|
Email me for Course Availability
Or Gift Certificates
artistblacksmith.com(at)gmail.com
Pricing per student
With the
changes consider the calendar
below (bottom of page) as only a
guideline. I will still be
running courses on the weekends
listed but the type of course
may change. So If interested in
a time slot email me and I can
see if it is open so I could
change the course if you needed.
Basic
Blacksmithing Intermediate
Pattern Welding Propane
Forge Knife
Making Organics
David
has been teaching introductory blacksmithing
classes at his workshop
in Ontario since 1993. He recently has taught
blacksmithing at Fleming
College's Haliburton School of
the Arts Campus. David is a graduate of
Ontario's University of Waterloo
Engineering program and has his work in
private collections in Canada,
the United States, Ireland and Germany.
David no
longer uses blacksmithing coal
as his primary heat source. He
now prefers the modern
convenience of a propane
blacksmith forge to teach his
blacksmithing courses. This
allows the students to
concentrate on the historical
techinques without having to
master working with the coal
fire. He does explain the coal
forge in detail for those
students that are interested .
"I invite you
to take a look at my current
blacksmith course offerings! You will
find basic blacksmithing as
well as intermediate to
advanced blacksmithing
class listings. If you don't
see something that fits
your schedule let me
know and we will see what
we can arrange. All
classes are taught at my
workshop in Cargill."
In
times past the
art of the
blacksmith was a
cherished secret
passed down only
from master to
apprentice.
After the skills
of blacksmithing
nearly
disappeared in
the mid 20th
century in North
America, many
smiths have
opted for
openness about
the craft. This
means that many
more people have
opportunity to
learn these
skills in
blacksmith
classes.
I offer several
courses /
classes at my
blacksmith shop
in Bruce County
( 1.5 hours
north of
Kitchener,
Ontario). I work
with a maximum
of 4 students
and each student
has their own
work station but
share a forge.
The
blacksmithing
classes are
designed to take
the student, in
a single
weekend, from an
interest in
artistic
blacksmithing to
actually
producing small
useful projects.
At the end of
the course the
student will
have been given
the information
to set up a
basic home shop,
including
suppliers and
equipment
required.
I
provide all
the required
tools and
related safety
equipment, as
well as snacks
and drinks.
The student
should bring
leather boots
or shoes, and
a lunch.
Basic
Blacksmithing
Class
Regular Price
$650.00 CND
Includes HST
Members Price
$600.00 CND
Includes HST
Currently
Maximum 4
students.
This course is
designed for
those with an
interest in
blacksmithing
but have no
previous
experience. 18
hours of
instruction
and
supervision.
Friday
night 6 pm to
9 pm
We
cover safety,
introduction
to tools large
and small,
proper hammer
technique, and
the first
project of a
Tool Hook.
Techniques:
drawing out,
curling,
notching,
curving, hot
cutting.
Saturday
9 am to 5 pm
Consists
of a series of
projects with
techniques
building upon
each other.
Projects
include Coal
Rake, Leaf
Hook, Finials,
and Tongs.
Techniques
include:
Pointing,
Flattening,
Shepherd's
Crook, Hot
Reverse
Twisting,
Pointing Flat
Bar,
Pattern
Punching,
Offsetting ,
Shouldering,
Through
Punching,
Leaves
Sunday
9 am to 5 pm
Starts
with a
discussion of
alloy steels
and follows
with making a
Cold Chisel
from high
carbon steel,
Finishing
Tongs,
Discuss
Setting up a
Personal
Workshop,
Several Hours
are set aside
for working on
a Personal
Project.
All materials
are provided
(personal
projects may
require
additional
expense) .
Projects and
techniques may
vary depending
on student
interest and
capabilities.
I also provide
water as
needed through
out the days.
Lunch is not
provided.
Accommodations
There
are several
Bed and
Breakfasts
located
nearby.
Silver
Creek B&B
Ruby Huygen
17 Younge St. S
Walkerton
519-881-0252
About 15 minutes
south of my
workshop.
Dates for 2024
Jan. 5,6,7
Feb. 2,3,4
Mar. 15,16,17
Apr. 12,13,14
May 24,25,26
June 21,22,23
July 19,20,21
Aug.
30,31,Sept. 1
Sept. 13,14,15
Oct. 11,12,13
Nov. 8,9,10
Dec. 6,7,8
Dates for
2025
Jan. 3,4,5
Feb. (Jan.
