Knife Making Experience Day – Forge a Viking Style Knife!
£225
A knife making course (experience day) at my forge in Stroud. Come get hands-on with fire and steel, enjoy the day, and walk away with a hand-forged knife made by YOU.
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Book an Experience Buy a Gift Voucher insteadGift vouchers are valid for 12 months and can be used for any experience day.
Available Dates & Spaces
Small group sizes by design. Dates often sell out in advance.
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What to Expect on the Day
Forge a Viking Style Knife – Knife Making Experience Day (Slad, Stroud, Cotswolds)
(Note: Experience day vouchers can also be purchased at the Stroud Farmer’s Market Stall most Saturdays – these are redeemable for any experience day. Just turn up to buy one, or email me or text/whatsapp on 07951 761 421)
Ever wanted to forge your own knife? Forge your very own Viking style knife at my forge in Slad, Stroud!
Forge Your Own Knife in a Day
We’ll start the day with a hot drink and a relaxed chat about health & safety. Then, it’s off to the forge to get cracking forging your Viking style knife!
We’ll use a combination of hand hammers and a forging press, knives will be made out of 1084 high carbon steel, then properly heat treated & tempered. The goal is for you to leave with your own custom-forged Viking style knife, with a real, sharp, live edge!
Our small group size (maximum 4 participants) ensures you get plenty of one-on-one guidance from me. We’ll finish between 5pm and 6:30pm, depending on how your knife is coming along.
Come get hands-on with this ancient craft, enjoy the day, and walk away with a hand forged knife, handmade by YOU.
What You’ll Make On The Knife-Making Workshop
- A Viking-style knife forged from 1084 high carbon steel
- Properly heat-treated, hardened, tempered and sharpened
- A blade with a real, usable, sharp edge
- A one-of-a-kind piece, forged by YOU!
The type of knife we’ll be making is also known as a Blacksmith’s knife, and is a one-piece knife, meaning it’s forged from one billet of steel, with a forged metal handle.
What You’ll Learn In The Knife-Making Class
- Correct hammer technique, blade shaping and tapering
- How to forge bevels and establish a clean, functional blade profile
- Using both hand tools and a forging press
- Normalising cycles to strengthen and stabilise steel
- Hardening, quenching and tempering
- Sharpening on a combination of a belt sander and specialist knife sharpening jigs
What Does a Viking Knife Making Day Look Like?
Every day will vary slightly, but below is the layout of a typical day making a viking style knife:
Morning Session
- Meet & greet with hot drink
- Relaxed safety briefing
- Forge introduction and tool overview
- Beginning the forging process – heating, striking, shaping the blade
- Forging bevels, taper, and point
Afternoon Session
- Normalising and hardening your blade for strength
- Tempering for toughness
- Refining the profile, filing and removing scale
- Sanding and polishing
- Sharpening your knife to a live cutting edge
- Photos, finishing touches, and optional overrun for completion
IMPORTANT BITS IN SUMMARY
- We start at 10:30am
- Please bring a packed lunch
- Wear natural fibres if possible (polyester can melt! Cotton is good, wool likely too warm in summer!)
- The forge can be COLD in winter, so wear multiple layers, this way you can wear more or fewer layers during the day as needed.
- Leather aprons, goggles and gloves will be provided
- We usually finish between 5pm and 6:30pm, depending on how your knife is coming along
Who This Experience Is For
- Total beginners – no experience required
- People wanting a proper hands-on blacksmithing experience
- Bushcraft and outdoor skills enthusiasts
- Gift seekers (birthdays, Christmas, anniversaries)
- Anyone who wants to learn real Viking-style knife forging
Why Choose Soulful Iron
- Real forging in a real blacksmith’s workshop – not a tourist-style simulation
- Small group size of 4 maximum, for a great instructor to student ratio
- A calm, relaxed and fun setting in the heart of the Cotswolds
- You go home with a genuinely functional knife you forged yourself
Age & Safety Requirements
- Minimum age 11
- Ages 11 to 18 needs a guardian present
- Under 18’s can make a knife, but it will be handed to the guardian to take home.
- Participants must be comfortable standing and using a hammer
- All PPE supplied
- No prior forging experience needed
Important Information
Timings
- Start time: 10:30am
- Finish time: 5pm to 6:30pm
What to Bring
- Packed lunch
- Drinks (tea & coffee provided)
What to Wear
- Natural fibres recommended (cotton or wool)
- Avoid polyester and synthetic fabrics
- Sturdy, closed-toe footwear
Provided by Us
- Leather aprons
- Gloves & safety goggles
- All tools and materials
Download Your Visitor Checklist
Before your experience day, download our printable checklist with everything you need to know — what to wear, what to bring, and how to prepare for your day at the forge.
Trusted by People Who've Experienced It Firsthand
Real words from people who stepped into the forge.
Knife Making Course FAQ
Do I need any experience for the knife making course?
Nope! This course is designed for complete beginners. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you have fun, and leave with a knife to be proud of!
Is the knife sharp?
Yes – you sharpen it yourself, with my guidance, during the final part of the course. Note that knife sharpening takes time to learn. If you struggle, I’ll happily help finish the sharpening for you
Can I book with a friend or partner?
Yes – pairs and groups of up to 4 are welcome! In fact, it’s GREAT fun to forge with family or friends.
Is it safe?
Whilst Blacksmithing and knife making is a dangerous activity, full safety gear, guidance and supervision are provided. Although I have a relaxed teaching style, I am strict on safety, and have an excellent safety record. Relax! You’ll have fun 🙂
What should I wear for my knife making course?
Are there any restrictions on jewelry or hair on the knife making course?
No restrictions as such. But long hair must be tied back or tied up (for safety). Jewelry. We recommend removing all rings if possible (we use machinery).
Should I bring a packed lunch, or are food/drinks provided?.
Bring your own packed lunch (a fridge is available), but there’s unlimited tea & coffee in the forge 🙂
Is all PPC equipment provided?
Absolutely. I provide all PPE needed. Googles and leather aprons must be worn at all times. Ear defenders are available when needed.
Ready to Experience It Yourself?
Step into the forge, work with real fire and steel, and leave with something you made with your own hands.