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www.ArtistBlacksmith.com
Ontario
Blacksmith Courses
Thank you for your course interests!
Unfortunately at this time I
am
Not taking Any
Students.
Basic
Blacksmithing Intermediate
Pattern Welding Propane
Forge Knife
Making Organics
David
has been teaching
introductory blacksmithing
classes at his
workshop in Ontario since
1993. He
recently has taught
blacksmithing at Fleming
College's Haliburton School
of the Arts Campus. David is a graduate of
Ontario's University of
Waterloo Engineering program
and has
his work in private
collections in Canada, the
United States, Ireland and
Germany. David no
longer uses blacksmithing
coal as his primary heat
source. He now prefers the modern
convenience of a propane
blacksmith forge to teach
his blacksmithing courses.
This allows the students
to concentrate on the
historical techniques
without having to master
working with the coal
fire. He does explain the
coal forge in detail for
those students that are
interested .
"I invite
you to take a look at my
current blacksmith course
offerings! You will
find basic blacksmithing
as well as intermediate
to advanced blacksmithing
class listings.
If
you don't see
something that fits
your schedule let me
know and we will see
what we can arrange.
All classes are taught
at my workshop in
Cargill."
In times past the art of the blacksmith was a cherished
secret passed
down only from
master to
apprentice.
After the
skills of
blacksmithing
nearly
disappeared in
the mid 20th
century in
North America,
many smiths
have opted for
openness about
the craft.
This means
that many more
people have
opportunity to
learn these
skills in
blacksmith
classes.
I offer
several
courses /
classes at my
blacksmith
shop in Bruce
County ( 1.5
hours north of
Kitchener,
Ontario). I
work with a
maximum of 4
students and
each student
has their own
work station
but share a
forge.
The
blacksmithing
classes are
designed to
take the
student, in a
single
weekend, from
an interest in
artistic
blacksmithing
to actually
producing
small useful
projects.
At the end of
the course the
student will
have been
given the
information to
set up a basic
home shop,
including
suppliers and
equipment
required.
I
provide all
the required
tools and
related safety
equipment, as
well as snacks
and drinks.
The student
should bring
leather boots
or shoes, and
a lunch.
Basic
Blacksmithing
Class
Regular Price
$650.00 CND
Includes HST
Members Price
$600.00 CND
Includes HST
Currently
Maximum 4
students.
This course is
designed for
those with an
interest in
blacksmithing
but have no
previous
experience. 18
hours of
instruction
and
supervision.
Friday
night 6 pm to
9 pm
We
cover safety,
introduction
to tools large
and small,
proper hammer
technique, and
the first
project of a
Tool Hook.
Techniques:
drawing out,
curling,
notching,
curving, hot
cutting.
Saturday
9 am to 5 pm
Consists
of a series of
projects with
techniques
building upon
each other.
Projects
include Coal
Rake, Leaf
Hook, Finials,
and Tongs.
Techniques
include:
Pointing,
Flattening,
Shepherd's
Crook, Hot
Reverse
Twisting,
Pointing Flat
Bar,
Pattern
Punching,
Offsetting ,
Shouldering,
Through
Punching,
Leaves
Sunday
9 am to 5 pm
Starts
with a
discussion of
alloy steels
and follows
with making a
Cold Chisel
from high
carbon steel,
Finishing
Tongs,
Discuss
Setting up a
Personal
Workshop,
Several Hours
are set aside
for working on
a Personal
Project.
All materials
are provided
(personal
projects may
require
additional
expense) .
Projects and
techniques may
vary depending
on student
interest and
capabilities.
I also provide
water as
needed through
out the days.
Lunch is not
provided.
Accommodations
There
are several
Bed and
Breakfasts
located
nearby.
Silver Creek
B&B
Ruby
Huygen
17
Younge St. S
Walkerton
519-881-0252
About 15
minutes south
of my
workshop.
Chepstow
Inn
http://www.chepstowinn.com/
About 10
minutes south
of my
workshop.
Dates for
2026
Currently
Suspended
Please
call or email for motels and campgrounds.
