Hammer skills are Blacksmithing Courses run by Bob Pickard RSS and concentrate on the basic skills required to enable students to progress onto more intricate forge work.

IF YOU JUST WANT A DAYS EXPERIENCE IN THE BLACKSMITH SHOP OR WISH TO PROGRESS TO CARRYING OUT YOUR OWN WORK THE COURSES ARE TAILORED TO SUIT EVERYONE.

  Now semi-retired. I worked as a Blacksmith and Farrier for over 45 years. I first entered the Blacksmiths shop as a 10 year old boy and was just fascinated by the work being done

 As a teenager if anybody wanted me I was in the blacksmiths and, on leaving school at 15, I began my apprenticeship. After completing my apprenticeship in the army I decided to start my own business at the age of 22.

The majority of the business was farriery based but always made time to carry out forge work, including gates, railings, balustrades and other ornamental works.

Over the years I trained several apprentices, who are all now qualified with not one failing any interim examinations or tests.

  I believe that the basic skills in the use of the hammer and the fire are essential in the production of any forge work.

The tuition focuses on the use and management of the fire to produce the correct temperature, the heat in the right place and the holding of the material being worked.

 Hammer work concentrates on the balance and control of the hammer coupled with the creation a rhythm which will assist in the efficiency of the hammer blows. One controlled hammer blow in the right place is far better than three bashes in the wrong place.

The course starts with hand held metal and moves on to holding the metal in the tongs. Students are instructed on how to set a pair of tongs and if interested i can show you the the techniques used in the production of a pair of tongs.

Students are encouraged to produce an item of forged work to take away with them. This item may be a poker, a toasting fork or a scrolled bracket. The list is endless but if a student has an idea for a piece of work, if not to complicated, we will work together and try to produce the item.

SUMMARY

If you want to try your hand at working the hot steel as a days experience, then come along and have a go - you are in safe hands
If you struggle to forge ironwork to the standards you require, back to basics may be the answer. I believe that the basic skills are essential and give a good grounding in order to move on to the more technical elements of the blacksmiths work.

The courses are run in a relaxed manner with easy to follow instruction and techniques with the objective of instilling confidence in the student’s ability to progress to more detailed forge work.

 FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO MAKE A BOOKING I CAN BE CONTACTED AT

hammerskills1@gmail.com

REVIEWS OF THE COURSE CAN BE FOUND AT https://www.craftcourses.com/courses/blacksmithing-hammer-skills