Kerr Forge reviews

17 Apr 24'

Dan reviewed: Forge a Knife- Blacksmithing and Knifemaking Experience Day

"Quite possibly one of the best experience days I've ever attended! Jon is a top bloke who delivered an amazing session and has now got me wanting to return for another go. I loved learning the techniques required to craft my own knife and it was great to use some new, exciting tools as well as some familiar ones too. It's great to have brought home something truly unique that I have crafted myself - even the blisters from hours of hammering are a treasured reminder! This is an extremely enjoyable course and I would most definitely recommend it and I'm already sketching ideas for my next piece. Thank you, Jon, for an amazing day."

14 Apr 24'

Nicholas Almaas-Jacobsson reviewed: Forge Your Own Wedding Rings- Blacksmithing Experience Day

"Excellent wedding ring making course. Jon was very approachable and helpful, giving all the necessary info, but also let you crack on and do your own work. Lovely setup and very relaxed, but professional atmosphere. Cheers Jon for an awesome day."

31 Mar 24'

Callum Davey reviewed: Forge a Knife- Blacksmithing and Knifemaking Experience Day

"A brilliant day all-round. Jon is an excellent teacher and is completely invested in your success. I came in with a rough idea of what I wanted to make and he helped me clarify and then execute it. The forge is a great space and you can have plenty of time to make your knife. Jon stayed late to help me finish and was fantastic throughout. "

23 Oct 23'

Remi Dangerfield reviewed: Forge a Knife- Blacksmithing and Knifemaking Experience Day

"Had a great day. Jon is very nice and great teacher. You leave the forge wanting to do more and a knife to show for the day! Great experience!"

22 Aug 23'

O. G. reviewed: Forge a Knife- Blacksmithing and Knifemaking Experience Day

"I gave this as a gift to my husband and he had a fantastic time making his knife from scratch. He really enjoyed the whole process and found Jon to be a great teacher and very interesting."

10 Aug 23'

Sarah Athol reviewed: Couples Date Day- Best Date Ever!- Blacksmithing Experience Day

"We had a lovely day with Jon. So helpful and calm, nothing was too much trouble. Highly recommend the couples day. Thanks Jon"

8 Jul 23'

Sandra Billham reviewed: Forge Your Own Viking Jewellery- Blacksmithing Experience Day

"I did a Viking jewellery course in June. What a brilliant day! Jon is a fantastic teacher and an interesting man to talk to. He explained all the processes as the day went, and recommended different finishes. In the end I made three bangles, a pendant and a ring. I will definitely be returning "

13 May 23'

C Brightwell reviewed: Forge a Knife- Blacksmithing and Knifemaking Experience Day

"Was a very enjoyable experience, friendly teacher great at explaining everything."

6 Apr 23'

Tim Naik reviewed: Forge a Knife- Blacksmithing and Knifemaking Experience Day

"Fantastic day from start to finish.. You get properly involved in the whole process and expertly guided through the journey from. A lump of rough Steel and a block of wood to a honed and hardened knife with sculpted handle. Jon is great and makes the whole day a pleasure. "

23 Jan 23'

Dareen Taylor reviewed: Couples Date Day- Best Date Ever!- Blacksmithing Experience Day

"This was a fantastic experience day that my wife and I thoroughly enjoyed. John was a great host, friendly, flexible, supportive (even when I messed up) and in the end I felt like we had a real taste of blacksmithing and the joy of making something with fire and hammers! Would definately recommend to anyone with even a passing interest. John's passion for the subject is clear and will inspire you"

21 Jan 23'

Sian & Stef reviewed: Forge Your Own Wedding Rings- Blacksmithing Experience Day

"Just finished making our wedding rings with Jon at Kerr Forge. We'd previously visited on a knife making course and both times Jon was an excellent host and a great teacher - knowledgeable and patient. We are both so happy with the rings we've made and can't wait for the wedding so we can start wearing them. Thanks Jon! "

11 Jan 23'

Dan reviewed: Forge a Knife- Blacksmithing and Knifemaking Experience Day

"We had a fantastic day. It was a great experience. I absolutely love learning new things and Jon is an excellent teacher. His mix of engineering expertise, chemistry and physics knowledge, mastery of the smithing toolset, wonderful personality and friendliness was just great! Also his wife’s sausage rolls are to die for! I have already recommended this course to a load of friends. I will definitely bring my son for a smithing course and will be back to make a Damascus Steele knife. "

21 Nov 22'

Jon Martindale reviewed: Forge a Knife- Blacksmithing and Knifemaking Experience Day

"Bought a one-day knife making course for my brother and I, as a birthday present for him. Had a great day with Jon at the Kerr Forge. We both made excellent, fully complete, knives by the end of the day and had a real laugh with Jon whilst making them. Jon used just the right level of instruction and intervention for us. Helping when we needed it, and then just letting us get on with it when we were happy. Would definitely recommend"

17 Nov 22'

John Pike reviewed: Forge a Knife- Blacksmithing and Knifemaking Experience Day

"I went on a knife making course at Kerr Forge with a friend as a birthday gift from my wife. Jon Kerr is very knowledgeable and passionate about what he does, also fun and easy to get on with. We started the day around 9am and worked almost nonstop until 6.30. Jon was not prepared to let us leave without a finished blade. I enjoyed the day immensely as did my friend and we were both very pleased with what we achieved and the knives we produced. A good introduction into forging techniques and the chemical processes that take place in the metal when heated."

