Hammer and Hound Forge reviews

Phil reviewed: Damascus Steel Knife forging

"Truly great experience. Alex is a fantastic teacher on this slick & well practiced course. He allows you to learn through experience and truly make your own knife while stepping in when needed to demonstrate and keep everyone on track. Absolutely worth it for the experience alone but you also get a beautiful knife to use for years to come. "

William Gowdy reviewed: Axe / Hammer Forging Day

"Had a brilliant time, highly recommend if you have an interest in Forging. Very beginner friendly and a lot of fun. Will be looking at going back as soon as I can to make a hammer :)"

Reece porritt reviewed: Axe / Hammer Forging Day

"Brilliant experience, enjoyed every minute of the day. Passionate instructor who really made me feel at ease, he was really welcoming and took care of us. "

Mark reviewed: Axe / Hammer Forging Day

"Fantastic experience, highly recommend the course to anyone, you learn so much and Alex is brilliant and takes all the time you need to be confident and answers any question you might have. 10/10 excited to go back!"

Pete Kerr reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners Day

"My wife and I booked onto this and had a thoroughly great time! Alex talked us through the various tasks and techniques and had a nice balance between letting us try things and providing support. We made a poker and fire rake, a couple of edgy bottle openers and some door hooks. It's a well set up forge with quality tools and equipment. I was a little worried that it would have been 'health and safety gone mad' but in the end it was very safe but allowing us to get on and make things. The things we managed to make were surprisingly complex for absolute beginners! Thoroughly recommend!"

Kevin Forth reviewed: Beginners Knife Forging Day

"Fantastic course - beginners knife making. Alex is great, very relaxed, very thorough and very knowledgeable! I had an idea of the knife I wanted to make and it was made with Alex's guidance at each step of the process. Although slightly different to the knife I set out to make, my knife changed through the process of making my original idea and that's part of the beauty of hand making something - it's even better than what I had in mind! I would definitely recommend Alex, Hammer and hound and I will be back to make something equally awesome!"

Andrew reviewed: Axe / Hammer Forging Day

"Axe making course was great. This is the second course I’ve done with Alex at Hammer and Hound Forge and I’m going to be booking another. Not only is he an expert craftsman with loads of time and patience helping those on the course, but you get to come away with a really useful tool that means all the more because you’ve made it yourself. "

Ross reviewed: Beginners Knife Forging Day

"Excellent course, highly recommend it. He's a great teacher and everyone came away with a great knife"

Duncan McNulty reviewed: Beginners Knife Forging Day

"I had a great day doing knife making with Alex. He was very knowledgeable and able to give clear instructions which made completing each step surprisingly simple. As expected, safety was a big thing but he managed to make it not get in the way and the atmosphere was one of fun throughout the day. Any time I got stuck with something Alex was there within moments ready to jump in and help without feeling like he was constantly watching over me. Overall I was very impressed with the set up of the whole day and also that he managed to get a great looking, completed knife out of my inept hands. I would recommend anyone interested in giving blacksmithing a good go to have a try of this course. You won’t regret it."

Mark Robinson reviewed: Beginners Knife Forging Day

"Attended the knife making workshop- wow what a great day! Alex was really switched on, very skilled, knowledgeable and a great communicator. Thoroughly enjoyed the day, as did the other four people on the course. I would highly recommend this, irrespective of if you have any experience or none, like me. Made a great knife I felt very proud of 😀 Would be very keen to attend another of the workshops, maybe an axe next time!! - Thanks Alex"

Peter Goodbarn and Dylan reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners Day

"We thoroughly enjoyed Alex's one day beginners course, especially my Grandson. We both learned a lot which was all down to Alex's patience and deep knowledge of Blacksmithing. We look forward to the next course. "

