Darrell has been working with forged iron for over 25 years. He has completed 4 years at Ontario College of Art. During his 5 years at Black Creek Pioneer Village, he worked in the Blacksmith shop part time for two years and full time as primary smith for three. He now makes his living as an artistic blacksmith and museum consultant. Since 1993 he has held a regular series of workshops at the Wareham Forge, as well as sessions at folk festivals and special programs at community colleges. He also works as a trainer of historic interpreters for museums and living history programs. For some indication of the teaching style, check these clips on YouTube: Twisting Bars (from Introduction to Smithing) / Forging a Tang (from Historic Bladesmithing)

Facilities: the Wareham Forge The shop combines traditional and modern equipment. The main forge is coal fired with electric blower. A second portable forge, either coal or firing propane, will also be used. There will be one anvil per student, all basic hand tools and safety equipment will be provided. Powered equipment includes an air hammer, oxy-propane torches, drill press, grinding and polishing machinery. As well there is a fully equipped fine metals studio available. The Wareham Forge is located in Grey County (Central Ontario), about half way between Orangeville and Owen Sound. We are about 5 miles SE of the village of Flesherton, just off highway 10, (about 2 hours drive NW of Toronto).

Note that only 4 students will be accepted for each session. Each student will be provided with work station consisting of mounted anvil and basic hand tools. Two students will share a single forge (coal or propane). The class shares use of power tools. Taken together this means close personal supervision and lots of hands on working time. Programs are open to any physically able people, from young adults onwards. (Aged 16 an up - see a special note : Teens as Students). English is the language of instruction. Sorry - the Wareham Forge is not really wheel chair accessible.

This is a 18 hour program that stresses a hands on approach, with a Friday evening lecture and two full working days in the forge. Only 4 students per session, each with their own work station, means close personal attention. Projects include poker, tongs, punches and one small decorative item. Course fee of $300 (+taxes) includes coffee and materials. For further details go to Basic Blacksmithing

This 14 hour session will involve the student in the construction and operation of the 'Econo Norse' small scale iron smelter. A Friday evening lecture will cover the theoretical and historical background of smelting iron: ores, furnaces, process, equipment as well as construction of the furnace. * A LONG day Saturday will start with the  preparation of charcoal and ore, pre-heating the furnace. The actual process of the smelt takes roughly 6 hours. After this, the resulting iron bloom will be extracted from the furnace, and given a primary consolidation. The iron produced will be cut to sections and shared between the participants. This program does not require any previous metalworking experience, and is of interest to students of history as well as blacksmiths. Course fee of $400 (+taxes) includes coffee and materials.

This 16 hour session will introduce the student to the basic techniques required to produce simple hand forged knives. Covers: historic patterns, alloys, heat treating, forging shapes, basic finishing & hilting. Each student will forge and work to finish a small belt knife, plus rough forge a number of basic blade shapes. Requires 'basic' level experience, please ask for details. Course fee of $300 (+taxes) includes coffee and materials. Session limited to four students.

This 16 hour session will cover forge welding, punch work (flat and sculptural), tool making, and design for the Smith. Requires basic level experience, please ask for details. Course of fee of $300 (+ taxes) includes coffee and materials. Session limited to four students.

This 16 hour session will introduce the student to the basic techniques required in the creation of layered steels. Covers: alloy mixes, basic pattern generation and history. Each student will create a layered billet, plus will forge a small knife from a prepared block (provided). Requires intermediate level experience (ability to forge weld), please ask for details. Course fee of $375 (+taxes) includes coffee and materials. Session limited to four students.

This intensive hands on session will introduce the student to two methods of creating small objects using the casting process:
SAND CASTING IN BRONZE : First a master pattern will be caved in wax, then each student will learn how make molds using the green sand process. Several pours will be made.
PEWTER CASTING IN STONE : Each student will carve out a re-usable soapstone mold, then make a number of pours.

The 14 hour course will include a look at historic cast metal objects, plus an overview of the tools and equipment required to set up a small scale workshop for cast metals. Course fee of $300 (+ taxes) includes coffee and all materials.

This is a one day / eight hour private session, ideal for the starting student who has a basic knowledge of blacksmithing, but is looking to expand their skills into a specific area - or just wanting to get a fast review. Work one on one with Darrell at the Wareham Forge, with the skills to be covered arranged to suit the individual student. Some flexibility of dates possible, with some weekend dates and much more availability for mid week throughout the year. Base Fee is $175 per day (+taxes), includes basic shop use (project materials extra). Please contact the Wareham Forge to discuss your requirements for course content and possible dates.

This is a two day / 16 hour private session held at the Wareham Forge, ideal for the small group who want to share their blacksmithing experience - at a reduced rate. Also suitable for a group that is looking to expand their skills into a specific area. The facilities of the Wareham Forge can be expanded to handle up to six students, each with their own anvil and a shared forge. Some flexibility of dates possible, with some weekend dates and much more availability for mid week throughout the year. Base Fee is $900 + (+taxes) for the group session, includes basic materials. Please contact the Wareham Forge to discuss your requirements for course content and possible dates.

This is a two day / 16 hour course, held at the facilities of your sponsoring institution (typically a museum or college). The Wareham Forge provides equipment to accommodate a total of four students, each with their own anvil / work station, shared forge and associated equipment. Some ability exists to tailor the course materials to suit the individual institution (historic, artistic, basic skills). Base Fee is $1200 (+taxes) for this group session for locations in Southern Ontario, includes basic materials. (An extra travel amount applies outside of Barrie / London / Peterborough circle.) Please contact the Wareham Forge to discuss your requirements for course content and possible dates.

The fees for all regularly scheduled courses include:
- all materials used for the basic projects
- technique notes and bibliography
- ongoing (!) coffee 
- Basic safety gear (glasses and ear plugs) will be provided.
Students may required to pay for any materials used for extra projects outside those for the basic outline.

Location: The Wareham Forge is located in the tiny Hamlet of Wareham, located about half way between Orangeville and Owen Sound. It is on a side road roughly three miles west of Highway 10, close to Flesherton. This makes it about 2 hours drive NW of Toronto, about the same distance from Kitchener. Upon registration, students will be sent detailed instructions and map to the studio.

Registration: To reserve a place, the total fee must be received at least 30 days before the course date requested. Remember 'he who pays first, gets'. Complete the enclosed application and return it as well. Confirmation will be made by phone /e-mail

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. In either case a credit will be issued that allows a student to use the deposit against a future course (current year only).

Student Equipment: Each student should bring suitable clothing: leather work boots above the ankle, heavy cotton LONG pants and shirts (denim, flannel), and some kind of cap is suggested. Dependant on time of year, temperatures can range from above freezing, to high 20's - 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. Required safety equipment will be provided.

A note on dates. Normally courses are held on the same weekends each year - so next year's dates will be close to those listed above. In all cases, the scheduling of an individual course is based on the pre-registration of a minimum number of students (usually half the class size). NOTE : I normally do not run any winter courses - check the image on the right for why...

The Wareham Forge

The Hamlet of Wareham, R.R. #2 Proton Station, Ontario
CANADA - N0C 1L0

(519) 923-9219 // courses@warehamforge.ca

Book your course  via the electronic payment system.
Course fees and deposits can be made with your credit card. Contact me for further details

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