Public courses
our courses
Beginners courses:
Public Courses:
Looking to get hands-on at the forge? Our public blacksmithing courses are a great way to dive in. Dates are set well in advance, so you can plan with confidence.
Looking to get hands-on at the forge? Our public blacksmithing courses are a great way to dive in. Dates are set well in advance, so you can plan with confidence.
We run a variety of courses throughout the year — from beginners’ sessions to intermediate and more advanced workshops. Whether you're picking up a hammer for the first time or building on existing skills, there's something for every level.
Come solo or bring a friend — you’ll join a small, friendly group and spend the day learning traditional techniques, with expert guidance every step of the way.Clicking the 'book now' button next to a course will redirect you to Craftcourses.com, a 3rd party company that manage our public bookings.
If there are no dates available for a given course, or the date you wanted had disappeared, it has been fully booked, Don't worry though, we announce new dates every few months so more will pop up! keep an eye on our Facebook and Instagram, we will be posting announcements for new dates out via our social media pages!
By proceeding with a booking, you acknowledge and accept the terms outlined in our attendance policy
Beginners Blacksmithing day
This is a one-day class starting at 10am and ending at 5pm.
This is the perfect introduction to blacksmithing for complete beginners. You will learn how to forge steel through several different projects covering 8 core techniques, as well as learning how to use the tools needed for the basics of blacksmithing. You will spend the whole day forging steel, learning and having a smashing time!
The projects we forge tend to change every few months, but we will cover the same techniques no matter what we forge. We always begin with a warmup piece, something easy to let you get into the swing of things. We then move on to a more challenging piece involving more techniques
Time permitting, we can move through even more projects! We average 3 pieces per course, though some groups have managed to forge up to 5 different pieces!
Work projects can include (but are not limited to) Warmups: coathooks; keyrings; tea-light holders; bracelets or pendants of various historical designs
Challenges: Leaf & vine bottle openers; herb choppers; letter openers; door pulls; coffee scoops; fire pokers; fire rakes; toasting forks.
£165 per person as part of a public course.
Click the button below to learn more or make a booking!
Minimum age 11, under 18's must have parent or guardian with them.
Private bookings available upon enquiry.
This is the perfect introduction to blacksmithing for complete beginners. You will learn how to forge steel through several different projects covering 8 core techniques, as well as learning how to use the tools needed for the basics of blacksmithing. You will spend the whole day forging steel, learning and having a smashing time!
The projects we forge tend to change every few months, but we will cover the same techniques no matter what we forge. We always begin with a warmup piece, something easy to let you get into the swing of things. We then move on to a more challenging piece involving more techniques
Time permitting, we can move through even more projects! We average 3 pieces per course, though some groups have managed to forge up to 5 different pieces!
Work projects can include (but are not limited to) Warmups: coathooks; keyrings; tea-light holders; bracelets or pendants of various historical designs
Challenges: Leaf & vine bottle openers; herb choppers; letter openers; door pulls; coffee scoops; fire pokers; fire rakes; toasting forks.
£165 per person as part of a public course.
Click the button below to learn more or make a booking!
Minimum age 11, under 18's must have parent or guardian with them.
Private bookings available upon enquiry.
Beginners Bladesmithing Day
This is a one-day class starting at 10am and ending at 5pm.
This course will take you through the experience of forging your own knife, from fire to handle.
We have a few simple ‘beginner’ blades that you can follow along with, though many people often enjoy letting the steel flow and the hammer guide your blade shape.
This class focuses on the historical experience of making a blade, covering the forging, polishing, heat treatment and how to make a simple handle.
£170 per person as part of a public course.
Click the button below to learn more or make a booking!
Minimum age is 18. People lucky enough to look under 25 must show identification at the start of the day.
Private bookings available upon enquiry
This course will take you through the experience of forging your own knife, from fire to handle.
We have a few simple ‘beginner’ blades that you can follow along with, though many people often enjoy letting the steel flow and the hammer guide your blade shape.
This class focuses on the historical experience of making a blade, covering the forging, polishing, heat treatment and how to make a simple handle.
£170 per person as part of a public course.
Click the button below to learn more or make a booking!
Minimum age is 18. People lucky enough to look under 25 must show identification at the start of the day.
