Firebird Forge reviews

6 Mar 17'

Tim reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"Fantastic day with Mort. I learnt a great deal and thoroughly enjoyed myself. Has given me a true appreciation of a Master blacksmith!"

27 Feb 17'

Kathryn reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"What an excellent day! Mort was a super teacher and very patient (I wasn't very good...). He gave us lots of time and explained everything in great detail. We could do as little or as much as we wished with the day. Some brilliant anecdotes to enjoy too...! I'm dead chuffed with my Viking knife and very novice scrolling! Thoroughly recommended."

27 Feb 17'

Alan Whibley reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"Excellent day learning to work metal and made an impressive knife and bottle opener (Viking style) thank you David, really enjoyed the day and all your anecdotes. Best regards Alan"

20 Feb 17'

Magda reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"We had such a wonderful day with Mort!! As a complete beginner I had no idea what to expect but Mort was wonderful at guiding our ideas and helped us produce an incredible fireguard which is now a real centrepiece in our living room! I am so chuffed with it - never thought we'd be able to do it (even with help!). Mort was great - patient and helpful and interesting. Thank you for such a brilliant day!"

10 Feb 17'

Jackie Hamilton reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"I made a wonderful organically curly candlestick which was created from a doodle design I brought, and although, yes, I had a huge amount of help and guidance I am so proud of this result! A wonderful day and it felt like alchemy converting cold metal into art with flame and sparks and noise. My husband made an axe which is another story! Mort is a star."

26 Jan 17'

Steve Gallimore reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"As a complete newcomer to blacksmithing I arrived not knowing what to expect. Mort was an excellent and very patient teacher. The tuition was relaxed, informative. I tried new skills and learnt about different blacksmithing tools. I even had a go at forge welding. I came away with a pair of very impressive fireside tongs. A thoroughly enjoyable day I would recommend to anyone to give it a go."

26 Jan 17'

Alice reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"Had a fantastic day despite the freezing weather! Individual tuition and a great overview of the ten blacksmith skills. Really hands on course and came away with an amazing boot scraper. Very proud of my self. Mort was a real character, entertaining and fortunately very patient. Would definitely recomend"

21 Dec 16'

Huw Williams reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"I couldn't have wanted more from Mort's class and I can't recommend it highly enough. He is patient, highly knowledgeable and a great teacher. He balanced perfectly the task of instructing, guiding and ensuring we had productive tool-time - showing the various blacksmith skills, encouraging us to work with the metal and only stepping in to adjust our mistakes when it was essential. He is eloquent and informative making the theory easy to understand and remember. His deep knowledge of history and wide life experience means the day is also peppered with fascinating anecdotes and insights. Mort's course was by far my best birthday present since I was a kid - and that was a fair few years ago!"

9 Dec 16'

Andie reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"I arrived fairly trepidacious as I'm small female and well over 60... but I had an absolutely brilliant day. Mort suggested gently that I could attempt something far beyond my expectations and with his patient help and encouragement I brought home a beautiful door knocker that I would have been delighted to have bought at a craft fair. I learnt so many techniques from scratch, and loved stoking the fire and hammering with all my strength. As for the fire welding, white hot and showering sparks, it was thrilling and magical. Top it off with his stories and historical knowledge, I had a fantastic time."

28 Nov 16'

Stuart Mills reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"I arranged a day at the forge for a group of the family to celebrate 2 60ths birthdays which had recently taken place. I think its fair to say we were a bit daunted at first as we had very little experience in forging however after a quick pep talk by mort and an introduction to the world of blacksmithing we were all soon very relaxed and enjoying ourselves. The day was very laid back and at the end of it we all came away with things we had made to show the rest of the family. A great way for us to get away from normal life and de-stress, making memories that we will talk about for years to come, aswell as learning a heap of interesting information about Blacksmiths and their traditional techniques! Mort is a very very talented individual with many different experiences and with the help of his apprentice Lawrence we were all looked after brilliantly! We all talked about coming back for another session so im sure its something we will be arranging over the next few months!"

15 Nov 16'

Dom McIntyre De Vitto reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"Brilliant day ! Really was far better than I expected - actually designing things (roughly), then heating, hammering and bending metal (like it's toffee!) into shape. Some joints made through literally banging to orange-hot pieces of metal together, others by twisting or jointing/riveting. My wife made a saddle stand, and I made a fire cradle (only just - time ran out). He saddle stand is amazing, really functional but pretty and extremely unusual! 'Mort' is an excellent teacher, who's passionate, knowledgeable and has amazing skills. He's also very patient with those, like me, who aren't anywhere near as capable. Fun, interesting and productive day - totally recommend it !!!"

14 Nov 16'

Bob kennedy reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"Had a fantastic day on the blade forging course. Well equipped forge and Mort is a fantastic teacher. Perfect balance of allowing me.to forge away and stepping in at the critical moments to keep the peice. Finished the day with a unique saex and has fired my intrest in learning more. Look forward to working with Mort again...highly recommended"

4 Nov 16'

Beverley Bruce reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"I had the best time ever today. Mort is a brilliant teacher, spot on with that balance between getting you to do it for yourself and jumping in when necessary to ensure you have something amazing to take home at the end of the day. I had been nervous beforehand (I am a 59 year old woman) but Mort put me at my ease. He is clearly a genuinely nice man and very very good at his job. I'd always wanted a go at making something out of metal so this was a very thoughtful birthday present with the bonus of being near a cosy fire on a cold day and being able to knock six bells out of hot iron. Strangely satisfying. Anyway, I can thoroughly recommend this course - go for it!"