31), 1,2
Mar. 14,15,16
Apr. 11,12,13
May 23,24,25
June 27,28,29
July 25,26,27
Aug. 22,23,24
Sept. 5,6,7
Oct. 3,4,5
Nov. (Oct. 31)
1,2
Please
call or email
for motels and
campgrounds.
|
David
Teaching
a Basic
Blacksmith
Course On Site
at Joseph
Schneider Haus
Museum,
Kitchener
Ontario
David
Teaching
A Junior
Blacksmith
Course at
Joseph Schneider
Haus, Kitchener
Ontario
Past
Student
Comments:
First let me say,
from my
perspective,
that David's
course was
very
informative,
well
developed, and
an overall
excellent
course.
He covered the
fundamentals
as to what is
needed to set
up a shop
including safety,
tools,
resources,
and references,
and provided
2+ days of
great hands-on
instruction.
After I got
home and
reviewed all
the items that
I made during
the course
with my
family, I was
amazed at how
much we
covered and
accomplished
in the short
time
there.
......
Secondly,
I selected
David's course
for a couple
of basic
reasons, I
liked what he
was offering,
the size and
scope of the
classes, and
it was within
about a 5 to 6
hour drive of
where I
live. I
did pass up
other courses
which were
closer to
where I live
because of the
course
content. I
have only
great things
to say about
the course and
David has been
great in
responding to
follow up
questions/support
after the
course.
G.
Thomas
I
want to thank
you for the
great class.
It was an
experience I
will never
forget.
I really
enjoyed myself
and working
with a master
craftsman was
great. I
am getting the
emails and
hope to
continue that.
I will
probably
get a small
gas forge at
some point in
the near
future.
I have a small
anvil for
now.and will
get a couple
of hammers.
Dave
thanks again
for a great
time. I
learned a lot.
L.
Covert
We
have been a
bit remiss in
letting you
know how much
both
Christopher
and I enjoyed
your Basic
Blacksmithing
class.
Although we
both had some
experience the
techniques and
projects added
to our skill
level quite
quickly, this
is allowing us
to explore a
variety of
different
techniques.
As a father it
was fun to me
to watch my
son learn at
his pace and I
was surprised
by his skill
and intuitive
insight of how
he could move
the metal. He
is already
talking
about
for his next
break from
college.
Certainly the
drive from the
USA was well
worth what we
gained, I
could not have
picked a
better class
for us to
attend!Thanks
and hope
things are
well!
R.
Taddiken
Hi
David,
I
have been
meaning to get
this email out
all week, but
getting back
to work after
having the
summer off was
difficult.
I wanted to
thank-you
again for the
basic
blacksmithing
course.
It was
amazing.
After having
read over
several books,
including your
own, it
was a pleasure
to finally get
a chance to
try it
out.
Your course is
well laid out,
building skill
as the
projects
increase in
complexity.
Your
background
does you
credit, and I
thank your for
getting into
the material
science of
what we were
doing.
I
plan to
continue my
education and
hope to take
the
intermediate
course in the
near future.
(probably next
summer)
In the mean
time I plan to
build a
gas forge and
pick up some
tools. I
would like to
get started
this
fall.
cheers,
Jay
|
|
Intermediate
Blacksmithing
Class
Regular Price $650.00 CND
Includes HST
Members Price
$600.00 CND
Includes HST
Fri. 6 pm
to 9 pm
Sat. and
Sun.9 am to 5 pm
This
blacksmithing
course is less
project
oriented and
more technique
oriented. It
is also 18
hours of
supervision /
instruction.
Techniques
include: 2D
Punch Work, 3
D Punchwork,
Forge Welding,
Splitting,
Upsetting,
Design
Discussion,
Introduction
to Air Hammer
use, Mortise
and Tennon,
Through
Punching,
Scrolls, Hot
Wraping, Wedge
Joint,
Hinges,
Forging Pipe.
Again a couple
of hours are
set aside on
Sunday for a
personal
project.
This
course provides
the student with
a series of
blacksmithing
skills that they
can take home
and directly
translate to the
work that they
are doing there.
Techniques
primarily
revolve around
the artistic
nature of the
craft with
traditional
joinery
highlighted.
Depending on
student interest
techniques
taught may
follow other
lines of
discussion. Maximum enrolement 4 students.
Dates
for Intermediate
Blacksmith
Course
Dates for
2024
Apr. 26,27,28
Dates for
2025
Apr. 25,26,27
Other dates can
be
arranged upon
inquiry
|
Emily
at the air hammer.
