Beginner Bladesmithing with Joe Vachon - Forging Knives with Basic Tools

Forge your own knife with simple tools with Joe Vachon, the Season 6, Episode 27, Forged in Fire Champion, in this 1 day, hands-on course.

In this class we will be exploring the rudimentary hammer techniques used, step by step, to forge a knife blade to shape without a grinder.

You can expect to learn how to forge a point on the end of a bar, flatten your blade to its final thickness, create a counter-bend, forge your bevels, shape an all-steel handle, clean up your work with a file, and sharpen on a stone.

We will be using mild and medium carbon steel to make things easier for the novice smith. We will also be discussing what goes into proper heat treating when using various high-carbon steels and learn about various types of blade geometry and their application.

There will be a 45-minute lunch break.

Note about safety – Wear cotton pants and shirt (synthetics are potentially flammable). Make sure your pants fit over the tops of your closed-toe shoes or boots so nothing hot can fall in. Safety glasses and earplugs are available, or bring your own. Bringing your own leather gloves is a good idea. Bring a water bottle to stay hydrated.