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
The price of this booking covers one person making one decorative sword over three full-day sessions.
This experience is also available for two to share over a two-day experience.
For large bookings we recommend our Decorative Sword Making experience over one day.
If you’re buying a voucher, the voucher will entitle the recipient to two full-day sessions making one decorative session with another person.
Reviews
Had an amazing 2 day experience!
We were forging our own sword!! The guys were great and really helped us make an awesome sword! A wonderful experience and will definitely do it again.
Great day and made a great gift for my hubby
Fantastic experience.as you make a knife from scratch. Experienced and great staff watching and guiding you but letting you get completely in tune with the whole process so it really is YOUR knife. Definitely recommend.
I would highly recommend this to anyone
Amazing experience making a sword with my 9-year-old son. The staff were brilliant and lasting memories were made, and my son already wants to return! Thank you
Best present ever!
I gave a 2-day sword making course as a 21st birthday present and it was the best present ever! Everyone at the forge was so lovely and my son had a brilliant time. Thank you, Nicky and team!
Explore Our Other Experiences
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!
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.
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.
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.