Beginner Blacksmithing with Mark Aspery: Gate Latch August 11&12th, 2025

Level one final project – Gate latch

The project consists of the tapered staple, the latch and the keep. Hot forged.

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, ear plugs, and a dust mask. 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.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR Mark Aspery:

I currently own and operate my own school for blacksmiths in California, USA. My training as a smith began after leaving high-school in the UK, after starting work at a small fabrication & engineering firm that boasted a blacksmith shop. Over the years, I have worked for several smiths, as well as teaching in trade schools.

A certified journeyman smith with the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths, and currently an Associate of the company (AWCB); I’m also a certified farrier with the American Farriers Association (AFA). Although I maintain that these qualifications and a Dollar/Pound will only get you a cup of pretty-poor tasting coffee/tea, but that the endeavors were priceless.

Currently, I’m writing a fourth volume in my ‘How to’ blacksmith book series, “The Skills of a Blacksmith”. I’m careful not to call myself a traditional smith, perhaps classical is a more apt phrase. I do not take any regular commission work, just the occasional small job, I am quite out-of-touch with that side of the profession, but I have put of lot of effort into teaching blacksmithing, and that is how I am known in the profession.

I’m as much a student of blacksmithing as the next smith, and always ready to learn more, taking classes where and when I can; with a subject this vast, how can I say anything else.