Introduction to Knife Making (stock removal method)

This course meets 3 times per class session. The third day of class is scheduled for a different week than the first two days.

Adam Simha is a working knife designer/maker specializing in culinary knives and specialty tools under the name MKS Knife. He got started in blade work in 1999 after having studied with American Bladesmith Society mastersmith JD Smith at Mass College of art in Boston. He makes custom knives for chefs and home cooks alike both in the US and internationally and in each case focuses on the details of each user’s particular needs with respect to exact form, fit , and function. He also designs for the cutlery industry.

This class is suitable both for the beginner with little or no metal working experience and those with some experience wishing to push their skills to a higher level of detail. The class will challenge students to gain or use existing skills in a number of areas all toward the end of creating a single finished piece; every step of the way bears directly on the end result. Students will gain introductory proficiency in each area of fabrication as well as in the planning of a multi-step project

The materials fee for this class is $75. 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 payments in cash or through Venmo.

The goal of this class is to complete one finished knife

Grind practice bevels into a laser cut wooden blank

Grind bevels into a hardened steel blank of the same profile, layout and drill pin holes

Finish grind bevels and flats

Hand finish bevels

Create handle scales using existing knife as template (drill holes, rough out shape, finish fronts)

Glue and pin scales to knife

Finish handle

Sharpen knife edge

One heat-treated knife blank, handle blank, grinding belts, etc

Closed-toe shoes and tight-fitting natural fiber clothing, pencil and paper (small notebook ideal). If you have personal safety glasses, dust masks, face shields, hearing protection please bring them (we provide all the PPE).

All students must be 16 years old or older. Students under 18 must be accompanied by and under the direct supervision of a responsible adult.

Learn more about our class and ticket cancelation policies here.

Please email [email protected] with any questions.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Artisan's Asylum, 96 Holton Street, Boston, United States