PLEASE SEE OUR BLOG FOR ALL RULES AND CURRENT INFORMATION.
IF you have contacted us and you have not received a response, within 6 hours, please check your spam folder. Our replies will, sometimes, be directed to these folders.
We are project based, instead of time limited. How long the project takes is down to how you work. All students are different and we have no averages. Once the project is finished so is the class or course.
£60; The beginner class is a great way to start at the anvil. It involves; Safety, technique, forge set up and firing, forging an eating spike, or a bottle opener, or a coat hook or any other small mild steel project (must be agreed ahead of time) and finishing the metal. This is one project, not multiple. These classes are designed to get you moving steel accurately and some of the techniques you will use throughout your blacksmithing journey.
£75; We offer private one on one tuition for those that prefer to have the Forge to themselves. These are a beginner project with no other guests in the forge.
£80; couples class. This is ideal for those looking for an original date idea. In this class you will make two hearts. If you are looking for a story to tell about your first or hundreth date this is definitely the class for you! All aspects of forging, safety, and techniques will be covered in the class.
BLASDESMITHING COURSES
Our most popular courses are our bladesmithing courses, here you will learn the art of creating your own blade (as long as they fall within legal boundaries); The classes will involve all aspects of the art, so that you will have a practical and working knowledge of creating your own blades.
All blades have to be agreed ahead of time; these do not include swords, pattern welded steel, long knives/short swords and additional fees may apply should needs be. Up to 7" blade length, larger/longer etc. Will have additional fees.
These two courses are the only two courses in which you can make a knife, no other classes or courses mentioned will involve bladesmithing.
ADDITIONAL FEES APPLY FOR LARGER KNIVES, SWORDS, PATTERN WELDING ETC. PLEASE CONTACT TO DISCUSS BEFORE PURCHASE.
£235; This is our high carbon steel bladesmithing experience. Creating a better quality blade from an experienced bladesmithing instructor. All projects must be agreed ahead of time.
£165 High carbon sgian dubh course. This little sock knife is a great way of trying bladesmithing as there are a few options to chose from. Here at Bear and Thistle Forge we love our sgian dubhs, be it traditional or new school designs. we always ensure our high carbon knives are usable and this knife is no exception.
All of our bladesmithing courses may take multiple sessions, as you can see we have an incredibly high standard and the finish only comes with time. Hence the three months to complete, after purchase.
Not simply traditional but all methods to create a better blade are used and, as can be seen in our galleries, our guest's knives are of a better quality.
We will use stock removal, forging and any combination of techniques within. This will depend on the knife, the person, any limitations etc.
They will start no later than 9am. A start time will be given, ensure you are not late, this will be discussed before the class. As we have had some issues with late arrivals, check all emails (even spam folders) for times. If you cannot find a time, please call to confirm before the day
We supply the steel, some hardwood for handles and pin stock. If you have something specific you'd like to add (darker wood/scale material, brass, bronze, copper, mosaics etc.) These are your responsibility to supply!
BLOCK BOOKINGS;
(No bladesmithing)
These are intended to develop your skills in moving steel and becoming better at the craft.
£250; you will have 5 beginner projects. A new project each session (depending on the project). With all of our courses, including blocks, we are project based. So, when five or ten projects have been completed; the block is done.
£400; this is the same as the above only you will receive 10 projects.
With these, you can experiment with techniques, items to be made and different tools for the projects.
As with our beginners sessions, if you have an idea for a project we can discuss it and if doable we can get it done!
These sessions can be carried out in one day, or over multiple. It all depends on the smith and how they work. Usually multiple projects can be completed in one day.
So with these courses you are not buying an item, you are coming into our forge and learning the craft. We are a school and will carry out all sessions as such.
We insist you look into all legal aspects before booking, and contact us to discuss the course before purchase. This includes discussing projects before attending!
Larger blades may require additional fees, please ask for additional prices before attending. Please bare in mind; more time, more resources, more money.
If you have your own idea for a course, e.g prop weapons, a unique blacksmithing idea, or anything else; get in touch with us and we can discuss.
If in doubt, please contact us before booking and we will go over everything.
Students are more than welcome!
There will be no more than 2 people working with the forge at one time, this is based on a first come first served basis. NO SPECTATING IS PERMITTED AT THIS TIME.
Weekend courses may be made available, these will start no later than 9am, if you need these please contact us before hand and we can arrange from there. These sell out quickly, if required you should book well in advance.
All times are subject to how the guests work. Some need more time, some less; as each guest is an individual, so to is their tuition.
Please remember you will not be buying a product but paying for tuition. The end result is your own work.
PRECLASS INSTRUCTIONS
Unless purchasing the 5 or 10 beginners courses (or multiple class/courses); you are purchasing a single project. If you wish additional projects, you will need to purchase them.
Please be aware that loose or baggy clothing may be a hazard while using our equipment. Please follow all safety advice whilst using machinery!
Appropriate clothing should be worn: no man made fabrics (football tops, track suits, leggings, "work" trousers etc.). Legs should be covered (jeans are excellent), the toes should be covered completely (leather is good, work boots are best). Arms can be covered, again natural material is preferred here. No synthetic materials permitted in the forge! If in doubt ask!
Disclaimers must be signed before all classes begin. All of our policies can be found at the entrance to the Forge, we recommend having a read through them.
All ideas should be agreed ahead of time. This allows us to get what we need. We will give a clear answer if the item is doable or not.
READ THE BLOG AND THE RULES!
The workshop can be used by those that are 18 years or older and can swing a hammer whilst holding tongs. No one under this age will be permitted to participate in our classes, or be allowed to enter to the shop.
Weekend classes are available, these have to be arranged in advance and will start no later than 9am.
Once a class has been purchased you have three months to complete, you will be recharged if you do not complete the class within this time. That means you have to book and use your purchase within this time, if you do not you will lose your purchase and be required to repurchase to attend.
All sales are final. You will have 14 days, after purchase, to claim a full refund for cancelling any classes. After that, you will not receive a full refund. This does not effect your rights.
All refunds are at the discretion of the blacksmith.
48 hours notice must be given for a cancellation, if this is not done; all monies paid will be lost to cover cost. A fee of £50 is payable (if within your three months) to re- a date within the time.
Do not be late! If you are more the 30 minutes late you are considered a no-show and will forfeit your class and monies paid!
We will not Forge any knife, sword or weapon on the UK banned list. Please view all said weapons on the government's website etc.
If you are unwell, for any reason, it is better for you (and everyone else) to reschedule and get better. If you are sick and attend you may be asked to leave.
We will not tolerate rudeness, verbal abuse, or any act of aggression. This extends to harassment of any kind. In these cases you will be asked to leave and will not be permitted to finish your class or course.
There are certain health conditions that can be exacerbated by these activities. So, if you are unsure about any, ask before you purchase!
There are certain risks involved with any activity in a workshop, we will keep you safe provided instruction is followed.
If you are bladesmithing; please bring your own face coverings. These are not provided but they are a must! No mask, No class!
All rules can be found below in the blog. READ THESE.
Finally, and most importantly;
HAVE FUN!
Our focus is giving you the best in tuition. To do this we have adapted our methods to encompass all the greatest parts of traditional blacksmithing but also linking this with the "modern" world. Think propane over coal but your arm over "heavy" machinery. Presses and power hammers have their place but learning to move steel, by hand, will give you an insight unlike any other methods shown!
We will teach the why and how of moving steel. Learning these first creates a better standard of smith and our guests are exactly that!
Sometimes the old ways are the best and we will show you why!
