Introduction to Knife-making

Introduction to Knife-making

Facilitated by Jack Dicey-Rutherford

This blacksmithing fundamentals course aims to teach participants a plethora of metalworking skills, including forging, stock removal, and basic metallurgy. As a method of bringing these skills together in a single project, participants will produce their own knife – from scratch, using simple hand tools and equipment that can be built at home.

Session 1 (3 May): Forge a steel bar into a rough knife

Session 2 (10 May): Forge and heat-treat the knife, then grind, file and shape it

Session 3 (24 May): Harden, polish and sharpen the knife

Session 4 (31 May): Create a leather sheath

A note from the facilitator:

"Hey everyone! My name is Jack, and I’ve been smithing for 12 years. I initially began smithing as a way to produce esoteric (or expensive) woodworking tools. In fact, I still mostly focus on tool making, especially carving knives. I’m currently doing my honours degree in Archaeology at UCT, where I focus on stone tools and folklore. I’m incredibly interested in how our perception of our environment is shaped by the tools we have available to us, and how that has shaped our development as tool makers/users. I spend much of my free time in the mountains, or making things. I enjoy carving, pottery, leatherwork, metalwork (surprise!), sewing, or any other thing

that gets the hands moving."

Please note that attending all four sessions is required in order to complete both the project and the course. If you intend to pay per session (which may be helpful for cash-flow purposes), please reach out via the email below to confirm as such.

Exchange: R3400 (full course fee, or R850 per session. Per-session payment option available only via Quicket). Excludes online booking fee. Includes materials, use of tools and equipment, and tea and coffee

Limited spaces available. Not suitable for children under 13.

Enquiries or confirmation of attendance: [email protected] or [email protected]