Firebird Forge reviews

20 Mar 15'

Liz Cox reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"Had a great day at Firebird Forge, beautiful rural location with fab views. Mort is an extremely knowledgeable teacher and does have patience of a saint ! - and very gentlemanly helped out when my weak arms just weren't up to the job ! Really interesting and enjoyable and great to come home with some "bespoke" pieces. Would love to have another go - but need to eat 3 Weetabix before I go next time ! Would recommend to anyone to give it a try though - as you can't fail to enjoy this fascinating craft."

18 Mar 15'

John Littler reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"What a great weekend ! A pair of middle aged blokes with an interest in history learning how they made weapons in the middle ages...by making some weapons. Mort raised his eyebrows at two beginners making pattern-welded ("Damascus steel") weapons in 2 days (I heard Sir Humphrey saying "Brave decision Minister" in my head), but he did his best to take us from clueless to competent in no time. He's an extraordinarily patient teacher, with a very obviously deep understanding of the craft and was very easy to get along with - moving beginners along the track of learning without making us feel as clueless as we really are. The real danger is walking out of the forge thinking you're a blacksmith at the end of the weekend, when it's more that you've been good at following instructions. His ability to rescue the piece when I stuffed things up was put to the test a number of times as I made many mistakes, but we reached a very satisfactory outcome - the swirling patterns in the axehead looked fantastic. We will definitely be back again to do more. I'd highly recommend this course to anyone."

10 Mar 15'

Garry Britton reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"What a fun day, hitting things with big hammers and playing with fire, it dosen't get much better. Expert tuition from Mort (he has the patience of a saint), and I made something useful that the wife loves. Thanks again for a great day"

8 Mar 15'

Morgan Stace reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"Mort's tuition was thoroughly enjoyable, made more so by the relaxed and flexible manner that he teaches. Being a fan of history and craftsmanship Mort provided interesting conversation throughout the day. However, the best part of the course was having the joy and satisfaction of coming home with objects that i had chosen to make and created with my own hands."

23 Feb 15'

Sam Bryant reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"If you have even a minor interest in blacksmithing, its place in history or just working with your hands, you will thoroughly enjoy Mort's teaching and company. He’s a very knowledgeable and patient teacher and runs a relaxed but hugely educational and rewarding lesson. I had a rough idea of making a wine display that we worked on together, and had the immense satisfaction of coming away with something I’d made from scratch and will always treasure! Thanks Mort, see you in a festival field sometime!"

18 Feb 15'

Jim Ovenell reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"I'd always wanted to try blacksmithing and thought that at 63 it was about time I did. Having found Mort's course, my wife bought a day for me for Christmas. I bought another for myself . It couldn't have been much better, total one on one tuition for the whole of both days. Mort's an excellent teacher as well as being a very talented blacksmith. Hard to believe how he managed to make some of those very delicate pieces with a hammer! Mort taught me all the basic techniques ( let me commend fire welding to you - most exciting!) and despite my ham handedness we made a super ram's head poker and a couple of great knives as well as enjoying good craic and having a load of fun. An excellent course and a great teacher. Very highly commended."

16 Feb 15'

Stuart Guerard reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"Had a fantastic day with Mort at the Firebird Forge. Mort is a highly talented and skilled blacksmith and has a passion for the art. He teaches in a relaxed and friendly manner. I would thoroughly recommend Mort to anyone who is wanting to try blacksmithing. Looking forward to booking further sessions and spending more time at the Forge. An amazing experience with the added bonus of taking home your own pieces."

7 Feb 15'

Paul Temme reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"A day that transports you to a different world - one unfortunately largely hidden today. Mort skilfully guided me and my 15 year old son (beginners) through many of the blacksmith techniques to enable us to complete 3 iron "treasures" for us to take home to use and decorate our house and garden. Mort's patience and rescuing - abilities mean that the atmosphere is unhurried and relaxed but you still come away with an amazing amount of knowledge and perhaps the start of a new set of skills."

26 Jan 15'

Howard Kay reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"one-to-one tuition with a man of Mort's willingness to share his skills was an experience I will long remember. He imparted his enthusiasm for the craft so I was left with thoughts of how to fit a forge into my single garage. I would recommend this to all and sundry of all ages and genders."

14 Jan 15'

Charles reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"Great fun! Received a days blacksmithing for a birthday present and thoroughly enjoyed it. Made a poker and tongs for my fireplace with the aid of patient and good humoured direction from Mort. Terrific teacher with plenty of anecdotes, but always professional and attentive to the task in hand. I have a sneaking suspicion this may well become an expensive hobby...."

