Beginner Bladesmithing with Joe Vachon: Forging Knives to Shape-September 21, 2025 9am-1pm

***PLEASE NOTE: Ticket sales will close on September 15th. If you miss the deadline, email us at blacksmithing@cascadiaart.org and we will see if we can fit you in***

Forge your own knife with simple tools with Joe Vachon (joetheblacksmith.com), a self-employed blacksmith and bladesmith since 2007, and Season 6, Episode 27, Forged in Fire Champion, in this 1 day, hands-on course.

In this class we will be exploring the rudimentary hammer techniques used, step by step, to forge a knife blade to shape from scrap steels with very little use of a grinder. This class is centered around the clever techniques of ancient smiths melded with the minimal help of modern tools. Research the “Neo-Tribal Bladesmithing” movement and “Tai Goo” for more info on this philosophy and methodology.

You can expect to learn how to forge a point on the end of a bar, flatten your blade to its final thickness with a distal taper, create a counter-bend, forge your bevels, shape an all-steel handle, clean up your work with a file and/or small grinder, heat treat by eye, and sharpen on a stone.

We will start by using mild steel for a practice knife, then move up to high carbon steel to help your progression as a novice smith. We will also inevitably be discussing and demonstrating what goes into proper heat treating and learn about various types of blade geometry and their applications.

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 5 MINUTES BEFORE CLASS IS SCHEDULED SO EVERYONE CAN GET SET UP.

SELECT NUMBER OF TICKETS NEEDED THEN “GET TICKETS”