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Intermediate Blacksmithing with Joe Vachon: Forging a Dragon’s Head July 27th, 2025 9am-1pm

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Broaden your blacksmithing skills with 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.

You will learn to sculp a dragon’s head on the end of a bar of steel; learn how to pre-form the head by hammer and anvil, chisel out the beard, ears, mouth and teeth; punch the eyes and nostrils; and form additional details that will bring it; and new possibilities in your work, to life.

***It is recommended that you are somewhat proficient with the craft to get the most out of this class. Taking a beginner class prior should adequate.***

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” 

Intermediate Blacksmithing – Forging a Dragon’s Head

By

Broaden your blacksmithing skills with 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.

You will learn how to make the punches and chisels needed to sculp a dragon’s head on the end of a bar of steel; learn how to pre-form the head by hammer and anvil, chisel out the beard, ears, mouth and teeth; punch the eyes and nostrils; and form additional details that will bring it -and new possibilities in your work- to life.

***It is recommended that you are somewhat proficient with the craft to get the most out of this class. Taking a beginner class prior should adequate.***

Note about safety – Wear cotton pants and shirt (synthetics are potentially flammable). Make sure your pants fit over the tops of your closed toe shoes or boots so nothing hot can fall in. Safety glasses and ear plugs are available, or bring your own. Bringing your own leather gloves is a good idea. Bring a water bottle to stay hydrated.

 

SELECT NUMBER OF TICKETS NEEDED THEN “GET TICKETS” 

Beginner Bladesmithing – Forging Knives to Shape

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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 be 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.

Note about safety – Wear cotton pants and shirt (synthetics are potentially flammable). Make sure your pants fit over the tops of your closed toe shoes or boots so nothing hot can fall in. Safety glasses and ear plugs are available, or bring your own. Bringing your own leather gloves is a good idea. Bring a water bottle to stay hydrated.

Beginner Blacksmithing – Decorative Hooks and More

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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 new found 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

Note about safety – Wear cotton pants and shirt (synthetics are potentially flammable). Make sure your pants fit over the tops of your boots so nothing hot can fall in. Safety glasses and ear plugs are available, or bring your own. Bringing your own leather gloves is a good idea. Bring a water bottle to stay hydrated.

 

SELECT NUMBER OF TICKETS NEEDED THEN “GET TICKETS” 

Blacksmith Demonstration

Darryl Nelson, third generation resident Blacksmith for Timberline Lodge, demonstrates and talks about his art.

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