Introduction to Blacksmithing

Blacksmithing, the skillful art of heating metal in a forge until it's glowing yellow-orange and becomes soft enough to shape with a hammer, tongs, anvil, and other tools, is experiencing a major renaissance. BARN is pleased to help perpetuate this ancient art with forge and blacksmithing classes.

In this class you will learn some of the basic skills needed to proceed in the art and science of blacksmithing. We will begin with forging a simple hook that you can put on the wall for hanging a hat or a coat. As you learn to coordinate hammer control on the anvil, you’ll build skills including flattening, drawing out, splitting, bending, twisting, and piercing iron that has been heated in the forge. These basic skills will lay the foundation for many of the projects that you can pursue in future classes and open studios.

In addition to safety and best practices, we will cover:

• Discussion of “smithing” and the main types: forging (sometimes called "sculpting"), welding, heat-treating, and finishing
• Practice drawing by using forge, anvil, and hammers to create a traditional clothing hook.

Details 

• We'll meet outside on the concrete apron adjacent to the welding shop double doors. The class will be postponed in the case of severe cold, heavy rain, or high winds.
• Enrollment is currently limited to three students due to space limitations.
• If you have questions, contact  David Hays at metal.programming@bainbridgebarn.org
• BARN will provide personal protection equipment.

Materials

Class Policies

Instructors or Guides