Blacksmith Schools

To make finding blacksmithing classes easier, I created a clickable map of all the smiths and schools in the U.S. currently offering instruction. You can find blacksmithing schools in each state by clicking on them. If I've missed one, please let me know.


37 comments:

  1. Please look into adding Wasatch Forge of Salt Lake City, Utah to your list. I visited during an open studio evening last December, and had an awesome first blacksmithing lesson from Matt Danielson and a handful of his students.

    Wasatch Forge has classes and apprenticeships, and is definitely worth checking out for Utah folks who want to learn more.

    wasatchforge.com

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    1. Hi Meghan. Thanks for passing along the information. Wasatch Forge has been added to Utah's blacksmithing classes. Cheers!

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  2. I am looking for someone in the NE Texas/Lake Fork area that would be willing to show me the ropes in blacksmithing. I intend to procure everything to smith in the next few months so that I can forge at home but would like some skill lessons prior to that. Anyone willing to help? Thanks and God bless.

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    1. Hi Blame. I'm happy to hear you're getting into forging. Outside of the schools and smiths I have listed I don't have much to offer about that part of the state. You might try posting a comment on the Texas Schools page. Lots of people look at it every day to find Texas classes.

      I'll keep an eye out for anything offered in your area, too. Best of luck.

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    2. Blame, I am just east of Longview, TX so not too far from the Lake Fork area. I teach an 8hr 1 on 1 beginner class. You can contact me via www.pineconeforge.com

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  3. I just moved into the St. Louis area and I'm looking to find either a school or workshop to pursue my interest in blade making. I have built a makeshift forge in my backyard and have practiced with mild steel and plan on working with high cardon but learning by watching YouTube isn't ideal. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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    1. Hi Seian-

      Here are a couple resources you can try:

      midwest-metalsmiths.org
      bamsite.org - Blacksmiths Association of Missouri

      Your best bet is contacting BAM. Their members are very active and will be able to point you in the right direction.

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  4. so im in idaho falls ID anything closer than whats listed in ID?

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    1. The best I could find for Idaho Falls is a list of farriers. They should be able to point you in a direction.

      -Blind Dog Forge
      -Steve Empey
      -Dennis Hartmann
      -Roy Wagoner

      Source: http://www.polocenter.com/farrier/farrierusid.htm

      You could also try contacting either of these two in Twin Falls:

      -Hud's Blacksmith: 208-326-4954
      -Joe's Blacksmith Shop: 208-543-8251

      They're listed a welders, but I would imagine they also have some information you could use.

      Let me know if I can help with anything else.

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    2. you may consider looking up the NRBA (northern rockies blacksmith association) they cover some of Idaho, Montana and Wyoming.

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  5. Appalachian Blacksmith Association has a Facebook page and offer help on the third Sunday of the month at their Smitty located at Cedar Lakes resort, in Ripley Wv. They are having a spring conference the first weekend in May. I believe it's the 7th 8th&9th

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    1. Thanks for the info kindered spirit! It's been added to the West Virginia page.

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  6. My 18 year old high school graduate is looking for a full time blacksmithing school as he really is interested in making this his career most of what I have found are short weekend classes or degrees in metal work. However he wants to work in a place that shows others the more "traditional ways" we are currently in MD however if we could find a school that offered some form of housing he could go anywhere. Does anyone have any suggestions? This is a true passion of his and I would love for him to pursue it. Thanks in advance.

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  7. My 18 year old high school graduate is looking for a full time blacksmithing school as he really is interested in making this his career most of what I have found are short weekend classes or degrees in metal work. However he wants to work in a place that shows others the more "traditional ways" we are currently in MD however if we could find a school that offered some form of housing he could go anywhere. Does anyone have any suggestions? This is a true passion of his and I would love for him to pursue it. Thanks in advance.

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    1. Hi Brandy-

      Thanks for your question. Anonymous below did an excellent job of covering the bases of a career in metalwork. Few blacksmiths make a living as solely traditional blacksmiths. The exceptions being specialists: bladesmiths, farriers (horseshoers), historic restorationists, blacksmiths' blacksmiths (blacksmiths who make tools for blacksmiths), etc.

      I have a couple of suggestions for your son as he pursues this career:

      1. Go through a degree program in metalwork that incorporates blacksmithing specifically. Southern Illinois University-Carbondale has an excellent program. The American College of the Building Arts in Charleston, SC is also a great option.

      2. Save a few thousand dollars and invest a fraction of it in a forging setup and some local classes "as needed." Many smiths (myself included) have gone this route. With some patience and perseverance, it can lead to a sustainable career.

      Please contact me at diyblacksmith@gmail.com if you have more questions.

      Cheers!

