Clarke Knives reviews

Mark Booth reviewed: ** SPECIAL OFFER ** 10% off - Bladesmithing Experience Day - Wiltshire

"This was a great experience and to have something to take away at the end to remind you of it is excellent. The family team at Clarkes Knives are really engaging and very knowledgable, walking everyone through all the steps and making sure everyone, even the younger members of the group who found swinging a large hammer a bit much, got a good result. The option to add extras top the booked result - in my case para cord on the handle was appreciated and made the end result even better. Would thoroughly recommend and am considering going back for another go!"

Clarke Knives responded:

"Great that you enjoyed yourself so much. We look forward to seeing you again."

Graham Jagger reviewed: Bladesmithing Experience Day

"I was apprehensive about my potential ability to create a knife, but Graham, from the off, gave us the confidence that if we did what we were told we would be fine. We were not mollycoddled but help and encouragement was swiftly available if help was needed. This made us more confident in 'owning' our work. It was a great feeling to be made to feel one of the work team. The teaching was so direct, spot on and couldn't have been better. This was the best course I have ever attended and I ended up with a fairly good looking useable knife of which I am proud. Thank you Graham David and Declan."

Graham Jagger reviewed: ** SPECIAL OFFER ** 10% off - Bladesmithing Experience Day - Wiltshire

"I was apprehensive about my potential ability to create a knife, but Graham, from the off, gave us the confidence that if we did what we were told we would be fine. We were not mollycoddled but help and encouragement was swiftly available if help was needed. This made us more confident in 'owning' our work. It was a great feeling to be made to feel one of the work team. The teaching was so direct, spot on and couldn't have been better. This was the best course I have ever attended and I ended up with a fairly good looking useable knife of which I am proud. Thank you Graham David and Declan."

Simon Foster reviewed: Bladesmithing Experience Day

"My 12 year old son and I had a fantastic day at the forge. What a great bunch of guys, a really brilliant family outfit! Very knowledgeable, very patient, very encouraging- ensuring my lad was fully engaged. I will definitely be recommending these guys to friends and family. Thanks very much Graham, David and Decklan for a quality day, Cheers!"

Clarke Knives responded:

"'Twas a great day ???"

Simon Foster reviewed: ** SPECIAL OFFER ** 10% off - Bladesmithing Experience Day - Wiltshire

"My 12 year old son and I had a fantastic day at the forge. What a great bunch of guys, a really brilliant family outfit! Very knowledgeable, very patient, very encouraging- ensuring my lad was fully engaged. I will definitely be recommending these guys to friends and family. Thanks very much Graham, David and Decklan for a quality day, Cheers!"

Clarke Knives responded:

"'Twas a great day ???"

James Hewitt reviewed: Bladesmithing Experience Day

"Great day on the bladesmithing course, with lots of (very) patient help from Graham, David and Decklan. Thoroughly recommended."

Clarke Knives responded:

"Thanks James - we're glad you enjoyed it"

James Hewitt reviewed: ** SPECIAL OFFER ** 10% off - Bladesmithing Experience Day - Wiltshire

"Great day on the bladesmithing course, with lots of (very) patient help from Graham, David and Decklan. Thoroughly recommended."

Clarke Knives responded:

"Thanks James - we're glad you enjoyed it"

Craig Hutchinson reviewed: Bladesmithing Experience Day

"I wasn't quite sure what to expect, well I can honestly say that it was an experience of a lifetime. Every member of the team always make you feel at home,despite the fact that I hadn't ever done anything like this before The whole experience really helped me believe that I have just started a whole new direction and can't wait to make more knives"

Clarke Knives responded:

"Looking forward to seeing you again Craig ??"

Craig Hutchinson reviewed: ** SPECIAL OFFER ** 10% off - Bladesmithing Experience Day - Wiltshire

"I wasn't quite sure what to expect, well I can honestly say that it was an experience of a lifetime. Every member of the team always make you feel at home,despite the fact that I hadn't ever done anything like this before The whole experience really helped me believe that I have just started a whole new direction and can't wait to make more knives"

Clarke Knives responded:

"Looking forward to seeing you again Craig ??"

