Get Hooked: An Introduction to Blacksmithing

Students will forge a simple S-hook from a steel bar, and learn the joy of shaping glowing metal with a hammer. In this three-hour class, students will learn their way around a blacksmith’s shop, and forge, taper, scroll, bend and twist a rod of steel into a beautiful and useful hook for general use.

The materials fee for this class is $10. This is separate from the ticket price and is to reimburse the instructor for any tools or materials used in this class. This will be paid once, directly to the instructor at the start of the first class meeting. This instructor accepts Venmo.

• . Students will learn the basics and see whether further blacksmithing classes are their cup of tea.
• . Students will gain Familiarity with the blacksmith shop's tools (Forge, Anvils, Hammers, Tongs, Hot Cut, Twisting Wrench, Vise)
• . Students will taper, dress, and scroll the end of a bar before bending it into a hook. Then they will use a hot cut to sever the material, flip it around, and do the same thing over again, but this time holding the work with a pair of tongs. Finally, they will use the vise and twisting wrench to put a decorative twist into the finished S-Hook.
• . The final result will be a hand-forged S-Hook from 3/4 square mild steel bar.
• . This class does not include tool testing.

Willow is a blacksmith, bladesmith, Forged In Fire Champion and mom from Lunenburg, MA. She has taught at multiple craft schools around the US, and worked with blacksmiths as far away as Myanmar. If you take her classes, you must have a high tolerance for corny puns, and strange tangents and stories that are actually extremely relevant to the topic at hand.

Students should bring their beautiful selves, their sharp and inquisitive minds, and closed-toed shoes and natural fiber clothing, and PLENTY of water, it will be very hot work.

• Students will be provided with 24" of 3/8" square mild steel bar, and the tools needed to forge it into a simple yet elegant S-hook.
• Access to A2's Metalshop and tools for the duration of the session.

Attire: Attendants should wear close-toed slip-resistant shoes (steel-toe work boots are ideal), long pants, and no loose-fitting clothing that could possibly get caught in machinery. Make sure to wear only natural fibers (i.e., cotton, wool, linen, etc) and bring reading glasses if needed for detailed work.

Learn more about our class and ticket cancelation policies Here.

Please email [email protected] with any questions.

*Sales end 24 hours before the start of the class to allow the instructor and staff time to prep.

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