Private bookings available upon enquiry
Intermediate courses
Intermediate Bladesmithing
This is a one-day class, starting at 10am and ending at 5pm.
Intermediate Bladesmithing is designed to teach you how to make your own knives using modern equipment that you might have at home! It is less physically intensive than forging a blade, as we use power tools to shape our knives.
We focus on making full-tang knives in this class, and you can design your own blade or follow along with one of our recipe blades. This is designed to be a follow up to beginners blade smithing, for people wanting to learn more about the grinding and handle making process of knifemaking.
Because this is one of our more advanced courses, we host dates once we have enough interest. If you would like to take part in this course, please drop us an email to register your interest. You can also book this course as a private experience.
£175 per person as part of a public course.
Minimum age is 18. People lucky enough to look under 25 must show identification at the start of the day.
Intermediate Bladesmithing is designed to teach you how to make your own knives using modern equipment that you might have at home! It is less physically intensive than forging a blade, as we use power tools to shape our knives.
We focus on making full-tang knives in this class, and you can design your own blade or follow along with one of our recipe blades. This is designed to be a follow up to beginners blade smithing, for people wanting to learn more about the grinding and handle making process of knifemaking.
Because this is one of our more advanced courses, we host dates once we have enough interest. If you would like to take part in this course, please drop us an email to register your interest. You can also book this course as a private experience.
£175 per person as part of a public course.
Minimum age is 18. People lucky enough to look under 25 must show identification at the start of the day.
Toolmaking: Forge your own Axe
This is a one-day class, starting at 10am and ending at 5pm.
Axe forging will teach you how to forge, heat treat and fit the handle to your own hatchet! We have several recipe axes that we can guide you through, or you can design your own axe head and we will help you forge it!
This class takes place on the same day as Hammer Forging and is taught using the gas forge.
£195 per person as part of a public course.
Private courses available upon request.
Click the button below to learn more or make a booking!
Minimum age is 18. People lucky enough to look under 25 must show identification at the start of the day.
Axe forging will teach you how to forge, heat treat and fit the handle to your own hatchet! We have several recipe axes that we can guide you through, or you can design your own axe head and we will help you forge it!
This class takes place on the same day as Hammer Forging and is taught using the gas forge.
£195 per person as part of a public course.
Private courses available upon request.
Click the button below to learn more or make a booking!
Minimum age is 18. People lucky enough to look under 25 must show identification at the start of the day.
Toolmaking: Forge your own Hammer
This is a one-day class, starting at 10am and ending at 5pm.
Hammer forging will teach you how to forge, heat treat and fit the handle to your own hammer. You can make anything from a ball pein to a cross pein, a carpenters claw hammer or viking style hammer, it's up to you!
Click the button below to learn more or make a booking!
Minimum age 11, under 18's must have parent or guardian with them.
Hammer forging will teach you how to forge, heat treat and fit the handle to your own hammer. You can make anything from a ball pein to a cross pein, a carpenters claw hammer or viking style hammer, it's up to you!
We typically end up with a hammer weighing somewhere between 2lb and 1.5lb, though we keep stock in to forge lighter ones too. 1.5-2lb gives you a really good blacksmithing hammer. If you're wanting to forge one heavier than this, please contact us in advance as we may need to procure additional stock steel to accomodate you request. these are forged from 1045 steel, perfect for hot forging as they don't chip. if you are wanting a hammer for a specific purpose (such as roofing, geology, mining) then drop us a message ahead of booking also to discuss, as we will definetly need to order specialist steel stock.
This class takes place on the same day as Axe Forging and is taught using the gas forge.
£195 per person as part of a public course.
Private courses also available upon requestThis class takes place on the same day as Axe Forging and is taught using the gas forge.
£195 per person as part of a public course.
Click the button below to learn more or make a booking!
Minimum age 11, under 18's must have parent or guardian with them.
Toolmaking: Forging tongs
This is a one-day class, starting at 10am and ending at 5pm.
Tong forging will teach you how to forge your own blacksmiths' tongs! if this is your first pair of tongs then we recommend tackling flat bit tongs (pictured), but you can forge scrolling tongs, hollow bit tongs or even more advanced pairs on this course.
Tong forging will teach you how to forge your own blacksmiths' tongs! if this is your first pair of tongs then we recommend tackling flat bit tongs (pictured), but you can forge scrolling tongs, hollow bit tongs or even more advanced pairs on this course.