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David
Teaching
a Basic
Blacksmith
Course On Site
at Joseph
Schneider Haus
Museum,
Kitchener
Ontario
David
Teaching
A Junior
Blacksmith
Course at
Joseph
Schneider
Haus,
Kitchener
Ontario
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Past
Student
Comments:
First let me say,
from my
perspective,
that David's
course was
very
informative,
well
developed, and
an overall
excellent
course.
He covered the
fundamentals
as to what is
needed to set
up a shop
including safety,
tools,
resources,
and references,
and provided
2+ days of
great hands-on
instruction.
After I got
home and
reviewed all
the items that
I made during
the course
with my
family, I was
amazed at how
much we
covered and
accomplished
in the short
time
there.
......
Secondly,
I selected
David's course
for a couple
of basic
reasons, I
liked what he
was offering,
the size and
scope of the
classes, and
it was within
about a 5 to 6
hour drive of
where I
live. I
did pass up
other courses
which were
closer to
where I live
because of the
course
content. I
have only
great things
to say about
the course and
David has been
great in
responding to
follow up
questions/support
after the
course.
G.
Thomas
I
want to thank
you for the
great class.
It was an
experience I
will never
forget.
I really
enjoyed myself
and working
with a master
craftsman was
great. I
am getting the
emails and
hope to
continue that.
I will
probably
get a small
gas forge at
some point in
the near
future.
I have a small
anvil for
now.and will
get a couple
of hammers.
Dave
thanks again
for a great
time. I
learned a lot.
L.
Covert
We
have been a
bit remiss in
letting you
know how much
both
Christopher
and I enjoyed
your Basic
Blacksmithing
class.
Although we
both had some
experience the
techniques and
projects added
to our skill
level quite
quickly, this
is allowing us
to explore a
variety of
different
techniques.
As a father it
was fun to me
to watch my
son learn at
his pace and I
was surprised
by his skill
and intuitive
insight of how
he could move
the metal. He
is already
talking
about
for his next
break from
college.
Certainly the
drive from the
USA was well
worth what we
gained, I
could not have
picked a
better class
for us to
attend!Thanks
and hope
things are
well!
R.
Taddiken
Hi
David,
I
have been
meaning to get
this email out
all week, but
getting back
to work after
having the
summer off was
difficult.
I wanted to
thank-you
again for the
basic
blacksmithing
course.
It was
amazing.
After having
read over
several books,
including your
own, it
was a pleasure
to finally get
a chance to
try it
out.
Your course is
well laid out,
building skill
as the
projects
increase in
complexity.
Your
background
does you
credit, and I
thank your for
getting into
the material
science of
what we were
doing.
I
plan to
continue my
education and
hope to take
the
intermediate
course in the
near future.
(probably next
summer)
In the mean
time I plan to
build a
gas forge and
pick up some
tools. I
would like to
get started
this
fall.
cheers,
Jay
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Intermediate
Blacksmithing
Class
Regular Price $650.00 CND
Includes HST
Members Price
$600.00 CND
Includes HST
Fri. 6
pm to 9 pm
Sat.
and Sun.9 am
to 5 pm
This
blacksmithing
course is less
project
oriented and
more technique
oriented. It
is also 18
hours of
supervision /
instruction.
Techniques
include: 2D
Punch Work, 3
D Punch work,
Forge Welding,
Splitting,
Upsetting,
Design
Discussion,
Introduction
to Air Hammer
use, Mortise
and Tenon,
Through
Punching,
Scrolls, Hot
Wrapping,
Wedge
Joint,
Hinges,
Forging Pipe.
Again a couple
of hours are
set aside on
Sunday for a
personal
project.
This
course
provides the
student with a
series of
blacksmithing
skills that
they can take
home and
directly
translate to
the work that
they are doing
there.
Techniques
primarily
revolve around
the artistic
nature of the
craft with
traditional
joinery
highlighted.
Depending on
student
interest
techniques
taught may
follow other
lines of
discussion. Maximum enrolement 4 students.
Dates
for
Intermediate
Blacksmith
Course
Dates for
2026
Currently
Suspended
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Emily
at the air
hammer.
