Bladesmithing School Opens

[GIames]

Last August, Nick Wheeler, announced the opening of a new Blacksmithing/Bladesmithing school located on the West Coast. Indeed, the blacksmithing component of Sierra Forge and Fire has been operational since October 2004.

I have recently been in contact with ABS Mastersmith Michael Vagnino and he reports that the bladesmithing portion of the school is set to open in March 2005. Vagnino will initally offer four core courses such as: Hollow Grinding, Flat Grinding, Introduction to the Hand Forged Blade and Intermediate Forging, Fit and Finish of the High Performance Blade. Later offerings will feature courses taught by ABS Mastersmiths Tim Hancock, Rick Dunkerley, Josh Smith, Ron Newton, Harvey Dean and award winning folder maker Richard Rogers.

Sierra Forge and Fire is an incorporated not-for-profit 501(c) organization located in California's central San Joaquin Valley, near the exact midpoint of the State and at the foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The school is housed in a 1920's historic brick building that has 15,000 square feet of teaching space completely outfitted for and dedicated to the fine art of Bladesmithing/Blacksmithing.

Each of the four core courses are designed to last one week in duration (Mon-Fri) and will cost roughly $600-$700 per course. It is intended that along with the knowledge gained, each student will bring home a fully finished knife of their own making. So, come learn with the best!

For more information on these and other courses contact:

Sierra Forge and Fire
130 E. Maple Street
Exeter, CA 93221
Phone: (559) 592-2080
web-site: www.forgeandfire.com

Contact persons: Christopher Dery, owner
Mark Aspery, owner
Michael Vagnino - mvknives@lightspeed.net

Gary Iames
knifemaker
volunteer for the school