| ABSTRACT : the ARISTOTLE FURNACE, an intermediate level training course for blacksmiths and knife makers. Artisan Blacksmith Darrell Markewitz offers a regular series of weekend long programs in a number of aspects of traditional Blacksmithing. Special courses include : layered steels (pattern welding), bladesmithing / knife making, bronze casting, iron smelting. Programs held at the Wareham Forge in Ontario Canada, with remote teaching offered at other facilities. | |
Potentially this program will be
offered in 2021
Expect a Mid Summer date or later
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This program of particular interest to students of early metalworking, or bladesmiths wishing to find a simple way to experiment with bloomery iron type material. Saturday will start with an overview of the furnace, followed by each student preparing materials and building their own. In the afternoon, following a drying / pre-heat, several cycles of production will be individually undertaken. Each should result in a roughly 500 gm cake of raw metal. Sunday, individual students will be guided through the process of using a coal fire to consollodate their cakes into working bars. Also there will be time to run further furnace cycles, perhaps even to forge some small tool edges. To get the best use of this program, it is recommended that students already have 'intermediate' level experience at the forge, ideally the ability to forge weld. (see Course Requirements.) Session limited to four students, with each provided with their own work station. Students will be able to take home their individual furances (it is suggested you bring a plastic pail or milk crate) as well as a number of metal cakes they have created. Programs are open to any physically able
people, from young adults onwards. (Aged 16 an up -
see a special note : Teens as
Students). Any students with "learning
\ physical disabilities" need to refer to the detail
section on Course
Requirements. English is the language of
instruction. Sorry - the Wareham Forge is not really
wheel chair accessible. This program limited to
three students only Your instructor is professional blacksmith Darrell Markewitz of the Wareham Forge. Please look over Darrell's past work with Bladesmithing and Historic Reproductions. Darrell was part of the 'Early Iron' research team that developed this modern re-creation of the ancient furnace. |
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Peparing clay and building furnace.
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Charcoal coming to temperature.
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Extracting finished cake.
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Result - cake of high carbon metal.
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Facilities: the Wareham ForgeThe shop combines traditional and modern equipment, with the main forge coal fired (for forge welding) and two gas forges for general forging steps. There will be one anvil per student, all basic tools will be provided. Equipment includes the related grinding and polishing machinery, as well as a fully equipped fine metals studio. 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). |
Remember: to guarantee a place, ensure your application
& deposit will be received at least 30 days
before the course date you desire.
A cancellation may result in the loss of your deposit.
On receiving 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.)
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Exploring the Viking Age in Denmark |
