What Can I Expect

Bladesmithing courses in Cheshire! Learn to hand-forge your very own knife on these one-day workshops at the Ellesmere Port blacksmith’s forge.

You will meet artisan blacksmith Alex. He’s a very skilled heritage craftsman, who uses traditional forging techniques to create classic and contemporary forged metal pieces. Whilst he is often commissioned to make big items such as handrails and gates, he also loves making blades.

During these classes you will concentrate on making knives with metal blades and handles. And yes, as well as being quite decorative, they are very much usable!

Classes are kept to a maximum of four students, so that each of you will have a hearth to work from. Alex will work through each step in the fabrication process for you, as you turn the steel billet into a hand-crafted knife.

As one previous student on this bladesmithing course in Cheshire confirmed, there’s a definite sense of satisfaction when ‘heating the metal in the fire and bashing it on the anvil’! It’s quite physical hard work, but the result will be a blade you can call your own.

Join Alex at his authentic Victorian workshop that dates back to 1885, set within the National Waterways Museum, along the south pier of Ellesmere Port and learn how bladesmithing in Cheshire is done. And of course, you get to take what you make home with you.

When Is It Available

• Designated Saturdays and Wednesdays throughout the year. If you are looking for an alternative weekday, please enquire in advance
• Dates are subject to availability
• Sessions start at 10am finishing at approximately 4pm
• Half an hour lunchbreak (not provided) best to bring a packed lunch

Suitable For

• Minimum age is 16
• A good general level of fitness is required for this experience

Spectators

• Not suitable for spectators