About Our Classes

If you’re new to Adam’s Forge, we’d love for you to start with a Discovery class! It’s your gateway to all our other offerings, unless specified. Read about safety measures and more below.

What To Know Before You Sign Up

All students must be prepared to wear full PPE, including safety glasses, ear protection, and when appropriate, face coverings that cover both the nose and mouth. If you feel ill or have been exposed to Covid-19, please DO NOT attend.

If you have any special needs that may require accommodation, please call the office at (323) 303-4522 or email blacksmithclasses@gmail.com for assistance.

We require new students to take one of our Discovery classes before taking any other class unless specified. So if you’re a new Adam’s Forge student, start by signing up for a Discovery class!

​All minors must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times, although the adult does not need to take the class or open forge.

FAQ

Please note that COVID-19 health protocols are in place. These include:

Limiting our class size to ensure 6′ of distance between workstations.

Conducting all of our demonstrations in a way that students and instructors can practice safe distancing.

Students are requested to bring – and wear – a 100% cotton or surgical mask at all times.

Eye protection is mandatory. Students may bring their own safety glasses, or we can provide a new unused pair at no additional cost.

Gloves are optional. We recommend that students bring a pair in case they have trouble getting hot pieces in and out of the forge. Gloves may be purchased at the beginning of class from Adam’s Forge for $7.00. Students are encouraged to bring cash or a check if they wish to purchase something.

We have facilities for handwashing and hand sanitizer available in the shop.

For everyone’s safety we ask that students NOT to attend class if they are feeling sick, have any of the CDC listed COVID-19 symptoms or have been in contact with someone with COVID-19. If you are experiencing Covid-19 symptoms let us know and we will provide you with a refund.

Take a look at the CLASSES page. Sign up for one of our DISCOVERY classes. This is our entry-level blacksmithing class. This 4-hour class covers an introduction to the forge and tools, safety, and the fundamental techniques of blacksmithing. Once you have completed Discovery, you can continue with our other classes or come into work on your own projects in Open Forge.

750 E. Easy Street

Simi Valley, CA 93065

See below for directions.

Yes. Our class size is strictly limited and often fills up. Unfortunately, if you come without preregistering, you are taking your chances of being turned away.

If you have hearing protection and eye protection, bring it, otherwise we have for you to borrow. Also water to drink is a good idea. It can get hot! Feel free to bring blacksmithing equipment you own, but we recommend not buying your own tools until after a couple of classes so you can see what you like. We have the tools that you will need for our classes unless noted in the class description.

Cotton or wool shirt and long pants, closed-toe leather or canvas shoes. Natural fibers, NO synthetics, please.

While forge welding is part of our Tools and Techniques classes, we do not offer a program in gas or electric welding at this time. Please see our links page for the locations of local welding schools.

Adam’s Forge requires students to be at least 12 years old to take classes. Students between the ages of 12 and 17 must be accompanied by an adult at all times while working at the Forge.
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In addition to the power tools and hot surfaces at the Forge, students will work at forges and with metal that reach 2000 degrees (your broiler is probably 500). Even black metal that looks like it is cold can still be 800 degrees. Forging is also physically challenging and while a student does not need to be particularly strong, they do need to have the hammer control and stamina to forge for the duration of the class. In our experience we have found that children younger than 12 can get frustrated during the minimum four-hour class and usually become tired before the class is over – two factors that affect their safety as well as the safety of those around them.

We would be happy to have you observe the Open Forge nights and Level 1 class to see if you are interested in what we have to offer. Unfortunately, for safety reasons, you will need to stay outside the classroom. This will limit what you can actually see, but you will get an idea of what is involved. Contact us to arrange a visit.

We do not have farrier classes at this time. The Tools and Techniques classes will teach you the skills to shape metal into a horse shoe. But not trimming the hoof and fitting the shoe.

Skill is required, not brute strength. We spend a lot of time showing you how to use a hammer to its best effect.

You will learn the skills to turn a piece of metal into a sword-like shape. Actually crafting a piece of high carbon steel with the correct temper into a sword that will not shatter with the first use usually takes years of practice. We do offer blade classes.

  • If you are truly interested in making a knife or other blade, we highly recommend the following:
  • Take a Discovery Class
  • Take at least one Letter Opener class. This will teach you for forge a blade shape in mild steel.
  • ​Attend several Open Forges and make letter openers until you have good hammer control and can forge the shape.
  • Then take a blade class or arrange a private class to make your blade.

Please note that we have a 7-Day Cancellation Policy for all our classes and Open Forge sessions after which we are not able to process a refund. Students who withdraw at least seven days prior to the first scheduled session of a class will receive a full refund, minus the non-refundable $50 registration fee ($20 for Open Forge sessions). No portion of tuition will be refunded if a withdrawal is made less than seven days before the class start date. So, if your cancellation is not Covid related, please let us know sooner rather than later! Feel free to contact us with any questions. If you are feeling sick, please let us know and we will provide you with a refund. Additionally, if you have been in contact with someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days, please do not come to class.

Directions to Adam’s Forge

We have moved, again, as of 6/11/23!

750 E. Easy Street
Simi Valley, CA 93065

Safety

Metal working involves a certain amount of inherent risk. Many of the tools and techniques used at Adam’s Forge are capable of causing great bodily harm and even death (and certainly pain). Metal is hard, often sharp, sometimes hot (over 2,000 degrees F). Tools can burn, cut and abrade. These are merely examples and not a complete list of dangers. If we are all aware and use safe practices we can minimize those dangers, hence the need for a safety policy.

Each smith is responsible for their own safety, as well as the safety of others nearby. Participants must have instructor clearance before they use any tool.

Required

HYDRATION: If you’re not sweating you’re probably not doing it right. Water works perfectly!

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING

COTTON, WOOL, and LEATHER: Nonflammable material is REQUIRED at all times. Tee shirts and jeans are perfect.

FOOTWEAR

LEATHER, COTTON: Nonflammable and with the toes covered to protect the feet from the constant production of hot and sharp metal fragments which rain down on the feet constantly is REQUIRED at all times. A steel toe is optional and provides protection against a dropped hammer or work piece. Boots, with the pants outside the boot top will prevent the hot and sharp metal fragments from getting in and burning your feet.

Optional

GLOVES: Are optional when working at the forge. Cuts and burns are frequent when working with metal. Gloves will protect your hands and forearms. However, gloves can be dangerous when working with powered machinery that can catch the glove and pull your hand into the machine. It is recommended to have a pair available. We have gloves available for you to buy.

When working with hot material the glove should be loose so it can be quickly removed if it becomes too hot. A glove cannot be used when wet as it will transmit heat very quickly. You don’t want to steam your hand. Rubber or plastic gloves cannot be used as they will melt onto the skin causing severe burns. Gloves are not usually needed when using tongs to handle the hot material.

KEVLAR GLOVES AND MITTS: Provide excellent heat and cut protection. More expensive than leather.

COTTON mill gloves are quite acceptable although they are somewhat less heat resistant.

LEATHER GLOVES, MITTS, and GAUNTLETS: Leather provides good protection from cuts and fair protection from heat. With prolonged heat exposure they will deform. Gauntlets, also known as welding gloves, extend partway up the forearm and provide extra protection. No part of the glove should be flammable as is common with cheaper gloves which are only part leather.

​APRON: An apron is optional. Excellent heat, abrasion and dirt protection. It can be heavy and expensive. Available as a full (bib) or half length.

COTTON (DENIM): Light weight, inexpensive, and provides good protection against dirt. It is poor at heat protection but adequate to start learning.