CLASSES AND EVENTS
*NO* March IBA Open Forge
Due to a scheduling conflict, the March IBA Open Forge has been canceled. We will see you in April!
Intro to Stock Removal Knives 4/12/25
So you’ve always wanted to make a knife?
This class is a great place to start, we’ll begin with stock removal vs forging, material selection, the tools needed and how to heat treat before getting to work on a preheat treated blank. We’ll grind the bevels, attach and shape the handle scales and finish with a sharp ready for action tool.
San Mai Spear
The Coal School of Iron invites you to spend a day wielding fire and steel in this one-day blade smithing class
No prior experience needed! Just bring your curiosity, grit, and a thirst for adventure. We'll provide the rest, including expert instruction, top-notch equipment, and a fiery atmosphere that will ignite your passion.
Limited spots available! Claim your place at the forge today!
April IBA Open Forge
Come and join our monthly IBA Open Forge! During this free event, you can expect to get hands on experience with some top notch Coal Iron Works gear and access to our “Forge Master” for questions and assistance with new projects or processes you’d like to try out.
Intro to the Forged Blade
The Coal School of Iron invites you to spend a day wielding fire and steel in this one-day blade smithing class
No prior experience needed! Just bring your curiosity, grit, and a thirst for adventure. We'll provide the rest, including expert instruction, top-notch equipment, and a fiery atmosphere that will ignite your passion.
Limited spots available! Claim your place at the forge today!
Making It Stick: Intro to Damascus Steel 5/10/25
Learn how to get clean, solid forge welds in high carbon steel, gain understanding of basic pattern manipulation, get efficient and high yield restocks, grasp finishing techniques and come home with a bar of your very own Damascus steel.
Forging the Yakut Knife
The Coal School of Iron invites you to spend a day wielding fire and steel in this one-day blade smithing class
No prior experience needed! Just bring your curiosity, grit, and a thirst for adventure. We'll provide the rest, including expert instruction, top-notch equipment, and a fiery atmosphere that will ignite your passion.
Limited spots available! Claim your place at the forge today!
May IBA Open Forge
Come and join our monthly IBA Open Forge! During this free event, you can expect to get hands on experience with some top notch Coal Iron Works gear and access to our “Forge Master” for questions and assistance with new projects or processes you’d like to try out.
June IBA Open Forge
Come and join our monthly IBA Open Forge! During this free event, you can expect to get hands on experience with some top notch Coal Iron Works gear and access to our “Forge Master” for questions and assistance with new projects or processes you’d like to try out.
July IBA Open Forge
Come and join our monthly IBA Open Forge! During this free event, you can expect to get hands on experience with some top notch Coal Iron Works gear and access to our “Forge Master” for questions and assistance with new projects or processes you’d like to try out.
Intro to Stock Removal Knives 8/9/25
So you’ve always wanted to make a knife?
This class is a great place to start, we’ll begin with stock removal vs forging, material selection, the tools needed and how to heat treat before getting to work on a preheat treated blank. We’ll grind the bevels, attach and shape the handle scales and finish with a sharp ready for action tool.
August IBA Open Forge
Come and join our monthly IBA Open Forge! During this free event, you can expect to get hands on experience with some top notch Coal Iron Works gear and access to our “Forge Master” for questions and assistance with new projects or processes you’d like to try out.
2025 Axe Intensive
Learn to make things that CHOP! In this course students will learn to forge axe making tools, 2 styles of axes, and ending with grinding, heat treat, and hanging axes on a handle.
September IBA Open Forge
Come and join our monthly IBA Open Forge! During this free event, you can expect to get hands on experience with some top notch Coal Iron Works gear and access to our “Forge Master” for questions and assistance with new projects or processes you’d like to try out.
Intro to the Forged Blade
The Coal School of Iron invites you to spend a day wielding fire and steel in this one-day blade smithing class
No prior experience needed! Just bring your curiosity, grit, and a thirst for adventure. We'll provide the rest, including expert instruction, top-notch equipment, and a fiery atmosphere that will ignite your passion.
Limited spots available! Claim your place at the forge today!
October IBA Open Forge
Come and join our monthly IBA Open Forge! During this free event, you can expect to get hands on experience with some top notch Coal Iron Works gear and access to our “Forge Master” for questions and assistance with new projects or processes you’d like to try out.
