This course stresses a 'hands on' approach with close personal supervision. There are only 4 students per session, each with his own work station. An illustrated lecture will cover the history of ironworking. Other subjects discussed are: tools and equipment, setting up a home forge, basics of heat treating, and sources for materials. Projects will include a fire poker, tongs, punches, and one small decorative object.

Basic Course - Rough Outline: The session includes 18 hours instruction. Friday: evening 8-10 pm : Background lecture, the art of the smith and its history. Saturday morning 9-11 am : Introduction to the forge, safety, fires, metal heats, basic hammer use. 11-12 am : Warm up / experiment session - 's' hook Afternoon 1-2 pm : Demo - fire poker: flattening, points, loops, twists. 2-3 pm : Practice session - poker 3-4 pm : Demo - tongs: drawing out, hot punching, riveting. 4-5 pm : Practice session - start tongs
Sunday morning (8:30) - 9:30 am ; Students start the forge 9:30 - 10:30 : am : Demo and Practice - working with round stock - taper to point, curves & spirals, simple leaves / 'S ' or wall hook 10:30 - 12 am :  finish tongs   Afternoon  1- 3pm : Demo and Practice -  split taper, shoulders,  hot punching. / toasting fork OR : spear point, hot punch, shape and contour, forging an edge, simple heat treating / One Piece Knife 3 - 4 pm : Practice session - finish up  Note that students who wish to work into the evening on Saturday unsupervised are permitted to due so.
Fees: Basic cost - $325* (plus 13% HST) The fees include all materials used for the basic projects, technique notes and bibliography. Coffee will be on hand all day (it is suggested students bring lunches and snacks with them). Basic safety gear (glasses, aprons and ear plugs) will be provided. Note that only 4 students will be accepted for each session. Students will be required to pay for any metal used for extra projects outside of the outline. * Discount when two or more students book together! * Groups of Four (or more) can book an entire session at a reduced group price!

Registration: To reserve a place, the total fee must be received at least 30 days before the course date requested. Complete the enclosed application and return it as well. Confirmation will be made by phone or e-mail. To ensure your place - make a deposit!

Cancellations: Any cancellation made from 30 days before the course date to 15 days before will result in half the deposit being lost. Cancellations made within the 14 days before the course date will result in no refund.

Student Equipment: Each student should bring suitable clothing: leather work boots above the ankle, heavy cotton pants and shirts (denim, flannel), and some kind of cap is suggested. Temperatures in Grey County are always about 5 degrees lower than the Toronto area, so loose fitting clothing, consisting of several layers that will provide warmth and still permit movement, is suggested. Remember the forge is a dirty place! If students possess a personal forging hammer or other tools they are encouraged to bring them. A notebook is strongly suggested.

Accommodations: Camping space is available for students by prior arrangement. Please bring your own tents, sleeping bags and other gear. Note that meals other than lunches are not provided. In the advent of bad / extremely cold weather, sleeping space is available in the workshop loft. For those wishing more luxurious conditions, several reasonably priced motels or bed & breakfast are located within 10 minutes drive.

Please print off the following and return it with your deposit when registering.

Remember: to guarantee a place, ensure your application & deposit will be received at least 30 days before the course date you desire.
A cancelation may result in the loss of your deposit.

On recieving your deposit, a set of instructions detailing how to get to the Wareham Forge will be sent. (For planning, Wareham is near Flesherton, Ontario - about 45 minutes drive north of Orangeville.)

Book your course  via the electronic payment system.
ENSURE YOUR COURSE REGISTRATION! Please include your requested date under 'instructions from sender'. I will respond via e-mail with further instructions. Please read CANCELLATION POLICY	$100.00 CDN DEPOSIT on 'Introduction to Blacksmithing'
Course fees and deposits can be made with your credit card. Contact me for further details

Return to Blacksmithing Courses information

Can't make it to Wareham?

Take a look at the educational DVD's / CD-ROMs produced by the Wareham Forge

Introduction to BLACKSMITHING	Historic BLADESMITHING	Forging the VIKING AGE	IRON SMELTING in the Viking Age	Exploring the Viking Age in Denmark