Join us for a hands-on decorative blacksmithing course at Old Pound Smithy in North Devon. During this half-day experience, you’ll learn traditional forging techniques using a coal-fired forge, hand-operated bellows, hammer and anvil, while creating your own steel hook with a hand-forged leaf detail.
With guidance throughout, you’ll learn to shape and texture hot steel, combining practical blacksmithing skills with a little creativity to produce something unique to take home.
What you’ll do
You’ll begin by learning how to light and control a traditional coal-fired forge using hand-operated bellows. We’ll introduce you to the essential tools and techniques of blacksmithing, including heating, hammering, drawing out and shaping steel at the anvil.
With demonstrations and guidance from our blacksmiths, you’ll forge a decorative steel hook incorporating a hand-forged leaf. You’ll learn how to taper and shape the steel, create the leaf form and add texture using traditional hand tools.
By the end of the session, you’ll have made your own finished hook to take home, along with an understanding of the skills involved in traditional blacksmithing.
Perfect for beginners
No previous blacksmithing experience is needed. This half-day course is designed for complete beginners who want to try traditional forging while making something both practical and decorative.
We’ll demonstrate each technique before you try it yourself, with guidance throughout. You’ll work at your own coal-fired forge and anvil, giving you plenty of hands-on experience as your hook and leaf take shape.
What you’ll make
You’ll make a decorative hand-forged steel hook featuring a leaf formed from the same piece of steel.
Using traditional blacksmithing techniques, you’ll draw out and shape the metal, forge the leaf and add texture with hammer marks to bring out its detail. The finished piece combines a practical hanging hook with the character of handmade ironwork.
Every hook will be slightly different, reflecting the way you’ve worked the steel. You’ll take your finished piece home at the end of the session.
Who is the Half-Day Hook with Leaf Course for?
This half-day blacksmithing experience is ideal for anyone who enjoys making things by hand and wants to try a traditional craft.
It’s particularly suited to beginners interested in creative metalwork, combining practical forging techniques with the more decorative skills involved in shaping a steel leaf.
Whether you’re coming on your own, with a partner or as part of a small group, you’ll enjoy a hands-on introduction to blacksmithing and leave with something you’ve made yourself.
It also makes a thoughtful gift for someone who enjoys traditional crafts and learning new skills.
Book your Half-Day Hook with Leaf Experience
Ready to try your hand at traditional blacksmithing?
Choose an available date below and book your Half-Day Blacksmithing Experience at Old Pound Smithy in North Devon.
All tools, materials and safety equipment are provided, and you’ll take home both pieces you forge during the session.
Want to try more blacksmithing?
If you’d like to spend a full day at the forge, our One-Day Blacksmithing Experience gives you the opportunity to develop your skills further and tackle a larger project.
We also offer traditional knife-making and axe-making courses, along with creative forging workshops where you can explore decorative ironwork and sculpture.
Explore our full range of blacksmithing courses to find the experience that interests you.