Past
Students
Comments
Hi David,
Just getting home and wanted to say thanks again for such an amazing course- I had a blast this weekend!
You create such a positive learning environment; really laid-back yet perfectly structured into steps that we were able to work through. My head is still spinning from everything we covered!
Thanks once again for taking the time to fire up and fix my forge- I really appreciate it. Now I have no excuses to not do my homework (which would be: practice, practice and more practice...and finishing my pot rack!).
I also wanted to say thanks for being so attentive to our 'personal blacksmithing aspirations' and giving us pointers/insights throughout the weekend to steer us in the right direction and get the 'wheels turning'.
You are an awesome teacher! I will definitely be sending questions your way as the brain continues to digest the information.
Many thanks and see you again in the future!
Cheers,
Deanna
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Pattern
Welding Knife
Making
Blacksmith
Course
Regular Price $850.00 CND
Includes HST
Members Price
$800.00 CND
Includes HST
Fri. 6
pm to 9 pm
Sat.
and Sun.9 am
to 5 pm
This
course is
designed for
the individual
who
has
some
skill at forge
welding,
and wants to
explore the
area of
Damascus
knives. This
course runs
with a max. of
2 people.
The course
covers the
basics of
Knife
Formation,
Cable
Damascus, Odd
Pattern Stuff
(Chainsaw
Chain etc.),
Making the
Billet, Secure
Welds, Pattern
Generation,
Alloys,
Etching
Solutions.
Grinding
techniques are
mentioned but
are not the
focus unless
there is time.
This
course
stresses the
billet process
and depending
on time and
aptitude the
completion of
a knife is
secondary.
Dates For
Pattern
Welding
(Damascus
Steel)
Dates for
2026
Currently
suspended
For
added Details
on Knife
Making Courses
Click on
Bladesmithing and Knife Making Courses
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Pattern
Welded
Dagger.
Two
Pattern Welded
Nickel
Damascus
Knives.
Comment
After
a Recent
Custom Pattern
Welding Course
I just wanted
to send you a
note to once
again say
thanks for a
great
experience. My
brother and I
had a lot of
fun and
learned a
tremendous
amount from
you in a short
time. You
provided
excellent
instruction in
a comfortable
and often
humorous way
which also
allowed us to
excel and push
ourselves. I
definitely
want to try
this again. It
would be fun
to experiment
with different
metals, shapes
and patterns.
Once again
thanks,
E. Sheffield,
Toronto |
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Propane
Blacksmith
Forge Workshop
Scheduled at Mutual Convenience
One Day
Only
Sat. 9
am
to 5 pm
This
one day
workshop is
limited to 2
people. Each
of you will
build a
complete
working
atmospheric
gas forge!
(Blower forge
is also
possible for
extra cost.)
You will learn
about burner
construction
and dynamics,
shells and
insulation,
hazards of
propane, and
general
construction
techniques!
The course fee
includes all
materials for
the forge
construction,
and hose and
regulator. You
will have to
provide a
propane tank
at home.
Since many of
the materials
I have to buy
out of town I
require the
full course
fee 1 month in
advance.
(Don't worry
if you miss
the course you
still get a
gas forge just
not the
knowledge.)
Also See
Gas Forge Construction Manual
Course Dates :
Currently
Suspended
Week
Long Courses
(For Specialty Courses or Week Long Courses Please Contact Me)
I am willing
to design a a
week long
program
specific to
your interests
or needs for a
time slot that
is mutually
convenient.
This is
intensive and
usually hot in
the summer. If
you want to
jump start a
career or
boost a hobby
this may be
for you.
Questions
about possible
course content
please direct
to me.
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Blower
Forge shown.
Atmospheric
Propane Forge
is also
possible to
build.
Previous
Garden Gate
Course
Halburton
School of Arts
and Design
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Basic
Knife Making
Course
Regular
Price $650.00 CND
Includes HST
Members Price $600.00
CND
Includes HST
Fri. 6 pm
to 9 pm
Sat.
and Sun.9 am to 5 pm
Knives
are a fundamental tool
in our lives whether it
be in our
kitchens, workshops, or
on hunting trips. I have
had many requests for a
knife making work shop
and have usually
suggested people do some
blacksmithing first.
