Beginner Blacksmithing: Decorative Hooks and More – June 28, 2025

Learn some of the most utilized blacksmithing fundamentals from Joe Vachon (joetheblacksmith.com), a self-employed blacksmith and bladesmith since 2007, and the Season 6, Episode 27, Forged In Fire Champion, in this 1 day, hands-on course. Safety, body mechanics, tools, and the working properties of hot steel will be addressed, as well as various techniques, such as: tapering, scrolling, twisting, bending, drilling, punching, hot cutting, flat peening, upsetting, and shouldering. Students will start out practicing the basics with the forging of a few decorative hooks for the first half of the class. During the second half of the class, folks are welcome to practice making more hooks or create something of their choosing with their newfound skill-set, such as (but not limited to) a fire poker, meat turner, door handle, dinner bell, letter opener, necklace pendant, or an experimental piece.

What to wear/safety equipment :

-Cotton pants and long sleeved shirt (synthetics are potentially flammable).

-Leather boots (NO open toed sandals/shoes-tennis shoes are not recommended for safety). Make sure your pants fit over the tops of your boots so nothing hot can fall in.

-Safety glasses and ear plugs. Long hair must be tied back.

-Leather gloves to protect your hands and a notebook to take notes.

-Bring a water bottle to stay hydrated, and snacks if you want.

PLEASE PLAN TO ARRIVE 30 MINUTES BEFORE CLASS IS SCHEDULED SO EVERYONE CAN GET SET UP.

SELECT NUMBER OF TICKETS NEEDED THEN “GET TICKETS”