3 Day Kitchen Knife Course

About this course

Participants forge a kitchen knife from EN42J high-carbon steel or a similar material, using a gas forge to shape the blade before refining it with a grinder, file and abrasive paper. The course also covers thermocycling, heat treating, sharpening and edge testing. A smaller blade is made as a practice piece, while the main project is fitted with a simple handle and finished. Optional material choices include Damascus steel for the blade and burlwood or walnut for the handle.

What you'll learn

• Operate a gas forge to heat and shape knife steel
• Apply thermocycling to reduce grain growth during forging
• Refine a blade using grinding, filing and abrasive paper
• Carry out heat treatment and test a sharpened edge
• Fit a simple handle to a forged kitchen knife

Is this course right for you?

The course is designed for complete beginners, with no previous experience needed. Participation involves carrying out forging, grinding, heat treatment and handle-fitting processes. The main project is completed as a single kitchen knife, while a smaller blade provides additional forging practice.

• No previous experience is required
• The main project is one completed kitchen knife
• The smaller practice blade is not finished during the course

Before you go

• The main knife is made from EN42J high-carbon steel or a similar material.
• Damascus steel blades and burlwood or walnut handles are available as optional purchase choices.
• Premade handles are available to purchase if the smaller practice blade is to be taken home finished.