Philip reviewed: Damascus Steel Knife forging

"This course was absolutely awesome. I turned up a beginner to blacksmithing – the course was a gift from my wife – and slightly concerned about the suggestion that some experience would help. Alex was endlessly patient, letting me find my way but jumping in occasionally to stave off disaster or guide me in the right direction at key moments. The result was a handsome chef’s knife with beautiful rippling Damascus patterns, and it’s sharp too! Four participants was ideal. There’s plenty of space in the forge and we got into a nice rhythm working round the various power tools. Lots of work with an angle grinder, so it helps if you have used one of those before. Looking back, Alex crammed a great deal into two long, hot and grimy days. It was amazing. Go on, treat yourself. "

Steve Heckels reviewed: Beginners Knife Forging Day

"Fantastic day with Alex guiding me through the process of making my own knife. Great atmosphere, professional instruction but with plenty of laughs along the way. I would recommend this course to anyone as Alex makes sure everyone gets the support they need ."

Graham Clark reviewed: Beginners Knife Forging Day

"Thoroughly enjoyable day, well led by Alex. His knowledge and ability is quickly apparent and he helped all of us throughout the course, showing where we had gone wrong and helping us to make corrections. He explained all of the safety risks, demonstrated necessary techniques and how to use the various machines and allowed everyone to get on with their own knife making. I was very pleased with my end product made using tools and techniques I hadn’t used before. Congratulations on running an interesting and memorable course. "

Jim reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners Day

"Excellent day, cheers Alex!!"

Dave Wilson reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners Day

"Had a fantastic day with Alex , he is a very skilled and knowledgeable Blacksmith, I learnt a great deal which is down to his passion and enthusiasm for his craft, I would highly recommend this course."

Martin reviewed: Axe / Hammer Forging Day

"I had a great day. Alex was a welcoming, enthusiastic teacher, explaining each step as we came to it. It was a great introduction to hand-making tools and also to the tangibility of working with metal. I came away with new understanding and a new axe. I would happily do this again. "

Hammer and Hound Forge responded:

"Thank you martin! I'm really glad you enjoyed the day and I hope your axe sees lots of use! All the best Alex"

Lauren F reviewed: Beginners Knife Forging Day

"I gifted my dad the blade-smiths day course and the feedback was amazing. He had a superior day, it was well run and such a good day! His final product was amazing, and well worth it. He is now dropping hints about how he’d like to do the Damascus course!! "

Jayne and Richard reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners Day

"We had a great day learning some basic blacksmithing skills with Alex. I liked his emphasis on safety in what is a pretty alien environment for us but also his enthusiasm and attentiveness as a teacher. He was very patient despite my pretty appalling hand eye coordination! I'd definitely recommend this as an experience. You’ll be proud of what you make and will have a tiring but fun day out. "

Amber and Max reviewed: Beginners Knife Forging Day

"Really good course. Teaching and explanation were excellent. Very attentive instructor who even went the extra mile to help make a specific type of knife. Would recommend. "

Kristofer reviewed: Axe / Hammer Forging Day

"It was great doing it again. Got all the kit you need, he knows his stuff and shows you step by step how do it. Good parking. Well skilled in this great art."

Steven reviewed: Axe / Hammer Forging Day

"An excellent day, not overly physical so suitable for most people and with plenty of one on one support. Would highly recommend."

Simon reviewed: Axe / Hammer Forging Day

"A thoroughly excellent day with brilliant tuition and support "

Barry Armstrong reviewed: Axe / Hammer Forging Day

"I had a fantastic experience at Hammer and Hound Forge whilst taking part in my axe making course yesterday. Alex the blacksmith was very professional and friendly. I would definitely take part in another course at Hammer and Hound Forge."

Yvonne & son reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners Day

"Alex was a great tutor, kind and thoughtful to help each of us get what we wanted to achieve. Clear instructions, non-judgemental and brilliant at showing my teen that there are ways to succeed in life if you're worried about your school's emphasis on GCSEs. Set up is good too - lots of space to work, kitchen & loos on site and a sunny spot out the back to eat your packed lunch. Thanks Alex "