Intro to Canister Damascus - Staten Island

This immersive 6-hour outdoor workshop introduces students to the art of canister Damascus steel.

Canister Damascus is a type of forged steel made by fusing different steels - often powdered steel and small metal pieces - inside a metal container (“canister”), then heating and forging it until everything fuses into a single solid billet. The canister is later removed, revealing unique, often unpredictable patterns created by how the materials blended together under heat and pressure.

Participants will learn how to design and assemble a billet using powdered steel and solid materials inside a sealed canister, then forge-weld and manipulate it into a striking patterned blade. The class covers safety, materials selection, welding techniques, and basic forging skills, all on our coal forge in our Maker Park. By the end of the session, students will have a foundational understanding of canister Damascus and leave with a forged billet ready for further refinement.

Students are encouraged to bring their own items to potentially include in the canisters such as springs, and ball bearings. Material must be clean (not greasy). Feel free to contact us with questions about this.

SESSIONS AND PRICING

Saturday May 23rd, 2026

10am - 4pm

$375 - Non-Members

$330 - Members

$20 - Materials fee

PREREQUISITES:

This is open to anyone 18 and up. No experience necessary. Please wear hair tied back, closed-toe boots, jeans, and long-sleeved shirts.

MATERIALS:

Your materials fee pays for steel, and coal. We provide safety protection including safety glasses, leather jackets, and gloves.

INSTRUCTOR:

Scott (he/him) is the Co-founder and Executive Director of Makerspace NYC. Scott holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Maryland Institute College of Art as well as an A.A.S. in Graphic Design. He has been a ‘maker’ for over twenty-five years, creating sculptures, furniture, vehicles, and instruments. His 25 years of architectural metalwork experience can be seen in private residences, storefronts, museums, and restaurants all over New York City. Recent clients range from Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, and Stella McCartney’s flagship store in Soho, to the Museum of the Chinese in the Americas, and Cartier’s exterior gates and window guards.

Scott has created, guided, and managed the development of industrial fabrication at Makerspace's Staten Island & Brooklyn Army Terminal (BAT) locations. Scott holds proficiencies in a myriad of extensive fabrication tools and techniques that cover the gamut of engineering and application in bringing true products to life.

REFUNDS/CANCELLATIONS:

Class size limited to 6 students. Minimum 3 students. We reserve the right to cancel the class if we do not have a minimum amount of students. If we cancel, we will refund you in full and notify you. You may cancel and get a full refund up to seven days before the class. After that, refunds are contingent on us being able to fill your seat. Under no circumstances do we offer refunds to individuals who cancel on the same day.