14 Nov 22'

Suzanne Foster reviewed: Forge a Knife- Blacksmithing and Knifemaking Experience Day

"Thanks for Mike's day. He had a great time and is really pleased with his knife. He felt you were very easy to get on with and a good tutor. He would thoroughly recommend the experience. "

14 Nov 22'

Gavin Dupee reviewed: Forge a Knife- Blacksmithing and Knifemaking Experience Day

"Just fantastic in every way. Jon was very friendly helpful and knowledgeable, and his workshop felt like home! Super pleased with my knife and the experience. Great day! Lunch was also top. All power to Kerr Forge!"

24 Oct 22'

John D reviewed: Forge a Knife- Blacksmithing and Knifemaking Experience Day

"Fantastic experience from start to finish! Jon is extremely knowledgeable, patient and helpful throughout. All round great guy. The course was fascinating - great combination of theoretical learning and practical application. Delighted with the end result and I would highly recommend to anyone. "

18 Oct 22'

Marc Orlando reviewed: Forge a Knife- Blacksmithing and Knifemaking Experience Day

"A brilliant experience that far exceeded my expectations to say the least. Jon is a great teacher who achieves the perfect balance between stepping in, and letting you get on with exploring your creativity and developing your skills. As as result, I am genuinely proud of the knife I was able to make under his guidance, and in his perfectly appointed forge. Thank you Jon for a great day. "

18 Oct 22'

Adam Side reviewed: Forge a Knife- Blacksmithing and Knifemaking Experience Day

"If you have any interest in Blacksmithing, bladesmithing or just want a fun day out doing something practical, do this course. It’s a brilliant way to spend a day and I enjoyed my day from start to finish. Jon’s teaching style is fun and informative, he tells you clearly and concisely what you should be doing and if required gives a short practical demonstration, then it’s over to you. Thankfully Jon remains close at hand ready to step in if needed. It is a full on day and you spend your whole time working on your knife, heating, hammering, quenching, drilling, grinding and sanding, but there is also time to chat. I particularly enjoyed learning a little about how the physical state of the metal I was working on was changing during the course various processes we subjected it to and also hearing some of Jon’s blacksmiths anecdotes. I was impressed with the knife I produced, it’s fair to say that when I got home my wife was astounded with it. Top tip, select the option for Jon’s home made packed lunch, his wife’s sausage rolls are outstanding."

2 Oct 22'

Martin W reviewed: Forge a Knife- Blacksmithing and Knifemaking Experience Day

"Absolutely fantastic! Jon is brilliant, I am/was a total beginner and was guided through everything in a very easy way. I had great fun and also ended up with an awesome knife for the kitchen. I had a great day and will 100% be back for more. Thank you. "

3 Sep 22'

Jon Z reviewed: Forge a Knife- Blacksmithing and Knifemaking Experience Day

"Top 1-1 day at the forge. Really didn’t know what to expect as it was a present but really enjoyed. Super relaxed but informative from Jon. I made a lovely kitchen knife to the shape I wanted. I felt totally safe in his hands and picked up some bits pretty quickly while others took a little more guidance. Be prepared as it’s a physical on your feet kinda day but that’s what I was expecting. Can’t wait to use the new knife in the kitchen."

31 Aug 22'

Yiannis reviewed: Forge a Knife- Blacksmithing and Knifemaking Experience Day

"I attended the Forge a Knife- Blacksmithing and Knifemaking Experience Day earlier this year and can honestly say it was one of the best organised experiences I have been on! You know how you turn up to some other experiences (like a driving one) and it's a bit naff and disappointing? This was not like that at all! You get stuck in within minutes! Jon is friendly and informative. He guides you when necessary but also leaves you to your own devices so you don't feel like you are being micromanaged. You can forge pretty much whatever knife you want, from a classic kitchen knife to your own custom design (I took a printout with me). There was a huge selection of woods to choose from for the knife handle too. Overall, a fantastic experience and a great way to spend the day! Highly recommended."

29 Aug 22'

Pete B reviewed: Forge a Knife- Blacksmithing and Knifemaking Experience Day

"I had a brilliant day, and it was a full day. Forged a 7.5 inch carving knife and made the teak handle as well. Loved every minute. It was the perfect counter point to a busy life. I've always been facinated by forge work and there is some family history behind it all as well. It was excellent just chatting and learning about the process and putting my own very basic skill to the test. The homemade sausage rolls were amazing too. Thank you so much."

22 Aug 22'

HappyHammerer reviewed: Forge a Knife- Blacksmithing and Knifemaking Experience Day

"My sons bought me the “Forge a Knife- Blacksmithing and Knifemaking Experience Day” for my birthday. It’s a really brilliant experience day largely due to the skills of Jon not only in blacksmithing but in his skills as a teacher. Not only does he explain what to do and how, if asked, he will also explain the science behind the process he takes you through. I think the best praise I can give is that I was working with Jon for 9 hours and it felt more like 30mins I was so absorbed in what I was doing. Be warned, there’s currently a 6 month lead time on these experience days as they are understandably so popular. "

21 Aug 22'

Callum Wilsn reviewed: Learn the Basics of Blacksmithing and Forging- Beginner Experience Day

"I highly recommend anyone who has an interest in taking up blacksmithing to take this course! Jon is an excellent teacher and very knowledgeable. Very much enjoyed my time and will be taking up blacksmithing using all the basic skills Jon has taught me! "