22 Dec 14'

Arjan reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"Mort is a knowledgeable and skilled blacksmith, a very nice guy, and he helped me make a bunch of customised woodworking tools (adzes) while introducing me to blacksmithing. As this was my first taste of the trade... I am impressed. And I will most certainly be back. Thanks Mort!"

22 Dec 14'

Dan Mannion reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"An absolutely fantastic day! Mort was very patient and a great teacher. Plus a very clever and fascinating man, we had some very interesting conersations"

25 Nov 14'

Shelagh reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"The journey to Firebird was fantastic as we drove through trees of orange and mist shrouded hollows. Mort's knowledge of the surrounding countryside was amazing and made the day for one of us, when he said that Poo Corner was literally, round the corner. His patience with 3 fairly pathetic females was first rate, matched only by his bravery as he held the chisel close while I wielded a 4lb hammer. Thankfully, missing both his hands and head, he's gone on to teach again. Oh yes, and the blacksmithing bit was good too!"

24 Nov 14'

Toni reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"A thoroughly enjoyable day. A very relaxed and informative day with a few laughs thrown in too. Mort was very patient and provided support ithout making me feel like a complete plank . I will definitely be back in the new year..."

23 Oct 14'

Simon reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"I booked this course after meeting Mort at a craft fair and through his enthusiam I thought I'd like to give that ago, so I booked it, and what a fantastic day Mort is a great teacher, full of enthusiasm and his knowledge on the subject and his attention to detail is superb. All I can say if you are thinking about booking then don't wait just do it! Hope to come back soon. Thanks"

20 Oct 14'

Jason reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"Thanks for letting attend the Firebird Forge!"

12 Oct 14'

Tom Jenkinson reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"The one day course was well tutored, very informative and highly enjoyable. I can recommend this course to anyone."

5 Sep 14'

Mike Todd reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"Fantastic day and have already started building my own forge! Mort is a great teacher, full of enthusiasm, patience and an absolute mine of knowledge. I got this day for my birthday and will deffinitly be going back once my own set up is up and running. Thanks Mort. P.S will need to tap your knowledge about the best way to make a truyer as they're a bit out of my price range new!! thanks again and see you soon Mike P.P.S already used the forge tongs I / we made so great tools to make on the day if anyone is in need of ideas"

22 Jul 14'

Libby Hadden reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"This course is amazing, I would recommend to anyone that wants to know more about blacksmithing and try their hand at creating something of their own, mort is very talented and has a great way of teaching. Will keep my creations (knife and S-hook) for years to come."

22 Jul 14'

Lee reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"Brilliant day! Had this day bought as a birthday gift and it was a gift that will last with me forever. Such an experience to try my hands at such a skilled trade. Seeing how Mort creates such amassing things was fantastic, you can really appreciate the art. Mort was a great teacher and very patient with a complete novis. Even on the hottest day of the year and then adding the heat of the forge he made time to help when things weren't going to plan and made the day very enjoyable. Made a great knife with a leaf pattern which I was very happy with. Would definitely do this again."

20 Jul 14'

Guy reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"We had a very interesting day at the Forge, and learnt a great deal about blacksmithing from Mort. Mort is a very enthusiastic teacher, and you get stuck into the practical side very quickly. Everyone came away with something they had made, which is a nice way to remember the day."

20 Jul 14'

Dominic reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"I spent the day at Firebird Forge as part of a stag party of seven. Mort was able to get us all working within half and hour and coaxed some unexpectedly competent pieces of ironwork out of everyone by the end of the day. He is highly skilled, very knowledgeable and extremely engaging. We all had a fantastic day and now have a profound respect for the craft of Blacksmithing."

20 Jul 14'

Jamie reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"I went to Mort's forge for a stag do and must admit I was very unsure how the alternative to paint balling or go karting would go and was more then pleasantly surprised. Mort is a master crafts man with an impressive knowledge of blacksmithing. He explains all the processes and techniques very clearly, and even with 7 guys in the forge working at the same time, was able to get around to everyone and give advice and help when things were going wrong. Everyone walked away with something. Very worth while."

20 Jul 14'

Tim Cartwright reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"Fascinating! I am still amazed that I managed to make anything! Mort was the perfect tutor and was at hand to guide me through the processes that he taught us whilst we were with him. Watching Mort work was quite amazing, to create such delicate and intricate items out of a plain steel bar was a sight to behold, he also has some very interesting family history stories!"

20 Jul 14'

Henry reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"I took 6 friends to spend the day with Mort. Great success. Mort's knowledge and talent was quickly evident but what impressed me the most was the way Mort treated a bunch of novices. After a quick but vital tutorial it was all hands on and everyone could work at their own pace. Nothing seemed too much trouble for Mort. Lovely setting. Fascinating workshop. We'll be talking about this trip for years. Many thanks Mort!"