Past
Students
Comments
Hi David, Just getting home and wanted to say thanks again for such an amazing course- I had a blast this weekend! You create such a positive learning environment; really laid-back yet perfectly structured into steps that we were able to work through. My head is still spinning from everything we covered! Thanks once again for taking the time to fire up and fix my forge- I really appreciate it. Now I have no excuses to not do my homework (which would be: practice, practice and more practice...and finishing my pot rack!). I also wanted to say thanks for being so attentive to our 'personal blacksmithing aspirations' and giving us pointers/insights throughout the weekend to steer us in the right direction and get the 'wheels turning'. You are an awesome teacher! I will definitely be sending questions your way as the brain continues to digest the information. Many thanks and see you again in the future! Cheers, Deanna
|
|
Pattern
Welding Knife
Making
Blacksmith
Course
Regular Price $850.00 CND
Includes HST
Members Price
$800.00 CND
Includes HST
Fri. 6
pm to 9 pm
Sat.
and Sun.9 am
to 5 pm
This
course is
designed for the
individual who
has
some
skill at forge
welding,
and wants to
explore the area
of damascus
knives. This
course runs with
a max. of 2
people.
The course
covers the
basics of Knife
Formation, Cable
Damascus, Odd
Pattern Stuff
(Chainsaw Chain
etc.), Making
the Billet,
Secure Welds,
Pattern
Generation,
Alloys, Etching
Solutions.
Grinding
techniques are
mentioned but
are not the
focus unless
there is time.
This
course stresses
the billet
process and
depending on
time and
aptitude the
completion of a
knife is
secondary.
Dates For
Pattern
Welding
(Damascus
Steel)
Dates for
2024
Mar. 1,2,3
Dates for
2025
Feb. 28, Mar.
1,2
Other dates can be
arranged upon
inquiry
For
added Details
on Knife
Making Courses
Click on
Bladesmithing and Knife Making Courses
|
Pattern
Welded
Dagger.
Two
Pattern Welded
Nickel Damascus
Knives.
Comment
After
a Recent
Custom Pattern
Welding Course
I just wanted
to send you a
note to once
again say
thanks for a
great
experience. My
brother and I
had a lot of
fun and
learned a
tremendous
amount from
you in a short
time. You
provided
excellent
instruction in
a comfortable
and often
humorous way
which also
allowed us to
excel and push
ourselves. I
definitely
want to try
this again. It
would be fun
to experiment
with different
metals, shapes
and patterns.
Once again
thanks,
E. Sheffield,
Toronto |
|
Propane
Blacksmith
Forge Workshop
Scheduled at Mutual Convenience
One Day
Only
Sat. 9
am
to 5 pm
This
one day workshop
is limited to 2
people. Each of
you will build a
complete working
atmospheric gas
forge! (Blower
forge is also
possible for
extra cost.)
You will learn
about burner
construction and
dynamics, shells
and insulation,
hazards of
propane, and
general
construction
techniques! The
course fee
includes all
materials for
the forge
construction,
and hose and
regulator. You
will have to
provide a
propane tank at
home.
Since many of
the materials I
have to buy out
of town I
require the full
course fee 1
month in
advance. (Don't
worry if you
miss the course
you still get a
gas forge just
not the
knowledge.)
Also See
Gas Forge Construction Manual
Course Dates :
By Appointment
Only
Week
Long Courses
(For Specialty Courses or Week Long Courses Please Contact Me)
I am willing
to design a a
week long
program
specific to
your interests
or needs for a
time slot that
is mutually
convenient.
This is
intensive and
usually hot in
the summer. If
you want to
jump start a
career or
boost a hobby
this may be
for you.
Questions
about possible
course content
please direct
to me.
|
Blower
Forge shown.
Atmospheric
Propane Forge is
also possible to
build.
Previous
Garden Gate Course
Halburton School
of Arts and Design
|
Basic Knife
Making Course
Regular
Price $650.00 CND
Includes HST
Members Price $600.00 CND
Includes HST
Fri. 6 pm to 9
pm
Sat. and Sun.9
am to 5 pm
Knives are a
fundamental tool in our
lives whether it be in
our kitchens, workshops, or
on hunting trips. I have had
many requests for a knife
making work shop and have
usually suggested people do
some blacksmithing first.
There is a need for hammer
control and an appreciation
for the narrow temperature
range that the tool steel
must be worked at and these
things do require time to
grasp.
It is recommended that you
have some past forging
experience, but I will try
to accommodate those that
have no experience as well.
