Course - Railway Spike Knife (One Day)

Turn History Into a Tool to be Used for Generations! 

In this one day Knife Making Course, you’ll learn how to forge and shape your very own knife from a railway spike, creating a blade that is completely customised by you.

The railway spikes used in this course are sourced from Arizona and contain a high carbon content, making them an excellent material for forging knives.

From the first strike of the hammer to the final grind, you’ll be guided through each stage of the process by a professional blacksmith. You’ll have the freedom to shape and customise your blade, creating a truly unique piece to take home.

Itinerary

10:00am - Welcome & Safety

Arrive at the forge, settle in with a morning coffee, and meet your blacksmith. We’ll begin with a detailed safety talk covering the essential dos and don’ts in the forge, ensuring everyone knows how to work safely.

10:30am - Forge Your Blade

The forging begins! I’ll demonstrate each stage of the process before guiding you through it step by step. You’ll forge your railway spike into the basic shape of your knife, working through the forging process until lunchtime.

12:30pm - Lunch

Time to take a well-earned break and enjoy some lunch.

1:30pm - Shape & Customise

After lunch, we’ll begin shaping your knife using the belt grinders. This is where your design really starts to come together, allowing you to customise the shape and profile of your blade.

2:30pm - Grind the Bevel

Next, you’ll learn how to grind the bevel of your knife using the belt grinders. This gives your blade its distinctive cutting profile and brings your knife one step closer to completion.

3:30pm - Finishing Touches

Finally, we’ll safely wrap up your finished knife and make sure the blade is properly sharpened and ready for you to take home.

Important Information

Safety Equipment:

Leather aprons and safety goggles are provided and must be worn as instructed throughout the course. A full safety briefing will be given before the course begins and all participants must follow the safety instructions provided by the blacksmith.

Footwear:

For everyone’s safety, all students must wear flat, closed-toe shoes. Leather footwear is strongly preferred, and steel-toe shoes are recommended where possible.

High heels and open-toe footwear, including flip-flops and sandals, are strictly prohibited in the forge. Anyone arriving in unsuitable footwear will not be permitted to take part.

Looking for a Different Date?

Vouchers for this course are also available to purchase. They make a great gift for someone who would love to try their hand at knife making, or can be a flexible option if none of our upcoming course dates suit your schedule.

Purchase a voucher and contact us to arrange a course date that works for you, subject to availability.