DavidTodtman Posted June 1, 2014 Share Posted June 1, 2014 The topic pretty much says what I am looking for: I want a 2, 3, 4, or 5 day basic course in blacksmithing. I have my own newly built forge, an anvil, and some hammers. I made my first set of tongs and theyt actually turned out okay for a first real blacksmithing project? I also realize, however, that completing one set of tongs by guess and by golly is simply an awkward start. So I sort of know how to mangle metal. But blacksmithing is a skilled craft, and it makes sense that I should have some instruction in the basics from somone who has a degree of mastry. I live in Calgary, Alberta. I can travel anywhere nearby including Alberta, British Columbia, Skaskachewan, Montana, Northeastern Washington State, Montana, Idaho...etc. That's the general area. Maybe I could travel even further but I would really not want to go to, say, North Carolina. I would love some suggestions from practitioners. Best, David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Turley Posted June 1, 2014 Share Posted June 1, 2014 I start a six day intro class tomorrow in Santa Fe. Hard copy brochure available with future classes listed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidTodtman Posted June 1, 2014 Author Share Posted June 1, 2014 Oh Frank, I would not rule out Santa Fe as a place to travel to. Such a beautiful town but I cannot hop on a plane tonight! LOL. For interest sake, what are you charging for the 6 day course? And, how many instructional hours are there in each day? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Kehler Posted June 1, 2014 Share Posted June 1, 2014 I think the College in Olds, Alberta has a blacksmithing course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Turley Posted June 1, 2014 Share Posted June 1, 2014 $1200. You're on your own for R & B. Lodging guide provided. Send postal address for all particulars. 7 hour work day and sometimes we stay later if we get project involved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Geist Posted June 1, 2014 Share Posted June 1, 2014 Oh Frank, I would not rule out Santa Fe as a place to travel to. Such a beautiful town but I cannot hop on a plane tonight! LOL. For interest sake, what are you charging for the 6 day course? And, how many instructional hours are there in each day? $1200. You're on your own for R & B. Lodging guide provided. Send postal address for all particulars. 7 hour work day and sometimes we stay later if we get project involved. Without taking anything away from the many other fine places you could go........ I'd wholeheartedly recommend Mr Turley's :) George Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BCROB Posted June 1, 2014 Share Posted June 1, 2014 Hey neighbour... Have you had a look on the northwest blacksmith association website ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidTodtman Posted June 2, 2014 Author Share Posted June 2, 2014 Thanks Rob. Nothing coming up with them soon. However, it is a good website and I will keep checking back with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Turley Posted June 2, 2014 Share Posted June 2, 2014 Turley's brief "North Country" résumé. 2006 Artist Blacksmiths Association of North America. Frank with wife, Juanita, sang Lakota honoring song for Nahum Hersom's ABANA Award, Seattle, Washington 2005 Northwest Blacksmiths Association Conference, Turley workshop, Corvallis, Oregon 2002 Northern Rockies Blacksmiths Association, Turley workshop, Bozeman, Montana 1999 Caniron II, Canadian Blacksmiths Conference, Turley workshop, Calgary, Alberta, Canada 1994 Western Canadian Blacksmiths Guild, Olds College, Turley workshop, Olds, Alberta, Canada Inland Washington Blacksmiths Association, Turley workshop, Kennewick, Washington 1991 Rabbit Stick Rendezvous Skills Conference, Boulder Outdoor Survival School, Turley workshop, Rexburg, Idaho Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Hale Posted June 2, 2014 Share Posted June 2, 2014 Every year Calvary hosts the worlds blacksmithing competition. Smiths from all over the world gather and practice/compete...as individuals as well as in teams. If I were a shorter commute i would be there every year..camera and note pad in hand..There is also likely a market place where you can pick uup and handle ,,maybe even buy the tools needed for smithing...I would guess there wouild be a tailgaiting section where folks sell used tools... If I remember correctly this takes place in July. None of what you will see or be exposed to there will equal what Frank or other schools offer. But it will beat what you are doing now and may shorten some of the learning curve a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JNewman Posted June 2, 2014 Share Posted June 2, 2014 I know a couple of smiths out in the Calgary, Canmore area. There is probably a local Abana chapter. Link up with them and you will likely find someone who teaches locally. As well you will learn a lot at hammer ins, often for free or a nominal fee. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JNewman Posted June 2, 2014 Share Posted June 2, 2014 https://www.google.ca/search?q=calgary+blacksmith+course&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=sb&gfe_rd=cr&ei=hmeMU8O0D6aC8QeZ4oDoCA Mark Pearce is a well known blacksmith who has done demos and courses all over North America. As well I would think the Nait and Sait courses would be good as well. I would definitely join the WCBG as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonS Posted June 2, 2014 Share Posted June 2, 2014 Hi David, I am a member of the Western Canadian Blacksmiths' Guild. We have a shop west of Leduc, at the Alberta Heritage park, and give demos during their scheduled events. We have monthly meetings there on the second Saturday of the month. New members get one day of one on one instruction in the basics and safety. You are probably past that stage, and could take any of the several blacksmith courses offered by the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology in Edmonton. We have a link on our website (www.albertablacksmiths.ca) that takes you to that page of the course catalog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saskuatch83 Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 Nait in edmonton has blacksmithing courses not sure how good they are, wcbg has meetings every month also. I've never been to either, would like to though. I also found this ad on kijiji http://www.kijiji.ca/v-power-tool/calgary/learn-blacksmithing-in-a-weekend-workshop/570985078?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true. Hope this info helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeremyP Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 I highly recommend doing the NAIT coarses in Edmonton. The teacher's name is Shawn Cunningham. He teaches the basic forging techniques, making and heat treating your beginner tools, pattern welding and locksmithing as well I think. His latest coarse, he brought in David Goldberg to demonstrate Japanese blade forging. http://www.nait.ca/course_IRON401.htm?AsOfDate=2014-08-01 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hexus Posted June 7, 2016 Share Posted June 7, 2016 I teach Blacksmithing in Cranbrook BC (not far from Calgary) at the College of the Rockies. https://www.cotr.bc.ca/Coned/course-view.asp?crsID=9107 I've been professionally working as a smith for 14 years. Feel free to check my work out at Ferrebral @ FB. https://www.facebook.com/Ferrebralironworks/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soupyjones Posted June 7, 2016 Share Posted June 7, 2016 Willow creek forge in Nanton does weekend classes sometimes. Not sure what he covers but it is less than an hour down the highway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hexus Posted June 7, 2016 Share Posted June 7, 2016 Martin Reinhard of Willowcreek Forge, great blacksmith! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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