What you’ll do
over two days
1
When you arrive
On arrival, you’ll be signed in and introduced to the smith who will talk through the course step-by-step and help you select which design you would like to make. We’ll discuss what you want to achieve for the day before providing you with protective equipment and a safety briefing.
2
Firing up the forge
The forge will have been lit and heating up before you arrive, so it’s ready to go! You will get an introduction on how to control and maintain the fire of the forge to a forging heat.
3
The Forging Process
We’ll start off by introducing you to the power hammer (a piece of equipment, not a staff member) and we’ll show you how to safely operate the machine. You will then heat up your billet, cleaning with brushes and coating with borax. Once the billet is up to temperature, you will begin the welding process. This is achieved by using a mix of heat and pressure from the power hammer to turn your multiple layers of steel into one. You can then choose to manipulate the pattern of your knife through twisting – you heat up the knife, clamp it in a vice and twist the steel bar. Your billet is then drawn into a bar suitable for forging your knife.
4
Choosing a Handle
When deciding on a handle, bear in mind that ‘woodwork is homework’ – alternatively, you can forge a handle out of steel that does not require any additional work at home. If you would like a wooden handle please remember you’ll need to make this at home.
5
Finishing
After hardening the knife, it is then cleaned using belt grinders, sandpaper and abrasive stones before being tempered and cleaned again. Here is where your blade will be etched, to reveal the pattern of your knife it must be soaked in acid then the final edge is applied.
6
Photo Time
It’s great fun working alongside one another and crafting something unique! Once the forging is complete, it’s time to pose for those all-important photos at our wooden stage!
GUIDELINES FOR TAKING PART
Our experience day packages are physically demanding and have the potential for minor injury. Therefore, please seek advice from your doctor or our booking team if you’re unsure.
Be sure to dress accordingly, remembering that in the colder months it can get pretty chilly inside the workshop, despite the fires! Please wear long trousers and suitable footwear.
Make sure you follow the guidance on our website and what’s sent to you ahead of the event. And always listen to the instructions of our expert team on the day.
AVAILABILITY
The Forge is open all year round, seven days a week. Our online booking system will show you the availability in real time. Please be aware that weekends should be booked well in advance!
HOW BOOKING WORKS
Our online booking system is easy to use and allows you to choose a time and date that suits you. Once confirmed, you will receive an email with all the details you need, as well as an important form to complete.
HOW PRICING WORKS
The price of this booking covers up to two people making one Damascus knife during two full-day sessions. That’s right, add an extra person for free to join you!
We welcome groups of friends to come and take part together – simply adjust the number of people when making your booking.
If you’re buying a voucher, the voucher will entitle the recipient to two full-day sessions making one knife.
Reviews
Amazing experience!
The guys who work there are super friendly and make the whole process really enjoyable! We were there for the knife-making experience (Helen teaching us) and it was just fantastic. We’ve come away with two awesome kitchen knives! Would 100% go back to make something else!
Excellent day on the Knife making experience
The instructors are excellent, very helpful and you finish the day with a big sense of achievement.
Outstanding place!
The wife and I went to make a knife, just for fun of course and we had a superb day. The instructors are calm, knowledgeable and friendly, and are always on hand to help out with any minor problems and answer any questions, no matter how daft they sound. Big shout out for Madison. Great sense of humour, informative and an easy person to trust, even around red hot, stabby things. I would recommend a day here to everybody who wants an unusual and memorable experience.
eat Fun. Learned new skills and made a cool knife!!
Just returned from an excellent two-day experience making a pattern weld knife. I have never done anything like this before however the instruction and the guidance was great and meant that by the end of the experience I had a really cool kitchen knife. thoroughly enjoyed it.
Explore Our Other Experiences
Meet the Experts
Joe is our Forge Manager. He has seen the business grow from a small workshop to what you see today! He has a degree in product design, but his passion […] Joe is our Forge Manager. He has seen the business grow from a small workshop to what you see today! He has a degree in product design, but his passion has always been history. Joe wanted to take the love of making things and his passion for history and smack them together… literally!
Josh first discovered blacksmithing when he was on a trip to Dover Castle and saw a smith making arrowheads and fell in love with the craft. He did his initial […] Josh first discovered blacksmithing when he was on a trip to Dover Castle and saw a smith making arrowheads and fell in love with the craft. He did his initial training at Canterbury College and then his BA(HONS) in artist blacksmithing in Hereford. Josh comes from Deal in Kent and moved to Hereford and began teaching the craft at Oldfield Forge in the summer of 2022. His interests include Dungeons and Dragons and archery.
Ben has been at Oldfield for many years. He was one of the first teachers and has seen the number of students increase greatly! Ben has been blacksmithing for over […] Ben has been at Oldfield for many years. He was one of the first teachers and has seen the number of students increase greatly! Ben has been blacksmithing for over 12 years and has an active role as our social media manager. Some of his hobbies include Norman era reenactment in which he became a world-famous (now dead) meme.
Ianto has been blacksmithing for 4 years. He first got the idea of being a blacksmith after watching Lord of the Rings. He wished he could learn to shape metal […] Ianto has been blacksmithing for 4 years. He first got the idea of being a blacksmith after watching Lord of the Rings. He wished he could learn to shape metal into different forms and stunning works of art that can be seen throughout the movies. When he finished high school he knew he wanted to go into a profession that could lead him to make movie props. Ianto went to Holme Lacy College and studied traditional blacksmithing, from there he left and found his way to Oldfield Forge. During his time at Oldfield, he has picked up the nickname Ianto Tanto, for the fact he enjoys teaching the Tanto’s and using the traditional Japanese smithing techniques.