Hammer and Hound Forge

Contact name: Alex

392
Total bookings

Rating

(127)

about 2 years
with CraftCourses

Maker's bio

Hammer and Hound Forge is a traditional blacksmith's workshop in Blyth, Northumberland, Uk owned by award winning blacksmith Alex Sowden, who you might have seen before on Sky Arts' "The Prince's Master Crafters", or BBC1's "Make It At Market". We offer a variety of experiences in metalwork for all skill levels, including tuition in welding and fabrication, forging damascus steel, jewellery techniques and much more! We produce kits of hand forged woodworking supplies, as well as tools for other crafts, though our stock is often forged on commission. We also take on larger work, such as forging gates and railings, overthrows, staircases and all variety of ironwork. If you have any questions for us, please get in touch!

Courses, kits & gifts

platinum award

BLYTH

Axe / Hammer Forging Day

1 day

Next date: 16th Nov 2025

1 place left

(27)

£175.00

platinum award

BLYTH

Beginners Blacksmithing Day

1 day

Next date: 22nd Nov 2025

1 place left

£149.00

platinum award

BLYTH

Beginners Knife Forging Day

1 day

Next date: 18th Jan 2026

5 places left

(35)

£155.00

platinum award

BLYTH

Damascus Steel Knife forging

2 days

Next date: 29th Nov 2025

1 place left

(14)

£349.00

platinum award

BLYTH

Forging your own tongs!

1 day

Next date: 14th Dec 2025

2 places left

£175.00

Recent reviews

All maker's reviews

6 Nov 25'

Sam B reviewed: Beginners Knife Forging Day

"As enthusiasts of the TV series Forged in Fire, I purchased this experience as a birthday present for my husband. We completed the beginner’s knife forging day with Alex, and we couldn’t have asked for a better instructor—especially with this being our first time forging. Alex was high-energy from start to finish, with a great balance of seriousness and lighthearted fun in his teaching style. He’s immensely knowledgeable, and his passion for the trade is unmistakable. That passion also shone through in his interactions with us—ensuring our safety, helping us understand the forging process and tools, and guiding us to create quality pieces we’re proud to have made and will cherish for years to come. I would definitely recommend this class. It was an authentic, hands-on experience, and even with effort required by the nature of it's craft , it was incredibly enjoyable all around. "

3 Nov 25'

Eimear reviewed: Archive, DO NOT LIST

"We had the fantastic day doing the beginner blacksmithing course! Alex is so welcoming and friendly and clearly passionate about what he does. The day was fairly physical but he was more than happy to help out when I started to struggle, which meant I could finish all three items. I would totally recommend this course to anyone, I had absolutely 0 experience or knowledge of blacksmithing before and still made 3 pretty good pieces!"

2 Nov 25'

Shiv N reviewed: Beginners Knife Forging Day

"I booked this course with 2 other friends and we found it hugely enjoyable. Alex was a friendly, welcoming and supportive teacher and took the time to engage with each attendee and give them individual advice and assistance, ensuring that we all left with a usable knife by the end of the day. I'd love to book another of his courses again in the future, and would really recommend this experience to anyone and everyone who might be tempted to give blacksmithing a go."

2 Nov 25'

Ross reviewed: Archive, DO NOT LIST

"The beginners blacksmithing course is great fun! Alex is a fantastic teacher and demonstrates what over a decade of experience looks like. He is patient and encouraging, even when you burn your metal. Anyone looking for an experience like this should definitely give this course a go!"