Making It Stick: Intro to Damascus Steel 11/8/25
Learn how to get clean, solid forge welds in high carbon steel, gain understanding of basic pattern manipulation, get efficient and high yield restocks, grasp finishing techniques and come home with a bar of your very own Damascus steel.
November IBA Open Forge
Come and join our monthly IBA Open Forge! During this free event, you can expect to get hands on experience with some top notch Coal Iron Works gear and access to our “Forge Master” for questions and assistance with new projects or processes you’d like to try out.
Making It Stick: Intro to Damascus Steel 3/15/25
Learn how to get clean, solid forge welds in high carbon steel, gain understanding of basic pattern manipulation, get efficient and high yield restocks, grasp finishing techniques and come home with a bar of your very own Damascus steel.
February IBA Open Forge
Come and join our monthly IBA Open Forge! During this free event, you can expect to get hands on experience with some top notch Coal Iron Works gear and access to our “Forge Master” for questions and assistance with new projects or processes you’d like to try out.
The Forged Rose
Join us for a captivating blacksmithing experience as we delve into the art of forging a stunning rose from raw materials. This one-day class offers a blend of traditional blacksmithing skills and contemporary methods, providing a unique opportunity to create a timeless symbol of craftsmanship and beauty—a forged rose that embodies both technique and artistry.
Intro to the Forged Blade
The Coal School of Iron invites you to spend a day wielding fire and steel in this one-day blade smithing class
No prior experience needed! Just bring your curiosity, grit, and a thirst for adventure. We'll provide the rest, including expert instruction, top-notch equipment, and a fiery atmosphere that will ignite your passion.
Limited spots available! Claim your place at the forge today!
January IBA Open Forge
Come and join our monthly IBA Open Forge! During this free event, you can expect to get hands on experience with some top notch Coal Iron Works gear and access to our “Forge Master” for questions and assistance with new projects or processes you’d like to try out.
Andy Davis Hammer-In 2024
Join us December 6th and 7th for the second annual Andy Davis Hammer-In!
Multi Bar Damascus
Join Mark and Dale Winburn of Winburn Steel
for a 2 day damascus intensive, intended to teach you the process of making multibar damascus from scratch. On day 1, students will learn the methods of hot cutting and folding a package of flat damascus to reach a desired layer number. On day 2, students will form bars from this billet, and learn to forge weld these bars together by hand. Students can expect to leave the class with a completed multibar billet of damascus consisting of 4 bars, and bring home the skills used to make it.
2024 Axe Intensive
Learn to make things that CHOP! In this course students will learn to forge axe making tools, 2 styles of axes, and ending with grinding, heat treat, and hanging axes on a handle.
Intro to the Forged Blade - August
The Coal School of Iron invites you to spend a day wielding fire and steel in this one-day blade smithing class
No prior experience needed! Just bring your curiosity, grit, and a thirst for adventure. We'll provide the rest, including expert instruction, top-notch equipment, and a fiery atmosphere that will ignite your passion.
Limited spots available! Claim your place at the forge today!
Team Strike: Hammer Smith
Join Steve King, Rob Hough, and Paul Kennedy for a 2 day Hammer Making course using traditional team striking techniques!
The cost of the class will include tuition, material fees, as well as bagels and coffee in the morning each day. Housing and transportation options are not available at this time and are the responsibility of the student. Local housing can be found at visitandersonmadisoncounty.com
This is a BEGINNER level class!
No prior experience needed! Just bring your curiosity, grit, and a thirst for adventure. We'll provide the rest, including expert instruction, top-notch equipment, and a fiery atmosphere that will ignite your passion.
Limited spots available! Claim your place at the forge today!
Suitable for all skill levels - must be 18+!
For smiths under 18, please reach out to school@coaliron.com to discuss optionsParticipants of this class will get to craft their very own hammer using team striking techniques- this means ALL hand work and a lot of big hammer swings! You’ll be working closely with a fellow student and or instructor throughout the process and will get to experience striking and directing for a full hammer build! Our professional IBA instructors will help teach you the following:
Hammer Design
Understanding hammer making and striking tools
Punching by hand
Striking/Directing with a partner
Hammer Heat Treat, hanging, and finishing
What you’ll need on the day of the class:
PPE (Safety Glasses, Ear Protection, Gloves, Respirator)
Closed toe shoes (safety toe is recommended) and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty
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We understand that sometimes circumstances change and you may need to cancel your attendance to one of our scheduled classes. However, please note that refunds are subject to the following policy:
If you cancel your attendance more than 30 days before the start of the class, you will receive a full refund of your registration fee.