We typically end up with pairs of tongs between 300mm and 400mm in length designed for blacksmithing. if you would prefer to make smaller pairs for jewellery work, please let us know and we will prepare stock beforehand.
if you are wanting to forge a more advanced pair of tongs than those mentioned, please contact us beforehand to discuss the project.
£175 per person as part of a public course. Because this is one of our more advanced courses, we host dates once we have enough interest. If you would like to take part in this course, please drop us an email to register your interest. You can also book this course as a private experience.
Minimum age 11, under 18's must have parent or guardian with them
£175 per person as part of a public course. Because this is one of our more advanced courses, we host dates once we have enough interest. If you would like to take part in this course, please drop us an email to register your interest. You can also book this course as a private experience.
Minimum age 11, under 18's must have parent or guardian with them
Damascus Steel- Forge your own pattern welded knife!
This is a two-day class. Day one starts at 10am and ends at 6pm, day 2 starts at 10am and ends at 5pm.
In this class, we will learn how to make Damascus Steel by welding together many layers of high carbon steels, then folding, cutting, grinding, twisting and forging them to make a glorious pattern in the steel billet! From this we will create your knife! For beginners to knifemaking, we strongly recommend following one of our recipe blades. If you have a specific style of blade you would like to forge, please contact us directly to discuss.
This class is taught using the gas forge, and you will also learn how to use industrial presses and the power hammer!
Minimum age is 18. People lucky enough to look under 25 must show identification at the start of the day.
£395 per person as part of a public course.
Private courses available upon request
Click the button below to learn more or make a booking!
In this class, we will learn how to make Damascus Steel by welding together many layers of high carbon steels, then folding, cutting, grinding, twisting and forging them to make a glorious pattern in the steel billet! From this we will create your knife! For beginners to knifemaking, we strongly recommend following one of our recipe blades. If you have a specific style of blade you would like to forge, please contact us directly to discuss.
This class is taught using the gas forge, and you will also learn how to use industrial presses and the power hammer!
Minimum age is 18. People lucky enough to look under 25 must show identification at the start of the day.
£395 per person as part of a public course.
Private courses available upon request
Click the button below to learn more or make a booking!
Arc Welding For Beginners
Curious about welding but not sure where to start? This hands-on course is designed especially for beginners who want to learn the basics of arc (stick) welding in a relaxed and supportive environment.You’ll be learning from a qualified, coded welder with real-world experience—so you can be confident you're getting solid, practical tuition. You’ll get to grips with striking an arc, running a bead, and joining metal safely and effectively. We’ll cover key skills like setting up your welder, choosing the right electrodes, and understanding the properties of different metals. This is a full-day course (10am–5pm) for just 1–2 people at a time, so you’ll get plenty of individual attention.
Pricing:
£350 for one participant
£400 for two participants attending together
All tools, materials, and safety gear are provided, but if you already own a welding mask, it’s recommended you bring it along—it’s always best to learn with the kit you'll be using at home. We can order PPE for you should you wish. Got your own machine? If you'd like to learn how to get the best out of your own welder, just let us know in advance—we're happy to tailor the session where possible. Please wear sensible workshop clothing and sturdy boots, and don’t forget to bring a packed lunch.
No experience necessary—just a willingness to give it a go.
testimonials
I recently did the beginners knife making course, I'm very proud of the knife I made and would definitely recoemend the course. Without any prior experience Alex helpfully guided me through the steps of turning a lump of iron into an amazing (and useful) kitchen knife
I was given a Craftcourses voucher and decided to try something new to me, a Damascus blade knife course at Hammer and Hound. It was great! Alex is an enthusiastic and knowledgeable tutor. It was a full on two day course but the time flew. Alex instructed the three of us what to do, explained why we were doing it and only stepped in when we started to slip behind schedule. At the end we each had an individual knife of our own design. Very happy with whole experience.
Alex is a fantastic guy , he has loads of experience and patience , also passionate about what he does .The knife making class was amazing ,learnt loads of new skill, had a blast with the whole class ,first class day would recommend this class to everyone.
This experience was amazing. Alex is great and very easy to get on with. He supports and encourages you through out the day and offers help if needed. I was so chuffed with my axe.
