Wanting to apprentice a blacksmith

shinyedges

shinyedges

Unfaltering Love & Undeviating Will
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I live in Michigan, have been into knives and tools all my life. I'm looking for a blacksmith in Michigan or close by that I could apprentice under to learn how to forge. I did some digging around and found that their isn't a lot of schools or information on blacksmithing in my area. So what is the best way to go about learning how to forge, grind, and pick up all the knowledge necessary to make my own knives, swords, and tools?

I would possibly be willing to relocate to somewhere else if their was a school or person teaching the skills I would like to know.

I know BFC is a huge resource of information on this topic but I would like hands on learning as well as reading. Thanks in advance.
 
To start I would start reading through the stickies on knifemaking.
For the most part you can learn on your own. New England School of Metalwork in Maine has 1 week classes all the time.
If you learn proper forging technique at the beginning it will help immensely. After that all you need is a place to set up a little smithy for yourself.

After you have done your part to self teach and join a knifemaking guild, the ABS or ABANA and make friends you will find all the opportunities you could ask for.

I paid for forging lessons to start and now I have enough friends that if I need to learn something new I can simply visit someone. I still have classes I will pay for, but there is all the work I could ask for waiting for me.
Do you have an anvil, forge etc yet?!
 
As of right now I do not have an anvil or forge yet, do most guys build their own forge or purchase them? Ill be on the look out for an anvil ASAP.
There is a group in Michigan called the Michigan artist blacksmith association I will look into, bark river knives is in escanaba which is about 2.5 hours away from me and they have a "grind in" where they introduce people to making knives.. I'm considering attending the next grind in they have in September but I don't believe the grind in has any forging or blacksmithing involved.

Thank you for the advice, it is fairly intimidating not knowing anyone near me that can help and bladeforums is a freaking godsend ha.



Brian Ayres said:
To start I would start reading through the stickies on knifemaking.
For the most part you can learn on your own. New England School of Metalwork in Maine has 1 week classes all the time.
If you learn proper forging technique at the beginning it will help immensely. After that all you need is a place to set up a little smithy for yourself.

After you have done your part to self teach and join a knifemaking guild, the ABS or ABANA and make friends you will find all the opportunities you could ask for.

I paid for forging lessons to start and now I have enough friends that if I need to learn something new I can simply visit someone. I still have classes I will pay for, but there is all the work I could ask for waiting for me.
Do you have an anvil, forge etc yet?!
Click to expand...
 
I would say most guys build one. But it's influenced by skill, knowledge, finances and what's available. I use propane forges because I live in the city. I built all 3 of mine. I have a nice coal forge but it sits on the back porch as a fire pit.

The stickies at the top of the page in Shoptalk could probably answer every question you have.

An anvil, or anvil substitute, a forge, steel and a hammer and you are good to go. Good luck!
 
shinyedges said:
As of right now I do not have an anvil or forge yet, do most guys build their own forge or purchase them? Ill be on the look out for an anvil ASAP.
There is a group in Michigan called the Michigan artist blacksmith association I will look into, bark river knives is in escanaba which is about 2.5 hours away from me and they have a "grind in" where they introduce people to making knives.. I'm considering attending the next grind in they have in September but I don't believe the grind in has any forging or blacksmithing involved.

Thank you for the advice, it is fairly intimidating not knowing anyone near me that can help and bladeforums is a freaking godsend ha.
Click to expand...

Bark River doesn't forge any of their blades but the grind in would still be very informative. You can do stock removal or pick a blank to start but you will learn the process of attaching and shaping a handle as well as putting a convex grind on the blade. You will also see the tools used throughout each process and get the hands on time you want.

Which part of the UP are you from?
 
Thank you for the info and reply!
Brian Ayres said:
I would say most guys build one. But it's influenced by skill, knowledge, finances and what's available. I use propane forges because I live in the city. I built all 3 of mine. I have a nice coal forge but it sits on the back porch as a fire pit.

The stickies at the top of the page in Shoptalk could probably answer every question you have.

An anvil, or anvil substitute, a forge, steel and a hammer and you are good to go. Good luck!
Click to expand...
 
Sounds like the grind in will be very informative, I live at the very tip of the mitt just below the bridge and st. Ignace. Today I was in munising checking out the waterfalls.. Really beautiful area. Now im Looking forward to the grind in.. Should be a good time.
Eric@DLT said:
Bark River doesn't forge any of their blades but the grind in would still be very informative. You can do stock removal or pick a blank to start but you will learn the process of attaching and shaping a handle as well as putting a convex grind on the blade. You will also see the tools used throughout each process and get the hands on time you want.

Which part of the UP are you from?
Click to expand...
 
I'd call tomorrow and register if you are going to go. That's only a few weeks away now and spots will be getting thin.

If you go we'll see you there.
 
What kind of knives do you want to make? Your post says blacksmithing. So do you want to be a blacksmith as well?
I make knives, coppersmith and blacksmith.

I'd be better off if I had chosen just one. If knifemaking mostly I'd recommend getting a small shop together first then focus on the basics.