Mike H reviewed: Bladesmithing Experience Day

"This was bought for me as a present as its my kind of thing and i wasn't disappointed. From start to finish it was a fun day learning new practical skills and the science behind it. Safety brief to start and straight into the day forging, normalising, tempering etc. The guys were clearly knowledgeable and always on hand offering guidance and help if needed. Bit of banter throughout the day made an enjoyable time even better. Went home with my own pride and joy, next step to make a handle !!. Cheers guys it was a great experience, well recommended and i am spreading the word !!."

Clarke Knives responded:

"Thanks Mike"

Mike H reviewed: ** SPECIAL OFFER ** 10% off - Bladesmithing Experience Day - Wiltshire

"This was bought for me as a present as its my kind of thing and i wasn't disappointed. From start to finish it was a fun day learning new practical skills and the science behind it. Safety brief to start and straight into the day forging, normalising, tempering etc. The guys were clearly knowledgeable and always on hand offering guidance and help if needed. Bit of banter throughout the day made an enjoyable time even better. Went home with my own pride and joy, next step to make a handle !!. Cheers guys it was a great experience, well recommended and i am spreading the word !!."

Clarke Knives responded:

"Thanks Mike"

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

"The whole day was incredible. The tuition was great, all three knew what they were talking about and knew how to correct problems and explain why the correction was needed, both in terms of skills or material. I would highly recommend Vlakvark Forge. Great day, great outcome! Side note, maybe not for those that can’t take tough love when making mistakes."

Clarke Knives responded:

"Thanks Alex ??"

Alex reviewed: Bladesmithing Experience Day

"The whole day was incredible. The tuition was great, all three knew what they were talking about and knew how to correct problems and explain why the correction was needed, both in terms of skills or material. I would highly recommend Vlakvark Forge. Great day, great outcome! Side note, maybe not for those that can’t take tough love when making mistakes."

Clarke Knives responded:

"Thanks Alex ??"

John Craig reviewed: Bladesmithing Experience Day

"Like many of the above participants, this course was bought for me as Christmas present by my wife and two daughters. Now that was a superb Christmas present to be talked about and remembered. Really enjoyed the course and learned a lot, finishing up with a knife so sharp it puts expensve "commercial" chefs' knives in the shade. Learned about fancy Damascus steels and how they are made. You can use them on the course if you wish, although it does cost a little extra. Don`t be afraid to have a go as the teaching is superb and vitually one to one."

Clarke Knives responded:

"Great that you enjoyed the day Bonny Lad ???"

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

"Like many of the above participants, this course was bought for me as Christmas present by my wife and two daughters. Now that was a superb Christmas present to be talked about and remembered. Really enjoyed the course and learned a lot, finishing up with a knife so sharp it puts expensve "commercial" chefs' knives in the shade. Learned about fancy Damascus steels and how they are made. You can use them on the course if you wish, although it does cost a little extra. Don`t be afraid to have a go as the teaching is superb and vitually one to one."

Clarke Knives responded:

"Great that you enjoyed the day Bonny Lad ???"

Hamish Good reviewed: ** SPECIAL OFFER ** 10% off - Bladesmithing Experience Day - Wiltshire

"My 87 year old father and I attended the one day bladesmithing course at Vladvark. We are both fairly ‘hands on’ when it comes to life’s practical challenges and were both excited to be learning new skills. Graham, his son and his son’s son (yes three generations) delivered an exceptional experience which combined as much metallurgy science as you could consume with the real, hands on process of turning a piece of metal into a knife. Plenty of hot and cold drinks were on offer along with a very substantial sandwich for lunch. We also got to enjoy the playful banter between the three generations of family members…All in all a fantastic day that I would thoroughly recommend to anyone that fancies it…Give it a go you’ll be really pleased you did."

Clarke Knives responded:

"Thanks Hamish and congrats to your Dad. He’s our second oldest participant but by a long way the oldest who didn’t need any help along the way ????"

Hamish Good reviewed: Bladesmithing Experience Day

"My 87 year old father and I attended the one day bladesmithing course at Vladvark. We are both fairly ‘hands on’ when it comes to life’s practical challenges and were both excited to be learning new skills. Graham, his son and his son’s son (yes three generations) delivered an exceptional experience which combined as much metallurgy science as you could consume with the real, hands on process of turning a piece of metal into a knife. Plenty of hot and cold drinks were on offer along with a very substantial sandwich for lunch. We also got to enjoy the playful banter between the three generations of family members…All in all a fantastic day that I would thoroughly recommend to anyone that fancies it…Give it a go you’ll be really pleased you did."

