"

Jade reviewed: Bladesmithing Experience Day

"We had an absolutely great day! Really enjoyed making my own knife and seeing it go from a piece of steel to a full crafted knife. Graham, David and Decklan were brilliant, explaining everything clearly and always there when help and support was needed and they trusted us to get on with it independently when we didn’t. Highly highly recommend for anyone looking for a fun day out. Will definitely be returning for the 2 day Axe course. Thank you guys! "

Clarke Knives responded:

"Thanks Jade. We also enjoyed the day and look forward to seeing you again."

Rebecca reviewed: Bladesmithing Experience Day

"We had a wonderful time at our bladesmithing experience day at Vlakvark Forge. Graham, David and Decklan were extremely knowledgeable and helpful, supporting when needed but also trusting us to work independently which really lead to a sense of achievement and pride in the knives we took home. We'd definitely recommend!"

Michelle Talbot reviewed: Bladesmithing Experience Day

"I bought a voucher for my 16 year old daughter to attend the 1 day bladesmithing course with Graham, David and Decklan and we both had a great time! Everything was clearly explained and suitable for a complete novice and there was plenty of help when you needed it and plenty of independence when you didn't. There was no rushing or pressure and by the end of the day everyone had a very impressive knife to take home. It was amazing to see the knives take form from plain lumps of metal over a few hours. There was a great atmosphere with lots of friendly banter throughout the day to go with the hard work. There was as much tea, coffee, Pepsi Coke, bottled water, biscuits and crisps as you wanted through the day as well as a selection of delicious paninis for lunch. Thanks so much to Graham, David and Decklan for the great experience, we hope to come back one day in the future to do the 2 day course. "

Clarke Knives responded:

"It was a great day and Willow's knife was a beauty. We all look forward to seeing you again."

Tony T reviewed: Bladesmithing Experience Day

"An absolutely great day. Graham, David and Decklan guided us through the processes. Firstly describing the process, demonstrating each step then keeping a watchful eye as we were let loose on the tools. The day was well paced and at no point were you put under any pressure. Lunch was supplied as was a good supply of friendly banter. At the end off the day you get to come away with a knife you have made. A truly fantastic day, if you have any aspirations of hitting a hot thing with a large cold thing on a big chunk of metal then this is for you. Treat yourself or better still get some one to buy it for you!!"

Clarke Knives responded:

"We're all glad you enjoyed yourself so much. We hope to see you again sometime ☺☺☺"

John and Oli reviewed: Bladesmithing Experience Day

"I have never forgotten when I received my first sheaf knife as a teenage from my brother. So when an opportunity came to actually craft my own for my son to have I couldn't resist booking on the course. Graham, David and Decklan were on hand throughout the day, by first explaining what we were going to do and why. A demo then followed and then we had a go under their watchful eye. The pace of the day was relaxed and not rushed. We learnt lots about steel and its property and had a very hands on day using new tools and techniques. We came away with our first knife which we will put to good use when we go camping next. I would highly recommend this course!"

Clarke Knives responded:

"Thanks John and it was great you both enjoyed yourselves.. Your next camping trip will be all the better for it"

Edward reviewed: Bladesmithing Weekend

"Instructions very clear, and a highly enjoyable experience!"

Clarke Knives responded:

"☺☺☺It was a good weekend"

Jesse Q reviewed: Bladesmithing Experience Day

"Fun day. Well paced to stay in the action and on the tools, but with enough explanation to understand what you're doing and why. Instructors kept a good eye and ensured everyone stayed on course, with additional assistance handed out where needed. Would definitely recommend. "

Clarke Knives responded:

"Glad you enjoyed your day with us so much. Graham"

Luke reviewed: Bladesmithing Experience Day

"I had a brilliant day making a knife with Dave, Decklan and Graham. All three where extremely patient, helpful and tremendously skilled & knowledgeable. There is a really friendly, encouraging atmosphere in the forge and I wish I could spend more time there. I'll definitely be taking my kids along in the future. Do it, you won't regret it. "

Clarke Knives responded:

"We all look forward to seeing you again."

Oz Taylor reviewed: Bladesmithing Experience Day

"Fabulous. Great team who are fully engaged for a full day. Lots of information, lots of encouragement and loads to learn. Could not have asked for more - and the sandwiches were fab! Many thanks. "

Clarke Knives responded:

"Thanks Oz ☺☺"

Huw reviewed: Bladesmithing Experience Day

"Great day at the forge. Really knowledgeable team there, Dave and Declan were very patient and always happy to help and offer advice and guidance. Their interaction with Graham was ‘interesting’ and clear who’s the boss 😀 As a complete novice I was amazed how good my knife turned out. The small bits of help from Dave & Declan clearly corrected my errors and ended up with a great looking knife. Whole day was good, with lunch and refreshments provided. A good group of people there on Saturday making knives, plus some others on the axe course. Would definitely recommend to anyone as a good experience. Might even return at some point for a slightly bigger knife over a couple of days. Just something relaxing about starting with a lump of metal and heating it up then bashing it with a hammer. Enjoyed the grinding too."