Forge, anvil, drill press, portabandsaw, and a belt grinder. If you forge you could even skip the grinder and use a c-clamp and draw file to finished shape.
The best thing is what you asked about. Find someone that can teach you and learn from them. Cut your learning curve down at the start.

Look at the NESM Intro to Bladesmithing courses and the knives the men and women who take their classes walk away with.
 
Will do, I'll register today. Thanks for the heads up on spots being limited. See you there.

Chris
Eric@DLT said:
I'd call tomorrow and register if you are going to go. That's only a few weeks away now and spots will be getting thin.

If you go we'll see you there.
Click to expand...
 
I figured I'd start learning to blacksmith and forge so that I'm more well rounded in making knives, (and tools) but currently thinking I should take your advice and set up a small shop for stock removal and start practicing. I want to make kitchen knives, hunting knives, outdoor/woods knives , belt knives.. Etc.. So perhaps I'll start getting a shop together then get into blacksmithing later.

I have a pretty decent knowledge of blade steels and heat treat ranges for desired performance or intended task so I'm not bare bones learning everything about knives. I've been a consistent knife enthusiast picking up all the information on knives as I could for the last 4 years while using them.. Now I want to make them. So kind of a jump from user to maker but my hearts in it and I'm passionate about steel so I'm all in.

Any info on belt grinders/sanders as far as which work best? Price is important too but less of an issue than some, so ill go after quality equipment from the jump.

Is there a sticky with a list of tools and equipment?

Brian Ayres said:
What kind of knives do you want to make? Your post says blacksmithing. So do you want to be a blacksmith as well?
I make knives, coppersmith and blacksmith.

I'd be better off if I had chosen just one. If knifemaking mostly I'd recommend getting a small shop together first then focus on the basics.

Forge, anvil, drill press, portabandsaw, and a belt grinder. If you forge you could even skip the grinder and use a c-clamp and draw file to finished shape.
The best thing is what you asked about. Find someone that can teach you and learn from them. Cut your learning curve down at the start.

Look at the NESM Intro to Bladesmithing courses and the knives the men and women who take their classes walk away with.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
I saw your post count so I figured you knew a bit.

I'm partial to Esteem Belt Grinders since my friend makes them. They are a great value for what you get.
On a budget if you are handy and do proper research on motor and VFD including what wheels a GIB 2.0 from Polar Bear Forge is a good budget option.

A Craftsman 2"x42" has often been the starter grinder people get. I bet if you go to the grind in you will make a friend or two and get an idea on what a good grinder will do.
I think there is about as much info as a person could need in the stickies at the top of the main Shoptalk sub forum.
That forum will also get 873% more replies to questions.



A good belt grinder will last a lifetime and retain most of its value so it's a good investment.

Peter Wright, Fisher, Mousehole, Arm & Hammer, Kohlswa, Hay Budden, Sodefors and several others are good anvils. 100# is a good weight for a smaller anvil.
 
I'll check out the esteem grinders, I tend to go with the ideology of "buy quality and cry once" (if that's how it goes lol).

From the pictures of the grind in on brk website they have some pretty large belt grinders, they look industrial. Im always blown away at how generous people on bladeforums are with knowledge.. What a great place it is. Looks like I'll be doing some long hours of reading, eating, sleeping and repeating..
Brian Ayres said:
I saw your post count so I figured you knew a bit.

I'm partial to Esteem Belt Grinders since my friend makes them. They are a great value for what you get.
On a budget if you are handy and do proper research on motor and VFD including what wheels a GIB 2.0 from Polar Bear Forge is a good budget option.

A Craftsman 2"x42" has often been the starter grinder people get. I bet if you go to the grind in you will make a friend or two and get an idea on what a good grinder will do.
I think there is about as much info as a person could need in the stickies at the top of the main Shoptalk sub forum.
That forum will also get 873% more replies to questions.



A good belt grinder will last a lifetime and retain most of its value so it's a good investment.

Peter Wright, Fisher, Mousehole, Arm & Hammer, Kohlswa, Hay Budden, Sodefors and several others are good anvils. 100# is a good weight for a smaller anvil.
Click to expand...
 
TAG grinder by Wilmont, and the TW-90 by Travis Wuertz will make you cry and smile all at once. The Esteem is a Bader clone that is slightly improved. KMG by Beaumont is probably the most common.

I recommend a 2"x72" and either 1.5hp or 2.0hp minimum 3phase with a KBAC VFD so you have speed control without step pulleys.

Also a 9" disc is a great second grinder. In fact you could make knives with a good 9" disc alone. I have the Rod Nielsen quick change disc system. It's awesome.
 
well, when I called to reserve a spot at the grind in turns out there's a 12 person waiting list already:rolleyes: looks like ill be learning by my lonesome with sensei bladeforums as my instructor lol I was poking around the kmg website and see a 3 hp vfd is around 2k...I don't mind dropping the coin on it but if there is a better machine for the same price I want to make a well informed purchase.. ill check out the other grinders in the stickies and that you mentioned brian.
 
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