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  8. Brandy, I've done some research myself into training and the plausibility of a career. I believe Terran can speak to this, but it's very rare for someone to make a living from traditional work, the only exception I know of, are those who, really, are artists who work with metal, not so much blacksmiths. Most of them don't strictly use traditional methods exclusively, but in tandem with some modern tools as well. They craft sculptures, gates, and other large, hand made artistic pieces for cities and the well endowed. Some may make a living forging beautifully artistic knives using only traditional methods, but again, there are only a handful of people out there who support themselves in this method. As far as my opinion goes, for a high school graduate. Let him know he can learn to work metal as a job, machining, welding, and custom fabricating with non-traditional tools. This is a relatively large field, will give him access to tools, and work, while he can learn traditional smithing on the side from those who offer classes and certifications. As he grows in skill in both types, he may find he has the gifting to make a living in art, and if not, welding pays well, and puts him with lots of free scrap metal and gives him a much broader repertoire of skills and tools. Working metal can be a career, but limiting yourself to traditional smithing exclusively limits your career very heavily.

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  9. Bearclaw knives has moved from Laporte to beth page TN http://www.bearclawknives.com/

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    1. Thanks for the update. The changes have been made to the Texas and Tennessee pages.

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  10. I live on Staten island so you can imagine how hard it is to find a place that teaches blacksmithing, does anyone know a place that's close by or a Borough away?

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    1. Hello!

      There is the School of Visual Arts (sva.edu) in NYC, but I don't know of a spot on Staten yet. You could try contacting the school and ask them if they have any borough-specific information.

      Good luck!

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  11. I have recently begun teaching classes in central Florida, near Orlando. I'd be grateful for being included on your map. Thank you.

    http://kirksullensmetalart.com/teaching/classes


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    1. Hi Kirk-

      Thanks for the information. I've added it to Florida's page. Let me know if there is any specific information you would like included in your listing.

      Cheers,

      Terran

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  12. Ms Caitlin's School of Blacksmithing offers classes in Frederick, MD. Http://mscaitlinsschool.com
    Sign up online, and for a limited time, bring a friend for free!

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    1. Ms. Caitlin's School has been added to the Maryland page! Thanks for the info!

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  13. AnonymousJuly 01, 2017

    I am looking for some blacksmithing classes or instructors in Alabama, preferably close to Birmingham. For some reason your map guide is not loading on my screen. My grandson is interested and wants to learn.
    Thanks
    Randy Nix

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    1. Hi Randy-

      Sorry to hear that the map isn't loading for you. Here are the Birmingham listings:

      Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark
      20 32nd Street North
      Birmingham, AL 35222
      (205) 324-1911
      info@slossfurnaces.com

      Sons of Vulcan, Inc.
      Birmingham
      (205) 475-4843
      sonsofvulcaninc@yahoo.com

      Tannehill State Park
      12632 Confederate Parkway
      McCalla, AL 35111
      (205) 477-5711
      tannehillsp@bellsouth.net

      The Sons of Vulcan should be able to provide your grandson with a good starting point.

      Also check out the Alabama Forge Council: alaforge.org. They have satellite groups around the state with regular meetings.

      Let me know if there's anything else I can help with.

      -Terran

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  14. AnonymousJuly 02, 2017

    Thank you.

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  15. AnonymousJuly 03, 2017

    Looking for a blacksmith to learn from in the eastern idaho area i live in shelley

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    1. Hello!

      The only Idaho blacksmith listings we have are around the Boise area. You might have some luck looking up "farriers near me" or "farrier schools" in Idaho. Their job is shoeing horses, but some of them might dabble in the more artistic side of it or make knives depending on your interest.

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  16. Any cheap or free blacksmith apprentice classes or places to learn in riverside county ca

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    1. Hi Shane-

      I'd start with the Orange County Blacksmith Guild on the California page:
      http://diyblacksmith.blogspot.com/p/blacksmith-schools-in-california.html?m=1

      They might have some better suggestions for you.

      Cheers,

      Terran

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  17. Hello, looking for classes or to be an apprentice in FL, Volusia or nearby area.

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  18. I'm also having trouble seeing the map. I noticed in one comment that you have listings for Boise. I already know about Alpenglow and Boise Blacksmith, but was wondering if there are any others in the area.

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  19. https://www.facebook.com/RavensKeepForge/
    Offers inexpensive Primitive type weekend intensives

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  20. St Augustine, Florida. Iron Osprey Forge offers small group classes from beginner to advanced. www.iron-osprey-designs.com and on Facebook, Iron-Osprey-Designs or Iron Osprey Forge.

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  21. Osborne Forge Bladesmithing/knife making and sword making. Saline Michigan.

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