Clarke Knives responded:

"Thanks Hamish and congrats to your Dad. He’s our second oldest participant but by a long way the oldest who didn’t need any help along the way ????"

Jamie reviewed: Bladesmithing Experience Day

"A great day and really appreciate the skill, knowledge and input from Graham, David and Decklan. Brilliant to spend a day bladesmithing and love the knife I made."

Clarke Knives responded:

"??? Glad you enjoyed the day."

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

"A great day and really appreciate the skill, knowledge and input from Graham, David and Decklan. Brilliant to spend a day bladesmithing and love the knife I made."

Clarke Knives responded:

"??? Glad you enjoyed the day."

Shane Hallett reviewed: Bladesmithing Weekend

"Wow what can I say I have always wanted to make my own knife and I have finally achieved it. The excellent tutorage, humour and warm welcome all made the experience one I will always remember. We were taken step by step through the process which enabled us to watch the professional then start on our own knife slowly watching the knife come alive out of the metal billet we were give. You were able to go along at your own pace with someone always ready to step in and help if you needed it and even make slight changes to the design to suit you, I went for a nicely balanced knife with beautiful blue swirly handles and I. must say I am very happy with the final result. The best thing is that I can now sign up for the virtual open days and go along and start another project at my own pace using their facilities and knowledge by paying a reasonable day fee. I will definitely be back to do another soon."

Clarke Knives responded:

"Glad you enjoyed your time with us so much. We look forward to seeing you again."

Guy Edwards reviewed: ** SPECIAL OFFER ** 10% off - Bladesmithing Experience Day - Wiltshire

"A brilliant, no-nonsense course with excellent tuition from the hugely experienced Clarke family who take a justifiable pride in what they do, offering a superb experience. It was the first time I had stepped into a working forge, but by the end of the day, I had made a knife from beautiful Damascus steel that I was really proud of. I learnt so much, as did my daughter who came with me on the day and made a lovely knife of her own. A thoroughly recommended great day out, and you'll leave with new knowledge, good memories, and a tangible, useful and unique memento of the day!"

Clarke Knives responded:

"Saturday was one of those special days when it all came together so well. We’re so pleased that you and Abi had a great day too."

Guy Edwards reviewed: Bladesmithing Experience Day

"A brilliant, no-nonsense course with excellent tuition from the hugely experienced Clarke family who take a justifiable pride in what they do, offering a superb experience. It was the first time I had stepped into a working forge, but by the end of the day, I had made a knife from beautiful Damascus steel that I was really proud of. I learnt so much, as did my daughter who came with me on the day and made a lovely knife of her own. A thoroughly recommended great day out, and you'll leave with new knowledge, good memories, and a tangible, useful and unique memento of the day!"

Clarke Knives responded:

"Saturday was one of those special days when it all came together so well. We’re so pleased that you and Abi had a great day too."

Jonathan Pemberton reviewed: Bladesmithing Experience Day

"This course was excellent. I got this for a friends 30th and this was just a fantastic day. Graham's and David's knowledge was amazing and the course was fascinating. This was really hands on and was satisfying going from an unshaped piece of steel to a knife was so satisfying. 10/10 would recommend!"

Clarke Knives responded:

"Thanks Jon, It was an enjoyable day all round"

Jonathan Pemberton reviewed: ** SPECIAL OFFER ** 10% off - Bladesmithing Experience Day - Wiltshire

"This course was excellent. I got this for a friends 30th and this was just a fantastic day. Graham's and David's knowledge was amazing and the course was fascinating. This was really hands on and was satisfying going from an unshaped piece of steel to a knife was so satisfying. 10/10 would recommend!"

Clarke Knives responded:

"Thanks Jon, It was an enjoyable day all round"

Ben Hankins reviewed: ** SPECIAL OFFER ** 10% off - Bladesmithing Experience Day - Wiltshire

"Bought this for my Dads Xmas present and I joined him on the day. The course was so much fun, the Clarke family were incredibly knowledgable and the end product was amazing! Dad and I had the best day and we would highly recommend taking this course!"

Clarke Knives responded:

"So glad you both enjoyed your day with us so much"