Clarke Knives responded:

"Hi Huw, It was a good group on Saturday, it's a pity I wasn't well enough to join with you more. I hope we will see you again soon."

Anne-Marie Marray reviewed: Bladesmithing Experience Day

"I had a brilliant time on the course. Graham, David & Declan made it clear and interesting, can’t recommend it enough."

Clarke Knives responded:

"It was a great group on Saturday, we all enjoyed ourselves."

Rob Llewellyn-Jones reviewed: Bladesmithing Experience Day

"Completed the 1 day knife making course this past weekend. The whole experience from start to finish was brilliant. Loved all of it. Would absolutely recommend it to anyone - I had zero experience of doing anything like this before and came away wanting to do it a lot more. Everyone was incredibly skilled, helpful and explained everything clearly as we went along. Can’t recommend it high enough. Thank you! "

Clarke Knives responded:

"Hi Rob, It was a great course this weekend and everyone, including ourselves, had a great time. We hope to see you again soon 😊😊"

H Mustafa reviewed: Bladesmithing Experience Day

"I booked this one day bladesmithing experience for myself and my 2 sons (12 & 14). The gents that run the course, Graham, David & Decklan are masters of their craft. After a health and safety briefing its on with a demo and before you know it you are heating your metal in the forge. My 14 yr old was able to work on his own blade whereas me and my 12 y old worked on one together. Its an excellent day of forging, hammering (make sure you choke it) shaping, grinding etc. You learn some interesting facts about metal along the way and the gents are always on hand to help out, tweak your technique and guide you towards making a decent blade. Lunch and refreshments were provided. All in all I would say this is an excellent experience day and would recommend. Thanks gents for excellent day. "

Clarke Knives responded:

"It was a real pleasure having you and the boys with us for a day. We enjoyed ourselves too 😂😂"

Nick Yeatman reviewed: Bladesmithing Experience Day

"Great bonding day with my son who gave this as a birthday present. Proper hands on experience. Heat, hammering, sparks flying, excellent fun."

Clarke Knives responded:

"It has a good group on Saturday and we had as much fun as you clearly did 😊😊"

Brett Jackson reviewed: Bladesmithing Experience Day

"I attended the one day course on the 29th October 22. Honestly had a brilliant time! All three of the Clarkes have a wealth of experience and made the day enjoyable. Felt especially at home with the link back to South Africa. Unfortunately I did get a crack in my blade during heat treating (this can happen sometimes) but still left with a beautiful and sharp blade that I'm proud of. Just means I have to go back and make another, or try the axe course ;) All in all an amazing day and experience! Thank you"

Chris Wright reviewed: Bladesmithing Experience Day

"A brilliant day out, I got it as a birthday gift Had a ball, made a knife and learned a lot what more can y want!"

Clarke Knives responded:

"It was a good day on Saturday - glad you enjoyed it so much also."

Gustav Maskowitz reviewed: Bladesmithing Experience Day

"This was a gift and easily the best thing I’ve done in years. Thoroughly recommend it. Our teacher was super attentive and we felt very looked after, safe and helped. At some point I was scared I was messing up my knife, but received all the help I could have asked for. Very thankful for the true actual freedom to learn, but also the help when I hit the edge of my capability. I have a memory that will last forever. Oh, and a kick@ss knife!!!"

Andy p reviewed: Bladesmithing Experience Day

"What an amazing day! I was given this as a birthday present and I can safely say that out of my 30 birthdays this is the best present I have ever received. I am trying to find a good excuse to return on my own money and that says something as I am tighter than a ducks bumhole. "

Craig Pedley reviewed: Bladesmithing Weekend

"A brilliant course with focused teaching and I definitely learnt a lot. I made a really good knife and sheath and was very pleased with the result. I would highly recommend this course to anyone interested in bladesmithing. A big thank you to Graham David and Declan for a great weekend course."

Clarke Knives responded:

"It was a very enjoyable weekend and we hope to see you back again for one of our other courses ??"

John Naisbitt reviewed: ** SPECIAL OFFER ** 10% off - Bladesmithing Experience Day - Wiltshire

"Graham, David and Deckland made my 15 year old Aerons day. He thoroughly enjoyed himself and his confidence level was on a high. He can’t wait to be older to do the Axe course. Thanks Chaps. ?? "

Clarke Knives responded:

"You did well Aeron - It was great knife to take home ???"

John Naisbitt reviewed: Bladesmithing Experience Day

"Graham, David and Deckland made my 15 year old Aerons day. He thoroughly enjoyed himself and his confidence level was on a high. He can’t wait to be older to do the Axe course. Thanks Chaps. ?? "

Clarke Knives responded:

"You did well Aeron - It was great knife to take home ???"