What you’ll do
1
When you arrive
On arrival, you’ll be signed in and introduced to the smith who will talk through the course step-by-step and help you select which design you would like to make. We’ll discuss what you want to achieve for the day before providing you with protective equipment and a safety briefing.
2
Firing up the forge
The forge will have been lit and heating up before you arrive, so it’s ready to go! You will get an introduction on how to control and maintain the fire of the forge to a forging heat.
3
Forging the Blade
First, you will be forging the blade, you will begin by forging the tang with processes such as set downs, squaring and tapering. Then to the business end of the sword, you will forge the taper onto the blade. You can then choose to forge a sword fuller, a fuller is designed to provide stiffness for a blade. You’ll then bevel the blade, and it’s onto the pommel and cross guard.
4
Forging the Pommel and Crossguard
The pommel is the counterweight to balance the sword. In forging the pommel, you will be shaping steel using formers and hammers to decorate the pommel. For the crossguard, you will punch a hole in the crossguard, then use a process called drifting to fit the crossguard to the tang. You’ll then begin to shape and decorate your crossguard through a number of processes such as tapering, rounding, splating and scrolling to give your sword extra flair.
5
Finishing
You’ll begin the finishing process in the grinding bay, using angle grinders. You will then fit the handle to the sword through a process known as a burn through, where the tang is heated and the wooden handle is then pushed onto the tang to burn away a hole that fits the tang, once the handle is fitted it is time for final assembly, and one of our smiths will fit all the components together.
6
Photo Time
It’s great fun working alongside one another and crafting something unique! Once the forging is complete, it’s time to pose for those all-important photos at our wooden stage!
GUIDELINES FOR TAKING PART
Our experience day packages are physically demanding and have the potential for minor injury. Therefore, please seek advice from your doctor or our booking team if you’re unsure.
Be sure to dress accordingly, remembering that in the colder months it can get pretty chilly inside the workshop, despite the fires! Please wear long trousers and suitable footwear.
Make sure you follow the guidance on our website and what’s sent to you ahead of the event. And always listen to the instructions of our expert team on the day.
AVAILABILITY
The Forge is open all year round, seven days a week. Our online booking system will show you the availability in real time. Please be aware that weekends should be booked well in advance!
HOW BOOKING WORKS
Our online booking system is easy to use and allows you to choose a time and date that suits you. Once confirmed, you will receive an email with all the details you need, as well as an important form to complete.
HOW PRICING WORKS
This experience is designed for groups of four or more to share a one-day experience and make one sword together.
The price is £420.00 for a group of four, then £105.00 for each additional person.
Groups of five or more can make a small keepsake each to take away in addition to shared sword!
We also offer sword making activities for individuals or for two people.
If you have any questions about making a larger booking please get in touch with our team!
Reviews
Really enjoyed our visit to Oldfield Forge for my brother’s stag do
Great experience day that I’d highly recommend and with something cool to take home at the end of the day. The staff were fantastic and made for a really enjoyable day.
A flawless experience I will never forget!
The Perfect Blacksmithing experience! We went as a stag party of 4 and booked the sword-making experience and it was incredible! The team helps make your ideal sword, from real historical swords to swords from tv shows and films! A big shout out to Bob, Joe, Sam, and Theo, the guys were welcoming incredibly friendly, and funny and they even made the beginning safety announcements entertaining! They demonstrated the processes clearly and guided us through the experience, and at the end of the day, you really felt like one of the team. I couldn’t fault a single thing about the whole business. Thank you so much for an amazing day and I can’t wait to do it again!
Cannot recommend it enough
Ben and Theo led our stag do making a sword and knives. They were not only excellent teachers with good knowledge and manner but also top blokes. The whole group had an absolute blast and they really made the day special.
Absolutely fantastic experience.
Went for a stag do to forge a sword which we achieved through the hilarity and hard work. The team there are amazing, incredibly helpful, professional, and highly entertaining. I suggest everybody give them a go!
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Josh first discovered blacksmithing when he was on a trip to Dover Castle and saw a smith making arrowheads and fell in love with the craft. He did his initial […] Josh first discovered blacksmithing when he was on a trip to Dover Castle and saw a smith making arrowheads and fell in love with the craft. He did his initial training at Canterbury College and then his BA(HONS) in artist blacksmithing in Hereford. Josh comes from Deal in Kent and moved to Hereford and began teaching the craft at Oldfield Forge in the summer of 2022. His interests include Dungeons and Dragons and archery.
Ianto has been blacksmithing for 4 years. He first got the idea of being a blacksmith after watching Lord of the Rings. He wished he could learn to shape metal […] Ianto has been blacksmithing for 4 years. He first got the idea of being a blacksmith after watching Lord of the Rings. He wished he could learn to shape metal into different forms and stunning works of art that can be seen throughout the movies. When he finished high school he knew he wanted to go into a profession that could lead him to make movie props. Ianto went to Holme Lacy College and studied traditional blacksmithing, from there he left and found his way to Oldfield Forge. During his time at Oldfield, he has picked up the nickname Ianto Tanto, for the fact he enjoys teaching the Tanto’s and using the traditional Japanese smithing techniques.
Eve is relatively new to blacksmithing, but fell in love with it on the first hammer swing! She originally trained as an artistic welder and caster in Florida and loved […] Eve is relatively new to blacksmithing, but fell in love with it on the first hammer swing! She originally trained as an artistic welder and caster in Florida and loved making art that she can’t break with her own clumsiness.
Will has worked as a Blacksmith for many years and enjoys both teaching our workshops as well as forging beautiful pieces for our showroom. Will has worked as a Blacksmith for many years and enjoys both teaching our workshops as well as forging beautiful pieces for our showroom.