BLACKSMITH ADVENTURES
Silverton Train People - Walk-ins Welcome!
BLACKSMITH CLASSES
Mini-Sword - 15 Minute Class $20
Have you ever wondered what forging metal was like? This class provides participants who may never have had an opportunity to heat and beat metal before, a chance to see what it's like. The Mini Sword is a fast and fun class. Participants transform a nail into a miniature sword. This class is a proven winner for ages 5 and up. Everyone succeeds! Plus they walk away with a finished product all in about 15-20 minutes.
Small Twist Hook - 30 Minutes $30
For those who have always wanted to try their hand at blacksmithing but aren't sure they can go the distance, the Small Twist Hook is the perfect project. Students will take a straight stick of 1/4 inch by 4 inch steel and transform it into a sturdy 3 inch hook. This project takes most students about 30 minutes to complete. The smaller material size requires less hammering than the Large Twist Hook project. This makes it an ideal project for those 10 and up.
Letter Opener - 30 Minutes $30
In this 30 minute blacksmith class, students build a functional letter opener while they have fun learning to forge iron. The project starts out as a large nail that students flatten on the anvil then they go to the vise and put a twist in the handle portion. Then back into the forge and onto the anvil to hammer out the opener section. This project is best suited for ages 10 and up.
Bottle Opener - 1+ Hour Class $70
This one hour class is perfect for those who want to experience the age old art of blacksmithing for the first time. Working out of a modern propane forge and dressed in protective gear, you will hammer, chisel and punch decorative details into your choice of a HORSE or FISH shaped bottle opener. You will learn how to use tongs to move your piece in and out of the fire and how to control your hammer as you forge a your cold hard piece of steel into a functional piece of art. Age 12+
RR Spike Knife - 1+ Hour Class $70
This one hour class gives students an opportunity to forge a 4" Rail Road spike into a usable knife blank. The spike knife makes a great souvenir for those who just experienced the Silverton Durango train ride. Students start by forging the blade. Once the basic blade shape is forged, students then add a decorative twist to the handle using the vice. This is a hammer heavy class so is best suited for ages 15 and up.
Classes By Appointment
Horseshoe Blade - 1+ Hour Class $70
In this class, students forge a functiona knife blank out of half of a horseshoe. Students can choose a plain horseshoe or one with a horse's head already forged into one end. If you have watched Forged in Fire, you have surely wondered what its like to forge a knife. This class has you focusing completely on the blade shape. Class is suitable for ages 12+
BBQ Fork - 2+ Hour Class $140
If you like to BBQ or just poke a hot fire, this two plus hour blacksmith class is for you! In the Made for Fire Adventure, you will build a fully functional barbeque fork that measures 20" long. It's the perfect length to manage the meat on your BBQ cooker or roast a few marshmallows over the coals of your camp fire. The blacksmith skills imparted during this class include tapering, twisting, chasing, splitting, and scrolling all while you learn hammer control and how to manage the iron in the fire. Minimum 2 per class. Age 15+
Large Twist Hook - 2+ Hour Class $140
This class is for those that really want to learn how to blacksmith and develop their techniques. The Large Twist Hook incorporates additional steps like drawing a taper and details like hole punching that are not a part of the Petite Twist Hook. The larger size also provides more mass which takes longer to move allowing participants to develop hammer control. Due to the intensive hammering, this class is better suited for students age 15 and up. Minimum 2 per class.
Leaf Hook - 2+ Hour Class $140
Botanical forms are a favorite challenge for blacksmiths. In this two plus hour long blacksmith class, you will create a elegant but sturdy leaf hook from a pencil sized stick of mild steel. As you do, you will be learning some of the basics of blacksmithing including hammer control, tapering, texturing, scrolling and of course, creating a 3-D leaf shape. This is a great beginner, introductory class. Everyone succeeds and goes home with a functional, elegant hook. Minimum 2 per class. Age 15+
Rose Hook - 2 1/2 Hour Class $140
This two plus hour blacksmith class teaches blacksmith skills that are more technical. Hammering in this class requires less strength but more precision. You will start with 1/4 inch round stock which you will forge to a taper and draw out for your stem. Once that is done, you will flatten then taper the edge, cleave the rose petals then roll the rose into a tight flower. Then, over the anvil's horn, you will form the hook part. Last, but not least, your scroll the end. Minimum 2 per class. Age 15+
Half Day Blade - 1/2 Day Class $200
The popular TV show, Forged in Fire has sparked alot of interest in bladesmithing. In this half day adventure you will experience the thrill of forging your own survival knife. As you craft the project, you will learn important basic knife making skills including determining forging heat and hammer control. You will also learn to use the anvil to fuller, draw, taper, round, drift and chamfer. You will finish your blade edge on the grinder and learn some basic tempering and sharpening tricks. Minimum Age is 15. Min 4 per class
Blacksmith Tongs - 1/2 Day Class $200
This half-day class is for intermediate students who already have a some experience at the forge. Tongs are an essentail tool for a blacksmith. They use them to hold the hot steel as they work it over the anvil. In Tools for Fire you will make your own set of tongs from start to finish. You may choose to make either a set of Bolt Tongs or Box Jaw Tongs. Regardless of which design you choose, you will be learning how to make you own tools for the forge and should leave with the ability to make additional tongs on your own. Minimum 4 per class.