September 25, 2023
Private Discovery Letter Opener Workshop
Prerequisite: None. This is an introductory workshop Date: September 25, 2023 Time: 12 PM - 4 PM Location: Adam's Forge The Letter Opener is a Discovery workshop as well as a prerequisite for all of our blade workshops. This project teaches techniques that are useful in a wide range of blacksmithing projects. You'll learn how to work with slightly larger stock, and be introduced to the proper choice and use of tongs to hold the hot steel. You'll use the vise and a twisting wrench for the handle, and practice tapering and turning scrolls as well. In forging the blade, you'll learn about full-face and half-face hammer blows. Finally, you can apply a hot wax finish to protect your letter opener.November 08, 2023 - November 11, 2023
Broken Back Seax
Date: November 8, 9, 10 & 11 2023 Time: 9 AM - 5 PM Location: Adam's ForgeSchedule: Wednesday through Saturday, 11/8/23-11/11/23 from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
There is an hour meal break in each session.
The Seax is an historical blade that was widely used throughout Northern Europe from the late Roman to the early medieval period. It was the EDC, and blade of choice of its time, and archeological examples vary in size from a few inches to sword length.
In this 4-day workshop, we’ll be making a classic Anglo-Saxon broken back design comprised of 4 pieces: the blade with a through tang, a brass bolster, hardwood handle and brass butt cap.
Adam’s Forge instructors Will Larranaga and Dossain Valencia will guide you through design considerations, forging dynamics, heat treating, cutting, and filing the bolster and butt cap, shaping the handle, blade grinding and final assembly. The emphasis will be on forged to finish smithing and participants can expect to finish a 6-8 inch Seax.
Prerequisites: Discovery Letter Opener plus Introduction to Bladesmithing or two or more blade classes.
This workshop takes place over 4 consecutive days and students must attend all sessions.
Please note: All classes are released for member-only early registration for one week before they're available for general registration. If you're unable to add this class to your cart, you can wait for general release or join our membership program at any time!October 15, 2023 - October 28, 2023
Chef’s Knife
Date: October 15, 21, 22 & 28 2023 Time: 9 AM - 5 PM Location: Adam's Forge Please note: This class takes place over four separate weekend afternoon/evening classes. Session 1: 10-15-23 from 9:00am - 5:00pm Session 2: 10-21-23 from 9:00am - 5:00pm Session 3: 10-22-23 from 9:00am - 5:00pm Session 4: 10-28-23 from 9:00am - 5:00pm Students must attend all sessions.Back by popular demand, Adam’s Forge volunteer instructor Tom Pricone offers his chef's knife class. Tom’s combined passion for cooking and blacksmithing led him to create a number of distinctive kitchen knives over the past several years.
In this class, Tom will be assisted by our excellent staff instructors as he shares some of the lessons he’s learned while refining his style as a bladesmith. This chef’s knife will bear some of Tom’s distinctive touches, combining the Brut de Forge style in which the hammer marks are left unpolished near the spine of the blade along with a traditional, octagonal Japanese Wa hidden-tang handle. Other design options include use of liner material to add color to the handle and your choice of several different hardwoods.
In keeping with our overall approach to bladesmithing, the emphasis in this class will be on forged to finish blades with minimal stock removal necessary. The impact of design choices on overall functionality, balance, wrist, and hand fatigue will also be explored. From forging to heat treating, grinding, polishing, handle construction and fit-up, students will have clear instruction and expert assistance each step of the way.
Rugged, refined, respected. This cutlery exemplifies functional, elegant beauty. If you’re serious about making knives, this class is not to be missed!
Prerequisites: Letter Opener Discovery plus Introduction to Bladesmithing or 2-3 of our blade classes.
This class is 8 hours long with an hour meal break.