This course will concentrate
on blade formation and heat
treating, with less emphasis
on grinding. Some grinding
will be involved but it will
not be the main focus. I
hope each student will be
able to complete 2 knives at
least to the point that they
can finish them at home.
This will of course depend
on experience and ability.
One Knife will be a
Romano-British or
"Blacksmith Knife". The
second will be slab handle,
full tang. The students have
choice of what style of
knives they make. These
projects may change without
notice.
Dates for Basic Knife Making
Course
Dates for 2024
Jan. 19,20,21
Feb. 16,17,18
May 10,11,12
June 7,8,9
July 5,6,7
Aug. 2,3,4
Oct. 25,26,27
Nov. 22,23,24
Dates for 2025
Jan. 17,18,19
Feb. 14,15,16
May 9,10,11
June 13,14,15
July 11,12,13
Sept. 19,20,21
Oct. 17,18,19
Nov. 14,15,16
Dec. 12,13,14
For added Details on Knife Making Courses Click on
Bladesmithing and Knife Making Courses
New!
Advanced
Knife Making
Regular Price
$650.00
Including HST
Members Price
$600.00
Including HST
Friday
6 pm to 9 pm
Sat. and Sun. 9 am to 5 pm
This course is
limted to two people and
is dedicated to
the production of two
complete
integral bolster
knives.
This includes
forging, primary grinding
primary sanding,
heat treating,
secondary
sanding, scale wood
handles,
finish sanding.
Prequiste - You
must have some previous
experience with
forging hot metal and
knife making.
Dates
for 2025
To Be Arranged at
Mutual Convenience
For added Details on Knife Making Courses Click on
Bladesmithing and Knife Making Courses
New For
2024
Forged Jewellery
Course
Maximum of 2 people on
this course.
Regular
Price $650
Including HST
Members Price $600
Including HST
Friday
6 pm to 9 pm
Sat. and Sun. 9 am to
5 pm
This course is designed
around small scale forge
work suitable for
jewellery. Focus will be
on working with ferrous
and non ferrous such as
bronze and copper using
forged design elements.
Projects may include ear
rings, brooches,
pendents, bracelets and
others.
Techniques may include
drawing out, doming,
curling, riveting,
casting, cutting.
polishing, punching etc.
Possibility of welding
or brazing/soldering
depending on students
ability and time
restraints.
Dates
for 2024 and 2025
To Be Arranged at Mutual
Convenience
|
*
|
Botanical
Blacksmithing Course
Regular
Price $650.00
CND
Includes HST
Members Price
$600.00 CND
Includes HST
Max 4 students
Fri. 6 pm
to 9 pm
Sat. and Sun.9 am to
5 pm
This course is a specialty
course on creating organic
forms. Flowers, leaves,
tendrils etc. It will be a
combination of hand work and
power hammer work. Although
the power hammer work will
be directly related to the
hand work it will be on
larger stock.
The goal of this course is
to show you some basic hand
techniques to create
Botanical Forms and then
scale the process up to
power hammer techniques.
Topics Discussed
Tendrils
Punching Petals
Veining
Plain leaves
Folded leaves
Texturing
Long Leaves
Short Leaves
Calla Lily Flowers
Cattails
Roses
Bark Pattern
Grape Vine
Free Form Forging
Dates
for Botanicals Course
Dates for 2024
Mar. 29,30,31
Aug. 16,17,18
Dates For 2025
Mar. 28,29,30
Aug. 8,9,10
Other dates can be
arranged upon request.
|
Hand Forged
Stylized Flower
Flower
Inspiration
Forged Copper Rose Detail |
|
|
One Day
Specialty Blacksmithing
Classes | Courses!
For $350.00 per day I will
teach specific techniques and
while the student is
practicing I will be working
on my own projects. Times to
be arranged
at our mutual convenience.
Additional material charges
possible.
Specialty Courses Might be
- Axes
- Spear Heads
- Advanced or
Specialty Flowers
- Tool Making
- Hand Hammer Making
- Jewellery
- Copper or Bronze
Work (additional charges for
material)
- Sculptural
- And Others Inquire
by email and I will see if it is
possible.
For $550.00 per day I will
work on your particular
project with your help.
Other dates may be arranged for 2 or more people.
|
Artist
Blacksmith
David
Robertson
R.R. #2
Cargill, Ontario,
Canada, N0G1J0
519 366 2334
Contact
Learn How to Make
Your Own Gas Forge Here!
|