18 Oct 16'

Linda B reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"I am writing to provide feedback following my attendance at the day course run by David Mortimer (Mort) on 11th October 2016. I found the course to be educational, professional and most of all, enjoyable. Mort has a vast knowledge of many different subjects and it was fascinating listening to him impart various tales. His detailed and careful instruction while working on the forge was obviously the best part of the experience. I came away feeling really satisfied that it was a day well spent and i would recommend it to anybody who has an interest in this type of activity. Thanks Mort, my old man who also attended is still talking about it."

15 Oct 16'

Ken Bagnall reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"I was really looking forward to my day with Mort as it was over 50 years since I had used a forge while at school! I was not disappointed as he proved to be an excellent instructor and his professionalism was evident from the outset. He showed such great patience with my sometimes pathetic attempts at the forge and explained everything in much detail and at the same time was amusing held me rapt with his knowledge of many subjects. Thank you Mort, certainly a day to remember."

25 Sep 16'

Richard Durrant reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"I had a brilliant day. I went along knowing that I wanted to make a scythe. Mort was very knowledgeable and admitted that although he hadn't made a scythe himself. He was very interested in teaching me the skills needed to make one. Mort had an old scythe that could be used as a guide to help us in the design. Which he later gave to me. I would highly recommend his course. And he makes a great cup-a."

19 Sep 16'

Ashley McCulloch reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"Excellent is an understatement for this course. I learnt the basic techniques of forging, the 9 steps/rules of forging and lots of other useful stuff. I was very lucky that the other student cancelled at short notice so I had all Mort's time to myself. I really enjoyed the day which was great fun. I took a design I had drawn and Mort helped me make it plus we made two other completely awesome items. It was the best course I have ever done and I plan to carry on experimenting at home and then come back again to learn some more. Its a great way to spend the day and Mort is a great guy."

26 Jul 16'

Piet Snyman reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"I always wanted to do this, but never knew how much fun and hard work it would be. I thoroughly enjoyed the day and will be back for more. Mort is an excellent teacher and made sure that you get sufficient opportunity to practice and improve over the course of the day, but also have time to listen to his stories and have a laugh. I had a basic idea of what I wanted to make, but with Mort's knowledge it soon turned into something more special, but also challenging. At the end of the day I really felt I achieved something. I will definitely recommend this!"

13 Jul 16'

Henry Danes reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"Found my day of blade-smithing thoroughly enjoyable and a great experience for novices like me, since Mort was a fantastic teacher and helped me end the day with a piece I was very happy with."

12 Jul 16'

Callum Smith reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"I found it really useful as someone who is thinking of going in to blacksmithing as a hobby/career. Mort was a very good teacher and he told us a little bit about the history of blacksmithing which I found very interesting. I was unsure about what to make but Mort had lots of photos of passed students' work to help me decide. Throughout the day Mort taught me a number of different techniques and helped me understand the importance of precision when it comes to shaping metal. I was amazed at how easily I could shape red hot steel and how easily it could by twisted and molded. Overall I had an amazing day."

12 Jul 16'

Nick Smith reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"My 16 year old son and I had a fantastic day together with Mort. Mort was an excellent teacher and was very patient with me as I whacked away and pieces of red hot steel. We both thoroughly enjoyed our day and would recommend Mort unreservedly. Excellent value for money. My son was so inspired by Mort that is now intending to take up blacksmithing as a hobby. It was very clear from the samples he showed us that Mort is a highly skilled blacksmith who produces work of the highest quality. I made a wall mounted candle holder that will take pride f place in my home."

21 Jun 16'

Steve Sharpe reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"A fantastic couple of days! A mixture of life stories, teaching anecdotes, fun, tea and biscuits and the odd shared sandwich. Mort is an excellent teacher with a real passion for both his craft and teaching. It's only after a couple of days reflection that I realise how much knowledge was shared. Everything from the basic forging techniques to fire management and the magic of fire welding. I highly recommend Mort and his teaching, and at the end you are sure to take home things you have made which you would never have thought possible."

16 Jun 16'

Nick Platt reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"Had a great time at Firebird Forge! Over a two-day period I became totally hooked on blacksmithing. With Mort as tutor the course was fun, informative and introduced me to valuable new skills. I am a complete beginner and as a skill is only acquired throughy practice, I will be returning as often as can! Mort is a patient and supportive teacher, highly skilled in his craft and aware of his students' needs. I highly recommend this course."

24 Apr 16'

Nat Carthew reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"Just got home from a weekend spent pounding some hot metal with Mort. Fantastic fun and extremely informative. Mort really knows his metal and the history of smithing. Went to the forge with a list of four items that I was interested in making and just about finished the lot! (a bit of finishing still to be done on a couple of them) Highly recommended course!"

10 Mar 16'

Dave Dobson reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"Fantastic day and top marks to Mort. One day is not much time to brief a student on the safe management of a forge, display blacksmith techniques & skills and allow you the freedom to design an item(s) of your desire - then make said item(s). Mort achieved this with ease, whilst keeping you entertained with anecdotes, tea/coffee, biscuits and cake! Mort is a master craftsman but also a very skilled teacher - which do not always go together! He effortlessly smoothed over my areas of 'stupid moments' which enabled me to leave feeling very satisfied with my achievemnets. The day was well paced, it is a practical 'hands on' learning experience, based on individual ability and I guarantee you will leave with a renewed admiration for skill levels of the blacksmith."