Spend two days at Old Pound Smithy in North Devon learning to forge your own knife from raw steel. Working with a traditional coal-fired forge, hand-operated bellows, hammer and anvil, you’ll shape the blade, fit a wooden handle and take home a fully finished knife made by your own hands.
On the first day, you’ll learn to control the forge and work hot steel at the anvil, developing your blade shape and creating the full tang that runs through the handle. We’ll guide you through the traditional processes of hardening and tempering the blade, explaining how heat treatment gives the steel its working properties.
The second day focuses on finishing your knife. You’ll fit and secure oak handle scales, shape the handle for a comfortable grip and refine the blade’s cutting edge using traditional hand tools and our old-fashioned grinding stone. By the end of the course, you’ll have a functional knife with its own individual character.
No previous blacksmithing experience is needed. With your own forge and anvil, a small group and guidance from our blacksmiths throughout both days, you’ll have the opportunity to learn traditional skills and experience the satisfaction of making a knife from start to finish.
What you’ll do
Your first day begins with an introduction to the smithy, the tools and the traditional techniques you’ll be using. We’ll show you how to light and manage your coal-fired forge using hand-operated bellows, recognise the correct working temperatures and safely shape hot steel at the anvil.
Working at your own forge and anvil, you’ll begin transforming a piece of steel into a knife blade. You’ll learn to draw out and shape the steel, forge the bevels and form the full tang that will eventually support your wooden handle. There’s room to explore different blade shapes while working within a design that can be completed over the two days.
We’ll guide you through hardening and tempering your blade using traditional methods. You’ll learn how to judge the temperature of the steel by its colour, understand the importance of heat treatment and prepare your blade for the final stages of knife making.
On the second day, you’ll turn your forged blade into a finished knife. You’ll prepare and fit oak handle scales, secure them with pins and adhesive, then carefully shape and smooth the handle. Using traditional hand tools and our old-fashioned grinding stone, you’ll refine the blade and sharpen its cutting edge.
Throughout the course, our blacksmiths will demonstrate each technique and provide individual guidance. By the end of the second day, you’ll leave with a fully finished, hand-forged knife and an understanding of the traditional skills involved in making it.
Perfect for beginners
You don’t need any previous blacksmithing or knife-making experience to join this course. We’ll introduce you to the tools and techniques step by step, starting with the fundamentals of working hot steel before progressing through the different stages of making your knife.
With your own coal-fired forge and anvil, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to practise traditional techniques, experiment with different shapes and develop your ideas. Our blacksmiths will demonstrate each stage and provide individual guidance throughout the day.
With small groups, your own forge and anvil, and guidance from our blacksmiths throughout both days, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to practise and develop your skills. Whether you’re completely new to the craft or have tried blacksmithing before, we’ll help you create a knife you can be proud of.
What you’ll make
Over the two days, you’ll create your own fully finished, hand-forged knife with a full-tang blade and solid oak handle scales. Starting with a piece of raw steel, you’ll forge, heat treat, shape and finish your knife using traditional blacksmithing and hand-tool techniques.
There’s scope to develop your own blade shape, whether you prefer a practical utility knife, a traditional hunting-style blade or something with a more individual character. We’ll help you choose a design that works with the techniques you’ll learn and can be completed within the course.
Your oak handle scales will be fitted, pinned and shaped by hand to create a comfortable grip that complements your blade. You’ll also have the choice of retaining some of the dark forged texture on the steel, giving your finished knife a distinctive handmade appearance.
By the end of the second day, you’ll take home a complete, sharpened knife made from start to finish by your own hands. Every knife is different, reflecting the choices you’ve made and the traditional skills you’ve learned along the way.
Who Is This Experience For?
This course is ideal for anyone interested in traditional crafts, knife making or learning practical skills. Whether you’re a keen maker, enjoy working with your hands or have always wanted to forge your own blade, it’s an opportunity to experience the complete process of making a knife from raw steel.
It’s equally suitable for complete beginners and those who’ve already tried blacksmithing and would like to develop their skills further. The two-day format gives you time to explore blade design, learn traditional forging techniques and finish a knife that’s entirely your own. It also makes a memorable gift for someone who enjoys hands-on experiences.
Book Your Two-Day Knife Making Course
Ready to forge your own knife using traditional blacksmithing techniques?
Choose an available date and book your Two-Day Knife Making Course at Old Pound Smithy in North Devon. Over two days, you’ll forge your own blade, fit an oak handle and create a fully finished knife using traditional hand tools.
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 second day.
Want to try more blacksmithing?
Interested in knife making but looking for a shorter introduction? Our One-Day Knife Making Experience gives you the opportunity to forge your own blade using traditional techniques, with a wooden handle blank to finish at home.
If you enjoy working with hot steel and want to tackle a different challenge, our Two-Day Axe Making Course takes you through the process of forging an axe head and shaping and fitting its wooden handle. Alternatively, our Forged Geometry Sculpture Course offers a more creative approach to traditional blacksmithing.
Explore our full range of traditional blacksmithing courses to find the experience that interests you, or give someone the opportunity to try forging for themselves with an Old Pound Smithy gift voucher.
