Railroad spikes serve many purposes in the world of blacksmithing, but now you can take it to the next level by making your own railroad spike knife! In this one-day class, you will learn shop safety, twisting the handle, forging the blade, shaping, quenching, beveling, and putting on an edge. By the end of this class, each student will have completed their own railroad spike knife to take home. Blacksmithing experience is helpful, but not required. Instructor will provide: all necessary equipment, supplies, beverages, and snacks. You will need to wear/bring: long pants, leather shoes (boots preferred), safety glasses/hearing protection, face mask, and your lunch. You may bring your own hammer/tools, if you prefer.

This course will introduce students to the basic techniques of the blacksmith. If you are curious about forging and want to learn more, this course is for you. We will demonstrate skills and then have you practice what you have learned. The course will discuss the history of blacksmithing, forging safety, fire building and tending, and types of fuel. Hammering techniques will be discussed. Students will craft small items such as hooks and fire pokers. Instructor will provide: all necessary equipment, supplies, beverages, and snacks. You will need to wear/bring: long pants, leather shoes (boots preferred), gloves, safety glasses/hearing protection, face mask, and your lunch. You may bring your own hammer/tools, if you prefer. Location: Homestead Arts Farm, Pine Island

In this class, students will learn traditional hand forging skills to make iron items typical of those found in 8th-10th century Norway. Students will make a firesteel Viking-style knife. Blacksmithing experience is helpful, but not required. (See Introduction to the Forge). Instructor will provide: all necessary equipment, supplies, beverages, and snacks. You will need to wear/bring: long pants, leather shoes (boots preferred), gloves, safety glasses/hearing protection, face mask, and your lunch. You may bring your own hammer/tools, if you prefer.

Join Mark for a fun class where you will learn to make a small mouse hawk from a railroad spike! The mouse hawk is perfect for throwing or chopping kindling. You will learn how to upset the metal, use the pein of the hammer to move metal, pierce the spike using a chisel, and heat treat to harden the edge. Have some fun, learn some new skills, and go home with a mouse hawk from Homestead Blacksmith! Instructor will provide: all necessary equipment, supplies, beverages, and snacks. You will need to wear/bring: long pants, leather shoes (boots preferred), gloves, safety glasses/hearing protection, face mask, and your lunch. You may bring your own hammer/tools, if you prefer.