ABSTRACT : Intermediate Blacksmithing, a second level training course for blacksmiths. 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.

Learn the Art of the Smith



Intermediate Blacksmithing

This program only offered if specifically requested for 2021
Only dates from Late Summer through Late Fall - if available

This intensive, hands on,16 hour session will introduce the student to a number of additional skills past those learned at the 'Introduction to Blacksmithing' program.  (Note that a 'basic' level of experience is required - see Course Requirements.) 

One inportant core skill taught in this program will be learning how to forge weld. More agressive forging / forming methods of manipulating source bars will be undertaken. Specific attention will be given to various terminals, especially forming leaves. The basics of heat treating will be covered, through the production of simple punches. The possibilities of hot punching, both 2-D and 3-D, will be explored. Specialized / Modified tooling will be examined, as well as use of the air hammer. Expanding the design possibilities of hand forging into more complex, multi element objects, will be considered.

Intermediate Course - Rough Outline:

The session includes 18 hours instruction.

Saturday morning
9-10 am : Review and Warm Up - forging leaves
10-12 am : Forging Punches / Basics of Heat Treating - students create several punches
Afternoon
1-2 pm : Demo - 2-D and 3-D punching, discussion of possibilities.
2-3 pm : Demo - Basics of Forge Welding (in coal)
3-5 pm : Practice - Punching / Forge welding.
(Students will be guided individually through several forge welds, while the remainder work on punching as a decorative technique)

forge weld
Sunday morning
(8:30) - 9:30 am ; Students start the forges
9:30 - 10:30 : am : Demo - Creation of the 'basket' element
10:30 - 12 am :  Demo and Practice - Various terminal shapes and possibilities  
Afternoon 
1- 1:30 pm : Demo - Introducing the air hammer.
1:30 - 2 pm : Design considerations - the multi-element object
2 - 5 pm : Working session - producing elements towards a small, multi-element project  
holders

Fees: Basic cost - $425* (plus 13% HST)

The fees include all materials used for the basic projects. Basic safety gear (glasses, aprons and ear plugs) will be provided. It is suggested students bring lunches and snacks with them. Note that only TWO students will be accepted for each session. Students will be required to pay for any metal used for extra projects outside of the outline.

As students are required to have some forge experience, it is strongly advised that they bring their own personal forging hammers and tongs. Additional tools will certainly be available as needed.

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.

* Discount when two or more students book together!

 Your instructor is professional blacksmith Darrell Markewitz of the Wareham Forge.

Facilities: the Wareham Forge

The 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. A 50 lb throw air hammer will be used for drawing out. 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).



For detailed outlines and applications contact:

the Wareham Forge

Darrell Markewitz
RR # 2, Proton Station, Ont. N0C 1L0
phone/fax 519-923-9219

info@warehamforge.ca

Can't make it to Wareham?

Take a look at the educational DVD's / CD-ROMs produced by the Wareham Forge
Introduction
Bladesmithing
Smelting
Denmark
Introduction to BLACKSMITHING
Historic BLADESMITHING
Forging the VIKING AGE
IRON SMELTING in the Viking Age
Exploring the Viking Age in Denmark

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Text & images © Darrell Markewitz