Workshops

Introduction to Blacksmithing: Theory and Practice with Peter Haarklou

Session 1, May 24 through May 28 (one week)

In this intensive one week workshop, students will be introduced to and hone their skills in the basics of forge work. Using primarily hand tools, Peter will present exercises and projects to build experience and confidence in this foundational craft. This class will provide the basic skills to participate in more advanced classes at the school.

Skill level: Basic

Sculptural Forms in Iron with Haley Woodward

Session 2, May 31 through June 11

This class will focus on collaborative work for a group project. The instructor will lead students through his design and technical research process, and together with the class will create a free-standing sculpture to be installed at the school. Haley is excited to interpret his artistic style through the school’s unique facility and share the experience with students. Class members will work in teams with set tools and sledge hammers at the anvil. Haley will also share his personal approach to using power hammers and associated tooling for developing sculptural forms.

No materials fee for this class.

All skill levels

Wild Iron: Smelting and Geological Connections with Jeffrey Funk and Nick Tomlin

Session 3, June 14 through June 25

In this workshop we’ll explore the elemental process of making wrought iron from ore using the bloomery process The class will involve collecting ore from an abandoned mining area in central Montana, digging native clay for building the furnaces, and making charcoal from wood harvested on the school property. We will focus on cultivating an intimacy with the materials used, and awareness of where the essential ingredients originate. Participants will engage in a process that for much of mankind’s history (before centralized industry) was a community scale endeavor to produce an essential material.

No materials fee for this class.

All skill levels

Pattern Welded Chef’s Knives with Jordan LaMothe

Session 4, July 5 through July 15

This workshop will include all aspects of creating an extraordinary pattern welded chef’s knife: Making the pattern welded billet, forging and welding of the blades, grinding, heat treating, designing and making handles, along with etching and finishing. Please see Jordan’s detailed description.

All skill levels

Hand Tools for Farm and Garden with Jeffrey Funk

Session 5, July 19 through July 30

In this class participants will forge a variety of tools for working the earth, including hoes, trowels, and forks. Prior experience in blacksmithing will be a definite asset for participants in this class however, the basic techniques of forging and heat-treating tools will be thoroughly covered. Some students may choose to make related tools such as sickles and carving tools.

All skill levels

Making Axes with Jeffrey Funk

Session 6, August 2 through August 13

This class will focus on the making of woodcutting axes: Forging, heat treating, and the carving and fitting of handles. We will forge one-piece single bitted axes (with polls), one-piece double bitted axes, as well as folded and welded polled single bit axes. The starting point of design will be from classic American axe forms, with students free to design and forge patterns of their own.

Skill level: intermediate to advanced

Introduction to Blacksmithing Fundamentals with Peter Haarklou

Session 7, August 16 through August 20 (one week)

In this intensive one week workshop, students will be introduced to and hone their skills in the basics of forge work. Using primarily hand tools, Peter will present exercises and projects to build experience and confidence in this foundational craft. This class will provide the basic skills to participate in more advanced classes at the school.

Skill level: Basic

Blacksmith's Tools with Jeffrey Funk

Session 8, August 23 through September 3

This class will cover the basic forging of blacksmithing hammers and tongs. Materials selection, forging, and forms will be addressed, along with heat treating and finishing. Each participant can expect to leave with a nice set of the hand tools required for blacksmithing in any setting, as well as the skills to make more.

All skill levels