April 12, 2026

Scott started a monster damascus billet today--17 layers! He did such a good job forge welding it. This is going to be a good one to watch!

April 12, 2026

Tori and her father Bill came to the forge for the first time today. They made beautiful Railroad Spike Knives!

April 14, 2026

Birthday Magic Wands! Alicia and her daughter Jamaria were back in the forge today to make Railroad Magic Wands Jamaria's birthday!

April 14, 2026

It was a magical class with the team from Flowserve! So much hammering and creativity forging Railroad Spike Magic Wands!

April 15, 2026

Dan was back today and I may have talked him into making a damascus dagger. so today he got the billet forge welded. And the first fold done.

April 15, 2026

Stephanie and Neal were back to start their Damascus knives. They both started with 13 layers, gotten first fold done to make 26 layers. Next time more folds and shaping the blade.

April 16, 2026

Fantastic morning with the level 2 (11-13 yr old) homeschoolers! Lucas and Judah finished their short swords. Lucas chose a copper guard, with African Rosewood handle. Judah chose a brass guard with a curly maple handle, with a slight toasting to bring out the grain. They're both beautiful swords! And they did great with their first time working with copper and brass!

Landon started a damascus billet, which he will continue working on in Level 3 this fall. He worked fairly independently, remembering what he learned earlier this year.

And then Elijah made a shield to go with his sword! This was fun -- lots of artistic choices made along the way! Instead of his original idea of cutting the cross out, he chiseled the shape and then use the dremmel torch to create the fired color. Then leather straps were riveted on.

So much creativity in these 4. They will all be back next year for Level 3, and I can't wait to see what blacksmithing, bladesmithing, and metal art projects they come up with!

April 16, 2026

New flowers! Breanna, and I, were inspired by another blacksmith we saw online to make bluebells! These are just so cool looking! Definitely a statement piece. Sometimes you really do just have to go big!