Please note: All classes are released for member-only early registration for one week before they're available for general registration. If you're unable to add this class to your cart, you can wait for general release or join our membership program at any time!November 24, 2023 - November 25, 2023
Bowie Knife
Prerequisite: Letter Opener Discovery - see comments for more advisory information Date: November 24, 2023 & November 25, 2023 Time: 9 AM - 3 PM Location: Adam's Forge Please note: This workshop takes place over two consecutive days. This class is scheduled as two consecutive sessions starting at 9 am. Students must attend both sessions. Each session will run approximately 6 hours with an hour meal break. The Bowie knife is the stuff of American legend - join us to create this historic knife that was carried by soldiers and frontier explorers throughout the West! Adam's Forge instructor Gary Standke will lead this workshop. We will provide all the blade steel, guard metal, and wood handle materials as well as the grinding belts and finishing materials. On day one, the students will learn to forge the knife blade and tang using one fourth of a farrier's rasp. Traditionally, high carbon steel was difficult to find on the frontier and these knives would have been made from whatever was available. Farrier's rasps were often available and repurposed into blades. After forging the blade, students will learn to forge and fit the blade guard. Then, they’ll learn to rough grind the blade. On day two, students will continue rough grinding and will then learn to harden and temper the blade. After this we will move onto the final grinding to get to a razor edge if desired. Then comes the final assembly of the blade, guard and handle to complete the knife. Students will leave class with a completed knife. You'll find this is an excellent all-purpose knife! Prerequisites: This workshop is for the experienced student. Students should be confident in hammer control and basic forging skills. This is not a workshop for beginners. The ideal student has experience working with high carbon steel and/or heat treatment either by taking tooling classes with us and/or the equivalent in Open Forge. Precise forging and close monitoring of steel temperatures will be required for success. All students must also have completed Letter Opener Discovery with us. Tools: Students do not need to bring tools; we have everything that you will need. However, if you happen to have the following, please bring them so that you’ll have the opportunity to use your own! Coarse files (i.e., 12-inch File Set, 4 Pc. from Harbor Freight) Tongs for ¼ inch x 5/8 inch stock This workshop is scheduled for the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving, and will run from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, with a one-hour break for lunch, each day. Students need to attend both dates. Please note: All workshops are released for member-only early registration for one week before they're available for general registration. If you're unable to add this class to your cart, you can wait for general release or join our membership program at any time!December 16, 2023 - December 17, 2023
Turk’s Head Marlinspike
When: December 16, 2023: 4:00pm-8:00pm
December 17, 2023: 10:00am-2:00pm
Where: Adam’s Forge
Prerequisite: Any Discovery workshop
Note: This class takes place over two consecutive days. Students must attend both days.
A Marlinspike is a tapered iron pin that was used by sailors of old to do just about every manner of work on the ship’s rigging. Come to Adam’s Forge to learn how to make your own and learn some marlinspike seamanship as well!
This class is perfect for anyone interested in learning how to forge a tool of their own the way they would have made it back during the age of sail! On day one we will forge our own marlinspikes with Lead instructor, Dossain Valencia of Adam’s Forge and prep them for day two with our guest instructor Marc Casebolt. With Marc you’ll learn how to put in a Turks head knot on your marlinspike to not only create the handle but also put in a decorative covering knot to show off your knotwork prowess.
After your two days here you’ll be able to set foot on any sea vessel with your newly forged marlinspike worthy of its salt. Show your friends, show your crewmates!
Marc has been tying decorative knots since he was about 12 years old. After finding the Ashley Book Of Knots on his father’s bookshelf, he was hooked on the beauty and symmetry of what is called Marlinspike seamanship, which is the term for all knot work developed and used by the old time sailors. Marc is now a retired engineer and has the time to devote much more effort to the craft. Much of his recent work is now on display at the Channel Island Maritime Museum in Oxnard Ca, where he has been a volunteer for over 7 years. He now teaches knot tying to anyone who will sit still, listen, and give it a try!
Please note: All classes are released for member-only early registration for one week before they're available for general registration. If you're unable to add this class to your cart, you can wait for general release or join our membership program at any time!November 18, 2023
Spangenhelm with Tony Swatton
Date: November 18, 2023 Time: 9 AM - 5 PM Location: Adam's Forge Instructor: Tony SwattonPlease note: All workshops are released for member-only early registration for one week before they're available for general registration. If you're unable to add this workshop to your cart, you can wait for general release or join our membership program at any time!Tony Swatton has been the armorer to the stars for many years. From Captain Hook’s infamous hook, to Jack Sparrow’s blade or the Armorer’s tools and weapons in the Mandelorian, you’re looking ant Tony’s work.
