Liability Insurance For Teaching Bladesmithing

[KHall]

I have had friends over and worked with them to make knife. I now have people interested in paying to have a one or two day class to make a knife. This would be at my home shop. Since I do this more as a hobby than as my main income, I don’t any special insurance to cover the liability of someone getting hurt in the process of making a knife.

How do others handle these types of issues? Is there anything else I should be concerned about in teaching bladesmithing classes at home?

Thanks for the feedback.
Ken

 

[A C Richards]

I had a release of liability drawn up. Have the student sign it before they begin work. Insurance for knifemaking is not something easily had. If you can find it it is very expensive. If you join either ABANA or NWBA I think they have an insurance policy just for this type of situation. I just make sure I know the person well enough to be comfortable. Then if they do anything that makes you uncomfortable stop the lesson, refund the $$ and ask them to leave.

 

[KHall]

Thanks Chuck

Ken