There is a need for
hammer control and an
appreciation for the
narrow temperature range
that the tool steel must
be worked at and these
things do require time
to grasp.
It is recommended that
you have some past
forging experience, but
I will try to
accommodate those that
have no experience as
well. This course will
concentrate on blade
formation and heat
treating, with less
emphasis on grinding.
Some grinding will be
involved but it will not
be the main focus. I
hope each student will
be able to complete 2
knives at least to the
point that they can
finish them at home.
This will of course
depend on experience and
ability.
One Knife will be a
Romano-British or
"Blacksmith Knife". The
second will be slab
handle, full tang. The
students have choice of
what style of knives
they make. These
projects may change
without notice.
Dates for Basic Knife
Making Course
Dates for 2026
Currently Suspended
For added Details on Knife Making Courses Click on
Bladesmithing and Knife Making Courses
New!
Advanced
Knife Making
Regular
Price $650.00
Including
HST
Members
Price $600.00
Including
HST
Friday
6 pm to 9 pm
Sat. and Sun. 9 am to
5 pm
This
course is limited to
two people and
is
dedicated to the
production of two
complete
integral
bolster knives.
This
includes forging,
primary grinding
primary
sanding, heat
treating,
secondary
sanding, scale wood
handles,
finish
sanding.
Prerequisite
- You must have some
previous
experience
with forging hot metal
and knife making.
Dates
for 2026
Currently
Suspended
For added Details on Knife Making Courses Click on
Bladesmithing and Knife Making Courses
Forged Jewellery
Course
Maximum of 2 people
on this course.
Regular
Price $650
Including HST
Members Price $600
Including HST
Friday
6 pm to 9 pm
Sat. and Sun. 9 am
to 5 pm
This course is
designed around
small scale forge
work suitable for
jewellery. Focus
will be on working
with ferrous and non
ferrous such as
bronze and copper
using forged design
elements.
Projects may include
ear rings, brooches,
pendents, bracelets
and others.
Techniques may
include drawing out,
doming, curling,
riveting, casting,
cutting. polishing,
punching etc.
Possibility of
welding or
brazing/soldering
depending on
students ability and
time restraints.
Dates
2026
Currently Suspended
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Botanical
Blacksmithing
Course
Regular Price $650.00 CND
Includes HST
Members Price
$600.00 CND
Includes HST
Max 4
students
Fri. 6
pm to 9 pm
Sat. and Sun.9
am to 5 pm
This course is a
specialty course on
creating organic forms.
Flowers, leaves,
tendrils etc. It will be
a combination of hand
work and power hammer
work. Although the power
hammer work will be
directly related to the
hand work it will be on
larger stock.
The goal of this course
is to show you some
basic hand techniques to
create Botanical Forms
and then scale the
process up to power
hammer techniques.
Topics Discussed
Tendrils
Punching Petals
Veining
Plain leaves
Folded leaves
Texturing
Long Leaves
Short Leaves
Calla Lily Flowers
Cattails
Roses
Bark Pattern
Grape Vine
Free Form Forging
Dates
for Botanicals
Course
Currently Suspended
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Hand
Forged Stylized Flower
Flower
Inspiration
Forged Copper Rose
Detail |
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One
Day Specialty
Blacksmithing Classes
| Courses!
Currently suspended
For
$350.00 per day I will
teach specific
techniques and while the
student is
practicing I will be
working on my own
projects. Times to be
arranged
at our mutual
convenience. Additional
material charges
possible.
Specialty Courses Might
be
- Axes
- Spear Heads
- Advanced or
Specialty Flowers
- Tool Making
- Hand Hammer
Making
- Jewellery
- Copper or Bronze
Work (additional charges for
material)
- Sculptural
- And Others.
Inquire by email and I will
see if it is possible.
For $550.00 per day I
will work on your
particular project with
your help.
Other dates may be arranged.
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Artist
Blacksmith
David
Robertson
R.R. #2
Cargill, Ontario,
Canada, N0G1J0
519 366 2334
Contact
Learn How to Make
Your Own Gas Forge Here!
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