We are so fortunate to have Tony lead a workshop in making a Spangenhelm at Adam’s Forge.
This ancient style of helmet was worn in Viking times and beyond. Made of a band that encircles the head with two more that cross, the resulting 4 open spaces are filled with 4 pieces of cut and formed sheet and everything is riveted together.
With Tony’s expert help you will learn the basics of design, patternmaking, cutting & forming the metal, punching, drilling and riveting the elements together. More experienced smiths should take home a wearable Spangenhelm to impress your friends and frighten your enemies. And everyone will leave with the skills and pieces to be able to finish their piece at home or back in the forge at an Open Forge session.
Prerequisites: Any Discovery Workshop. Those with some sheet metal and smithing experience will have greater success.
Note: we’ve scheduled an Open Forge to follow this workshop for those intrepid smiths who want to keep working. Not yet a member? You can sign up here and have access to Open Forge sessions.
This workshop runs from 9:00am – 5:00pm with an hour meal break.
October 27, 2023
Copper Mask Exploration
Date: October 27, 2023 Time: 10 AM - 4 PM Location: Adam's Forge Prerequisites: None; this class is suitable for beginners. However, some hammer skills will make this class more rewarding and less frustrating. Note: this is not a Discovery class.Just in time for Halloween! Enjoy letting your creativity run while learning some of the essentials of forming copper sheet. This will be a wild workshop of taking flat sheet and making a 3-dimensional copper mask. We’ll get to use some of the wonderful tools generously donated from the estate of John Fusco.
Adam's Forge’s own Heather McLarty and Will Larranaga will cover some of the same skills and knowledge used to form vessels, armor, the Statue of Liberty, and other sculptures. Skills include cutting and dressing the sheet, annealing copper, work hardening, using stakes and other tricks of the trade.
This class is open to all skill and experience levels. Come ready to jump in, learn, and be creative.
This class runs from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm with an hour meal break.
Please note: All classes are released for member-only early registration for one week before they're available for general registration. If you're unable to add this class to your cart, you can wait for general release or join our membership program at any time!
October 01, 2023
Kiridashi
Date: October 1, 2023 Time: 2 PM - 9 PM Location: Adam's Forge Instructor: Dossain ValenciaThe Kiridashi is the original Japanese utility knife that has historically been used by Samurai and peasants alike. It’s both light and strong, suitable for a variety of uses. If you’ve taken the Letter Opener Discovery class, this is a perfect follow up project to build your bladesmithing skills.
Here, you’ll practice precision forging, learn some of the important considerations in blade design and have a chance to try different texturing methods. This blade is made from tool steel, so you’ll be heat treating, grinding, polishing and hand sharpening as well.
Prerequisite: Letter Opener Discovery Class
This class runs from 2:00pm – 9:00pm with an hour meal break.
Please note: All classes are released for member-only early registration for one week before they're available for general registration. If you're unable to add this class to your cart, you can wait for general release or join our membership program at any time!
December 17, 2023
Paring Knife
Date: December 17, 2023 Time: 9 AM - 3 PM Location: Adam's Forge Instructor: Kent Lulewich Prerequisite: Letter Opener Discovery WorkshopJoin us to create a paring knife to use in the kitchen or take on your next picnic. This is a high carbon steel knife made from 80CRV2 steel.
We start by creating the handle section that you can size to fit your hand perfectly. Then the blade is forged and heat-treated. Lastly, we will grind it to the level of sharpness you desire.
The handle will be cord wrapped for both comfort and durability. We will discuss other handle options you can try on your own.
While we will not have time in this class to make a sheath, we will show you examples so you can do this on your own.
You will leave with a complete knife, ready to use.
Tools: Students do not need to bring tools; we have everything that you will need. However, if you happen to have the following, please bring them so that you have the opportunity to use your own!
