Spend a day learning traditional knife making at Old Pound Smithy in North Devon. Working with a coal-fired forge, hand-operated bellows, hammer and anvil, you’ll learn how to forge a knife blade from high-carbon steel using traditional blacksmithing techniques.
Starting with the basics of controlling the fire and working hot steel, you’ll gradually shape your blade, developing the bevels, profile and hidden tang. With guidance from our blacksmiths, you’ll also learn about hardening and tempering the steel to produce a functional cutting edge.
By the end of the day, you’ll have forged your own knife blade and prepared a wooden handle blank, ready to glue and finish at home. With your own forge and anvil, you’ll get plenty of hands-on experience throughout the day.
No previous blacksmithing experience is needed.
What you’ll do
Your day begins with an introduction to the forge, tools and techniques used in traditional knife making. You’ll learn how to light and control your coal fire using hand-operated bellows, recognise the correct working temperatures and safely handle hot steel.
Working at your own forge and anvil, you’ll begin shaping your knife blade from a piece of steel. We’ll guide you through forging the blade profile, forming the bevels and drawing out the hidden tang that will eventually fit into the wooden handle.
You’ll also learn about the heat treatment process, including hardening and tempering, and how these techniques affect the strength and performance of your blade.
We’ll help you fit your blade into a wooden handle blank using the traditional burn-in method. You’ll take your knife and handle blank home, ready for the final gluing and shaping.
Throughout the day, our blacksmiths will demonstrate each stage and offer individual guidance, giving you plenty of time to develop your hammering skills and work at your own pace.
Perfect for beginners
u don’t need any previous blacksmithing or knife-making experience to take part in our one-day knife making course.
We’ll introduce you to the tools and techniques step by step, demonstrating each stage before you try it yourself. With your own coal-fired forge and anvil, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to practise and develop your skills, with our blacksmiths on hand to offer guidance throughout.
Knife making brings together several traditional forging techniques, from shaping and tapering steel to creating bevels and understanding heat treatment. It’s a rewarding introduction to the craft, and there’s something particularly satisfying about turning a simple piece of steel into a knife you’ve forged yourself.
What you’ll make
During your one-day knife making experience, you’ll forge your own knife blade from a piece of steel, shaping the profile, bevels and hidden tang using traditional hand tools.
You’ll have some freedom to develop the shape of your blade while working within a design that’s achievable in a day. We’ll guide you through the forging and heat treatment processes, helping you understand how to create a practical, functional knife.
You’ll also be supplied with a wooden handle blank, which we’ll help you fit to the tang using the traditional burn-in method.
At the end of the day, you’ll take home your forged blade and fitted handle blank, ready to glue together and shape into your finished knife. This final stage can be completed at home using basic hand tools.
Who Is the One-Day Knife Making Experience For?
Our one-day knife making experience is ideal for anyone interested in traditional crafts, working with their hands or discovering how a knife is forged from high-carbon steel.
Whether you’re a complete beginner, a keen maker or simply curious about blacksmithing, you’ll enjoy the challenge of forging your own blade using traditional tools and techniques.
The course is suitable for individuals, couples and small groups, with everyone working at their own forge and anvil. It also makes a memorable gift for someone who enjoys practical, hands-on experiences.
Book Your One-Day Knife Making Experience
Ready to forge your own knife using traditional blacksmithing techniques?
Choose an available date below and book your One-Day Knife Making Blacksmithing Experience at Old Pound Smithy in North Devon.
All tools, materials and safety equipment are provided. No previous blacksmithing experience is needed, and you’ll take home your completed knife at the end of the day.
Want to try more blacksmithing?
Enjoyed the idea of forging your own knife? Our Two-Day Knife Making Course takes things further, giving you time to forge a full-tang blade, fit wooden handle scales and take home a fully finished knife.
You could also try our Two-Day Axe Making Course, where you’ll forge and handle your own axe using traditional techniques, or explore a different side of the craft with our Forged Geometry Sculpture Course.
Browse our full range of traditional blacksmithing experiences, or give someone the opportunity to try forging for themselves with an Old Pound Smithy gift voucher.
Explore our full range of blacksmithing courses to find the experience that interests you.
