Blacksmithing is an ancient skill that allows to transform a mundane piece of raw bar or steel sheet into a functional and beautiful piece of artisanship. It is an elemental craft, shaping a piece of iron that is the earth itself. Using a coal fired forge and simple tools such as anvils, hammers, tongs and chisels, we teach students to forge, taper, bend and embellish shapes in metal.
The students experience the excitement of forming a glowing hot piece of steel into something that is usable: a hook, a fireplace poker, or kitchen implements like ladles and forks. At first, students may be frustrated by forging and the immediacy of working with hot metal quickly before it cools. They will soon gain confidence in their capacities and overcome that initial frustration in the process of learning to think ahead and acting on what is needed in the moment.