Returners – Knife forging and leatherwork

Description

— Returners Only —
— This course is for people who have been before. If that’s not you then please check out our intro course… —

A combination of making a woodcarving knife and then creating a leather sheath for it. Matt Whitaker will lead the first two days with Tony Morgan then teaching the leatherwork side of things.

On the knife making course you will use charcoal forges with hand powered blowers to heat steel. Then using hammers and tong you will fashion your blank into a knife. Grinding and sharpening will follow with all of the theory covered as we go along. On the second day we will complete the sharpening process and then fashion and fit handles to the blades.

On the leather making course you will learn to cut out leather, following a template designed to fit these knives (some people will be making the sheath first and knife second). The leather will be dyed, stitching holes made, belt loops cut. Tony will then show you how to sew the sheath together using the saddle stitch technique. Finally all edges will be bevelled and burnished.

The last step is to wet-mould the leather around the blade and handle to create a snug fit.

You will go home with a completed knife and sheath.

There may also be time on the second day of leather work to make a work belt to hang your knife from.

For the final day, Friday, we’ll offer various options, to be confirmed near the event.

The cost for the week is on a sliding scale from £395 to £595, depending on what you can afford. We’re also keen to make paying as easy as possible so anyone wanting to book a place and then pay in instalments is welcome to do that (message Kath directly: [email protected]).