If you cancel your attendance within 30 days of the start of the class, you will not be eligible for a refund.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but please understand that our classes have limited availability and we need to ensure that all registered attendees are committed to attending.
Class registration is non-transferable under any circumstances. The student in attendance must match the ID information of our class registration records.
If you have any questions, concerns, or need to make a cancellation, please do not hesitate to contact us at school@coaliron.com
The Coal School of Iron is not financially responsible for any other accommodations any student makes for themselves should a cancellation occur. This includes room and board, travel arrangements, travel insurance, etc.
Intro to the Forged Blade - April
The Coal School of Iron invites you to spend a day wielding fire and steel in this one-day blade smithing class
No prior experience needed! Just bring your curiosity, grit, and a thirst for adventure. We'll provide the rest, including expert instruction, top-notch equipment, and a fiery atmosphere that will ignite your passion.
Limited spots available! Claim your place at the forge today!
Power Hammer Fundamentals
Experience the pinnacle of power forging with a living legend, Kurt Fehrenbach in his POWER HAMMER FUNDAMENTALS seminar and lab!
Knight Elemental: Brute-De-Forge Chopper
Jump into the forge with Master Smith JASON KNIGHT to learn the ways of bladesmithing from a true LEGEND.
Hammer Time
It’s hammer time! Forge and finish your own blacksmithing hammer with Nathan Brandt in this half-day class!
The Forged Rose
Join us for a captivating blacksmithing experience as we delve into the art of forging a stunning rose from raw materials. This one-day class offers a blend of traditional blacksmithing skills and contemporary methods, providing a unique opportunity to create a timeless symbol of craftsmanship and beauty—a forged rose that embodies both technique and artistry.
Andy Davis Hammer-In 2023!
Join us December 1st and 2nd for the second annual Andy Davis Hammer-In!
Fundamentals of Modern Swordsmithing with Cedarlore Forge
This class teaches the fundamental skills needed to craft high-quality swords, with a focus on overall function and clean fit-up. Students will learn design, stock-removal grinding, blade heat-treating, and finishing techniques to create an original heirloom quality sword.
Hammer Time
It’s hammer time! Forge and finish your own blacksmithing hammer with Nathan Brandt in this half-day class!
Creating the Integral Knife with Charlie Ellis
Learn the ins and outs of integral blades, forged and finished with Charlie Ellis!
2023 Axe Intensive with River City Forge & Tool
Learn to make things that CHOP! In this course students will learn to forge axe making tools, 2 styles of axes, and ending with grinding, heat treat, and hanging axes on a handle.
Fundamentals of Modern Swordsmithing with Cedarlore Forge
This class teaches the fundamental skills needed to craft high-quality swords, with a focus on overall function and clean fit-up. Students will learn design, stock-removal grinding, blade heat-treating, and finishing techniques to create an original heirloom quality sword.
Forging Fundamentals
This is the start of learning to make things with hot steel and a hammer!
PRIVATE CLASSES
Private classes with one of our resident smiths is a great way to pick up specific skills in a one-on-one platform. You pick the project and talk with our smiths about getting a teaching plan put together based on experience levels and scheduled depending on availability. If you’re interested, fill out the form and let us know what you’d like to learn!
CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS
We understand that sometimes circumstances change and you may need to cancel your attendance to one of our scheduled classes. However, please note that refunds are subject to the following policy:
If you cancel your attendance more than 30 days before the start of the class, you will receive a full refund of your registration fee.
If you cancel your attendance within 30 days of the start of the class, you will not be eligible for a refund.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but please understand that our classes have limited availability and we need to ensure that all registered attendees are committed to attending.
Class registration is non-transferable under any circumstances. The student in attendance must match the ID information of our class registration records.
If you have any questions, concerns, or need to make a cancellation, please do not hesitate to contact us at school@coaliron.com
The Coal School of Iron is not financially responsible for any other accommodations any student makes for themselves should a cancellation occur. This includes room and board, travel arrangements, travel insurance, etc.