Blacksmith courses in Bristol
Hi there and welcome to our tuition page. To bend, cut, punch, twist and stretch hot steel is an amazing experience. The intense focus and rapid learning of new skills is very calming to an overworked mind. Blacksmithing is not about wildy bashing the steel. It is not about power. It is about learning muscle skills and precise observation. Strike while the iron is hot! but remember that the tuition is one to one and the only pressure is your own desire to walk out with something, that you can say “I made that”.
The course is stuctured loosely and we base it around how you respond to the work. We have a short safety talk and get stuck into some blacksmithing essentials – starting with lighting the fire. We try very hard to achieve an item that you can take away with you at the day’s end, usually a hanging basket bracket a toasting fork or a trivet. If you get it finished ahead of time there is always something else to learn – even if we only have 20 minutes left.
At present we have only one forging station – fire anvil and vice, but it is possible for two people to work together – if you are good friends! Blacksmithing is often easier with two – you will probably achieve slightly less but you should have good fun.
Days: At present we do not have fixed days. We work it out between ouselves. We are a busy working forge with ongoing projects and customers but we are also flexible.
Costs: Day – 9:30 to 4:30 £270 for one or £330 for two sharing
One hour taster session £55 for one, £75 for two sharing.
Non refundable (bar exceptional circumstances) 40% deposit 1 week before day agreed.
Clothing: You provide leather boots (anything else potentially melts or burns) Cotton clothing – synthetics melt or burn. Leather gloves. You may not want to wear gloves all the time but some work needs them. We have gloves but gloves are quite personal – depends on your yuck factor. We also have a leather apron and a leather welders jacket. We provide safety specs some of which fit over glasses and ear plugs if it gets noisy.
Insurance: We are insured for students. We try very hard to keep you safe. There is a risk of small burns but you do not use power tools.
Food: We would love to provide you with food but it is not practical at our premises. We are 50 yards from the Gloucester Rd. which claims to be Britains longest high street! There are a lot of places to take out or sit in for food. Bring your own if you prefer but if its cold the forge is cold! Sounds like a contradiction but you will understand when you are there. There isn’t a problem with you eating on the hoof and getting extra work done if you want.
I think that is all! Please fill in our short contact form. We would love to see you but if you can’t make it this time tell your friends.
Best Wishes Fred
Any questions; contact me on whatsapp or SMS: 07914 931 782