Tharwa Valley Forge

[Oldman]

A while ago, I tried to organise a knife making weekend with a couple of Kombi  Club members, Barry and Phil.
The plan was to visit Tharwa Valley Forge, on the outskirts of Canberra, to learn how to fold and forge different steels…..and ultimately make a couple of folded steel kitchen knives….sometimes referred to as Damascus steel.
Unfortunately I couldn’t attend the dates that we locked in due to a back injury, however I did eventually get there…..and this is the result:

   

I’ve wall mounted them using concealed magnets and rebated each into a piece of Huon Pine that I brought back from our Tassie kombi trip and use them regularly. They are razor sharp and,in my opinion, beautiful to look at and use.

I can’t recommend Tharwa Valley Forge and their staff highly enough. 
The course was full on, with long days and filled with awesome experiences….
If anyone is considering any blacksmithing/art/ knife making /axe making/ leather work etc. you won’t find a better bunch of instructors with access to the best equipment.

https://www.tharwavalleyforge.com/

A big shout out to Karim and his team for one of the best courses I’ve ever attended.
Bonus is, you can bring your bus and camp onsite. Amenities are top notch and you can have an open fire too…….all within walking distance of the river.
If I was living in the ACT, I definately be applying to work there in my retirement !

[Barry]

Yep - this is a fantastic thing to do. 
The Damascus Steel course is quite full on. 

Personal opinion - do it in winter. 
Whilst it is quite cold there overnight, like -5*C, it would be real hot in summer with them furnaces going

My knives 
   

You start with alternate pieces of carbon and nickel steel

   

And then the fun starts

   

   

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Lots on hammer work
Came home with a few blisters 

   

   

My chair was frozen by morning 

   

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A few months later I went back with 2 of my sons. 
It was a great way to spend some time with them. 

We did the folding knife course. 

Rather than forging, it is “stock removal”

We all came home with 2 great knives

   

   

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Whoo Hoo - getting the hang of the new forum and posting pics while on my phone 

[Oldman]

Nice re-count Barry 

[Barry]

I will add there is hardly a day / meal that the Damascus knives don’t get used. 
I have some other pretty good cooking knives, but they just feel like toys compared to these. 
The weight in them is just right

[Wombatventures]

There are days when you lot make me want to move east!
Maybe I'll just have to go over on a week or twos holiday.
I've always wanted to try knife making but time gets limited. They really are practical use artworks!
Like the way you've made the display for yours Mark. Decorative and practical at the same time!

[Oldman]

There are days when you lot make me want to move east!
Maybe I'll just have to go over on a week or twos holiday.
I've always wanted to try knife making but time gets limited. They really are practical use artworks!
Like the way you've made the display for yours Mark. Decorative and practical at the same time!

Thanks mate !
Easy access and I never tire of looking at them……
A trip over to do a course would be well worth it and you’d never regret it 
I have another two day course to do, to use up the rest of my Damascus billet that I had left over.
There’s enough to make 4 steak knives or 2 forged outdoor knives.
Decisions, decisions……

[Wayne Murray]

Oldman and Barry
This might interest both of you, I'm thinking of going myself, Knife making is rather interesting.
   
https://knifeartassociation.com/the-sydn...D6aR4Ue0x8

[Barry]

Hmmmmm…….

[Oldman]

I usually go every year !
Haven’t committed this year yet, though….have a few things going on that weekend.
…..but, you never know 

[Grantus]

When you do the course at the Tharwa Valley Forge, ensure you wear the correct PPE, and follow ALL the safety instructions on the machinery.