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 Axe Head
You will start the forging process by drifting and shaping the eye of the axe head, you will then forge the cheeks with processes such as cross peening and fullering to move and manipulate the material to its intended location.
4
Shaping the Axe Head
You will then begin work on the business end of the axe, the decorative axe is made out of mild steel and you will only shape the face of the axe, if you are making a functional axe you will begin to shape the face of the axe then forge wield the high carbon edge, this is to give you a harder blade that is better able to maintain sharpness when being used.
5
Finishing
When the axe head is shaped it is out to the grinding bay to use tools to shape and grind a bevel into the axe head using tools such as an angle grinder, if required you will harden the axe with oil quenching. Our team will discuss handle options available and either assist with fitting your handle or support in how to do this yourself.
6
Handling
The last step is handling your pizza axe, we use a number of woodworking tools to shape the handle and fit your axe. This will ensure it’s smooth and comfortable to use, or simply looking beautiful to display!
7
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
The price of this booking covers two people making one pizza axe together.
We welcome groups of friends to come and take part together – simply adjust the number of people when making your booking.
If you’re buying a voucher, the voucher will entitle the recipients to a full-day session making one pizza axe.
Reviews
We had a fantastic day here
Neither of us had ever done anything like this before and yet we have come away with beautiful matching rings which are all the more special because we made them for each other. Your staff are excellent teachers, blending humor and patience with just the right level of support and tuition to enable us to develop new skills and gain so much satisfaction from the different processes. We enjoyed this so much we are sending you our daughter and son-in-law to make a sword in the summer. Thank you again, especially Joe and Ben for making this such a memorable experience.
We had a brilliant day forging our own wedding rings
The team was so fantastic and everyone was so friendly and helpful. Ben in particular helped us to produce the rings we were imagining, but everyone was very approachable and had lots of tips and tricks. We are so pleased with the results, I highly recommend this experience!
Terrific day at Oldfield Forge
Friendly, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic staff who brilliantly guided us through the process of making our wedding rings. Hard work at times, but excellent fun. You can make daggers, swords, kitchen knives, axes, and other stuff too. Can’t recommend the place enough.
A really fun day and learned some new skills
Just got back from a fantastic day making wedding rings. Great location and facilities and superb knowledgeable staff…… loved it.
Explore Our Other Experiences
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.
Aaron started by dabbling in farriery after getting bored at his old desk job and found out that he was pretty good at it. Even years later he doesn’t regret […] Aaron started by dabbling in farriery after getting bored at his old desk job and found out that he was pretty good at it. Even years later he doesn’t regret a thing. His favorite part about the job is being able to express himself artistically and smashing hot steel.
Ethan came to Oldfield Forge on a hammer course and instantly fell in love with the craft. He originally trained in carpentry and is the youngest blacksmith on the team. […] Ethan came to Oldfield Forge on a hammer course and instantly fell in love with the craft. He originally trained in carpentry and is the youngest blacksmith on the team. Ethan enjoys all aspects of the trade and wouldn’t consider going back. His favorite course to teach is the knife-making experience.
Joe is our Forge Manager. He has seen the business grow from a small workshop to what you see today! He has a degree in product design, but his passion […] Joe is our Forge Manager. He has seen the business grow from a small workshop to what you see today! He has a degree in product design, but his passion has always been history. Joe wanted to take the love of making things and his passion for history and smack them together… literally!