Blacksmith courses recommendations - DH Xmas present

[CoCoaButter85]

My DH has his birthday close to Christmas and trying to find something for him is a real struggle. However, he recently mentioned he would love to try one day blacksmith experience, like making your own knife or an axe. This would be brilliant idea for his birthday!!!

I would Soo much appreciate any recommendations! There's a lot online but I want it to be special for him so recommendations much needed.we are London based but can be outside London just to make a little break out of it as well 🙂

Im doing the same but not near London. The ones I've found are all booked up til well into the New Year which is annoying, like summer.

Have a look at West Dean College. I think they do those kinds of courses, but it might be over 2-3 days. They have accommodation on site.

I haven’t done this one, but I have been eyeing it up for a future present

https://www.westdean.ac.uk/short-courses/blacksmithing-metalwork

https://www.villagesmith.co.uk

I got a days knife making course here for my husband and he absolutely loved it!

There's one in lovely rural Shropshire! Hedge Ironworks

@RhaenysRocks - it's ok for if not London and flexible on dates too! I want it to be a special treat for him so he can choose whenever he wants to do it.

Thank you all for getting back to me. Trying to get some sleep now but will have a proper look through all suggestions tomorrow 🌸

There's a website called Craft Courses, I think, which might be useful.

I did one at Oldfield Forge in Herefordshire. Bit of a drive from London but you could make a weekend of it perhaps and see the Malverns etc? Was a few years ago but nice vibe. Currently £81 on Virgin Experience days.

Hello Chat GPT, done your Christmas shopping yet?

Who's that aimed at? Or just random trolling?

@ForestDad - they look really good! But as you rightly say I would need to plan a weekend away out of it as otherwise it is a long way to go. Love the look of Malverns, not something I've been before

@ForestDad The post is gone, it was a very weird AI post!

It seems that buying through Virgin works out cheapest. Just need to decide where to go. I really liked Dean college but I think that would work out quite pricey. At least his christmas present is sorted so still have some time to decide 😌

@ForestDad - I have no idea what that was about either... maybe making fun of me looking for advice. I don't mind keeping people entertained 😀

No it was just a clearly AI post that said something like 'Husbands enjoy tech gifts at this time of year. Some things you could buy him include an Apple iPhone, an iPad...' and on like that for ages. I'm guessing the poster's account got deleted.

I bought my SO a 'make your own dragon' blacksmith course. It was about 7 years ago, a place just south of Reading. He is welsh so seemed appropriate. But it was the first time they had run course and in practice it took a lot longer than 2 sessions to do it. Their publicity shows a dragon with magnificent flames coming from his mouth. My SO's dragon had flames when finished but you needed oxyacetylene welding stuff to get the affect (not a barbeque as I was thinking!). It was second best birthday pressie ever (his bday also in December)...I'll try and see if they are still running the course. Just a little word of warning, if you look at blacksmiths they are all chunky strong chaps (and a few chapesses). It takes a lot of effort and strength. Some of the women on the course were really struggling.

I think it was anvilforge.net. Try googling 'dragon making blacksmith course'. The picture on front page if web is spectacular. They also do knife courses etc. Starts with making a poker..we still use ours on our open fire.

I haven’t done it but I like the look of this one in Plymouth

https://theweldspace.co.uk/studio-stool-course

You could stay in Royal William Yard nearby, overlooking the waterfront, there’s also restaurants and a cinema whilst he’s bending metal.

https://www.booking.com/Share-35iRfd7

Brinsbury in West Sussex

https://www.brinsbury.ac.uk/courses/?courseemode=short-course&paged=2

Oh right that makes more sense.

Yea steel is hard to work even when a bit melty. I did a knife and candle holder in mild steel and was knackered with blisters on my hands from holding the hammer all day. Some guys there were making carbon steel knives which were a lot more work because you can't heat it as much to make it soft to work.

Lots of good suggestions here, hope you find something suitable OP.

I can recommend Peak Blacksmithing just outside Bakewell in the Peak District. Lots of really nice places to stay and other places to visit so we made a weekend of it for a special birthday.

I'm not sure what the courses are like, but the gallery is full of beautiful things www.fireandiron.co.uk/

I've heard good things about this place - https://www.owenbush.co.uk/about/

The national slate museum in Llanberis, north wales does a 3 day course.