Coarse files (i.e. 12 inch Heavy Duty Set from Harbor Freight)
Tongs for ¼” x ¾” stock
Class runs from 9am - 3pm with a one hour meal break. Please note: All workshops are released for member-only early registration for one week before they're available for general registration. If you're unable to add this class to your cart, you can wait for general release or join our membership program at any time!October 29, 2023
Skeleton Bottle Opener
Prerequisite: Any Discovery Class or Letter Opener class Date: October 29, 2023 Time: 9 AM - 3 PM Location: Adam's ForgeInstructor: Dossain Valencia
This class runs from 9 am-3 pm, with a one-hour break for lunch.
Today we will make a ghoulish tool for the kitchen or any party. We’ll forge this from mild steel and apply a wax finish.
The project starts by drawing out the steel as you did in the Discovery Day Class. This taper will be bent around and back to create a bottle opener.
Then the fun begins as we form the skeleton. We start by using a guillotine tool (how appropriate) to form the neck and waist. Then we work on the face and chest. You’ll have plenty of opportunity to make it your own.
Once formed, a wax finish is applied to protect the steel from kitchen abuse.
Much fun to be had by all and you will have a tool that you’ll definitely want to make again and again, as gifts for all your friends.
Skills learned: Tapers, bending over the horn, using tooling for decoration, and finishing.
Please note: All classes are released for member-only early registration for one week before they're available for general registration. If you're unable to add this class to your cart, you can wait for general release or join our membership program at any time!
September 23, 2023
Forge-welded Spoon
Date: September 23, 2023 Time: 9 AM - 3 PM Location: Adam's Forge Instructor: Becky Schimpff Prerequisite: Any Discovery ClassDo you need an extra-special spoon for measuring out your coffee in the morning? Have you taken a few classes and are eager to level-up your blacksmithing skill set? Are you interested in working towards your CBA or ABANA Level 1 blacksmithing certification? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this class is for you! Come join us to learn how to make forge-welded spoons!
In blacksmithing, we are always trying to figure out how to get mass where we need it to get the shapes we want. In the case of a spoon, we need sufficient mass at the end of our bar. One option is to use larger stock and forge down what will become the handle, leaving material for the spoon. But that’s exhausting! An easier method is to forge-weld material at the end of the bar to add mass.
In this class we’ll teach you the techniques for a folded forge-weld and then spend time practicing. Once you get the hang of it, we’ll move on to making spoons. You’ll learn how to use the peen of your hammer to spread material and techniques for dishing the metal into a spoon shape. We’ll also look at some different handle options and you can choose your own design. You’ll come home with one or more spoons to use and of course to show off to family and friends!
The forge-welded spoon is one of the requirements for earning the CBA and ABANA Level 1 certification, we can sign you off with a successfully completed spoon.
This class will be taught by instructor Becky Schimpff. Becky is passionate about blacksmithing education. She is currently on the CBA Education Committee and teaches all levels of the National Curriculum for both CBA and ABANA on Zoom and in-person at education events.
Class runs from 9am - 3pm with a one hour meal break. Please note: All classes are released for member-only early registration for one week before they're available for general registration. If you're unable to add this class to your cart, you can wait for general release or join our membership program at any time!December 29, 2023
Kiridashi
Date: December 29, 2023 Time: 9 AM - 4 PM Location: Adam's Forge Instructor: Dossain ValenciaThe Kiridashi is the original Japanese utility knife that has historically been used by Samurai and peasants alike. It’s both light and strong, suitable for a variety of uses. If you’ve taken the Letter Opener Discovery class, this is a perfect follow up project to build your bladesmithing skills.
Here, you’ll practice precision forging, learn some of the important considerations in blade design and have a chance to try different texturing methods. This blade is made from tool steel, so you’ll be heat treating, grinding, polishing and hand sharpening as well.
Prerequisite: Letter Opener Discovery Class
This class runs from 9:00am – 4:00pm with an hour meal break.
Please note: All classes are released for member-only early registration for one week before they're available for general registration. If you're unable to add this class to your cart, you can wait for general release or join our membership program at any time!
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Adam’s Forge is supported, in part, by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture.
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