All classes are taught at the new Damselfly Forge shop in Whiteford, MD.
Since I started teaching Blacksmithing classes in 2008, I’ve enjoyed helping students reach their goals within the craft. With a lot of experience under my belt, I have found that it is beneficial to the students that class sizes are kept small, so students are able to have the best experience possible and gather as much information from the class as they need. I look forward to helping you start your blacksmithing adventure!
We are excited to be welcoming guest teachers to the shop as well!
A Hands-on Experience
As a group class, or one-on-one instruction.
Age restrictions -
For safety reasons we cannot accept students under 13 years of age.
If a student is under 18 years of age, we encourage the guardian to take the class alongside them.
If a student is under 18 years of age a guardian must be present for the entirety of the class.
Blacksmithing Basic Intensive class -
Group class, up to 6 people - Cost $275 per person, materials included.
One on One - Cost $650, materials included. Limited availability for one-on-one classes on weekends.
If you would like to book a one-on-one class, please fill out the contact form farther down on this page, and we will happily book you a private class.
Description of class -
This is a class designed to give the student a strong foundation for pursuing the craft of blacksmithing.
No experience is required to take this class.
In this class students will be learning the fundamental skills of blacksmithing, including how to work safely and efficiently, with an emphasis on hammer control and body mechanics.
The student will learn appropriate use of the various parts of the anvil, the use of top and bottom tools, drawing and tapering, punching/drifting holes.
Students will complete 2 projects in this class, a series of hooks and finally, a bottle opener.
Instructor - Derick Kemper
Location - Damselfly Forge Inc. Located in Whiteford, MD. The location is just over the line into MD.
Address - 2737 Whiteford Rd. Whiteford, MD 21160
You will be contacted within two days of your class date with info to know before attending
For more info and to purchase this class click the listing below -
Blacksmithing Basic Intensive & Basic Axe Making -
Spend a Weekend at the forge with a Blacksmithing Basic class on Saturday, and a Basic Axe making class on Sunday.
This is a Group class, up to 6 people - Cost $480.00 per person, all materials included.
Blacksmithing Basic Intensive Class – Saturday
Description of class -
This is a class designed to give the student a strong foundation for pursuing the craft of blacksmithing.
No experience is required to take this class.
In this class students will be learning the fundamental skills of blacksmithing, including how to work safely and efficiently, with an emphasis on hammer control and body mechanics.
The student will learn appropriate use of the various parts of the anvil, the use of top and bottom tools, drawing and tapering, punching/drifting holes.
Students will complete 2 projects on this day of the class, a series of hooks and finally, a bottle opener.
Basic Axe Making Class – Sunday
Description of class -
In this class students learn the wrapped eye technique to make a tomahawk/camp axe.
This class will cover an array of different construction methods historically used and the tooling needed to make them. The student will also be introduced to the skills of proper heat treatment.
Process of construction -
Students will forge a pre-form then wrap and forge-weld the pre-form before forging the axe to shape.
The axe will then be prepared for heat treatment, hardened, tempered then taken to the grinder to make the final edge bevel, then the handle will be attached.
Student will complete an axe head with a tomahawk style handle.
Instructor - Derick Kemper (both days)
Location - Damselfly Forge Inc. Located in Whiteford, MD. The location is just over the line into MD.
Address - 2737 Whiteford Rd. Whiteford, MD 21160
You will be contacted within two days of your class date with info to know before attending
For more info and to purchase this class click the listing below -
Blacksmithing Project Class, Wall Hook – Taught by guest teacher Ellen Durkan.
November 23rd, 2024
No prior Blacksmithing experience necessary. Open to all skill levels.
Group class, up to 6 people - Cost $175 per person, materials included.
Each student will complete a wall hook design taken from gothic styling.
With 3 hooks at the bottom this piece combines art and function in one, making it a beautiful, handcrafted piece to add to your home or office.
Come and spend an afternoon making a piece of art for yourself, or as a gift for a loved one!
(The holidays are coming "wink, wink")
For more info and to purchase this workshop click the listing below -
Forged Fashion Workshop – Taught by Ellen Durkan.
No prior Blacksmithing experience necessary. Open to all skill levels.
Group class, up to 6 people - Cost $600 per person, materials included.
We are very excited to welcome Ellen Durkan as a guest teacher this coming March!
Ellen Durkans Bio.
I am an artist Blacksmith from Wilmington, Delaware. I create wearable “Forged Fashion” art that I present through performance runway shows. I teach blacksmith classes, art related workshops and present forging demonstrations for conferences and events. I received my Graduate Degree in Fine Arts in sculpture and then got into Blacksmithing and have been working in metal for around 15 years. My current body of work is inspired by the human body, it is created to be worn; it embraces physical and emotional vulnerability. I enjoy creating pieces to fit the complex forms of the figure and how each piece takes on a new presence with a new wearer. I create forged work to decorate the body as visual and metaphorical armor. The metal forging and forming process constantly inspires me to build challenging new creations.
Ellen is @ironmaidenforge on Instagram.
For more info and to purchase this workshop click the listing below -
Beginner Knife Making Class -
Must have prior Blacksmith Basic Class or have had prior experience in blacksmithing, to take this class.
Group class, up to 3 people - Cost $300 per person, materials included.
One on One - Cost $700, materials included. Limited availability for one-on-one classes on weekends.
If you would like to book a one-on-one class, please fill out the contact form farther down on this page, and we will happily book you a private class.
Description of class -
In this class the student will make a full tang knife.
The student will also learn hardening and heat treating.
Student will complete a full tang, all metal knife. (The knife and handle are one piece of high carbon steel)
Instructor - Derick Kemper
Location - Damselfly Forge Inc. Located in Whiteford, MD. The location is just over the line into MD.
Address - 2737 Whiteford Rd. Whiteford, MD 21160
Basic Axe Making Class -
Must have prior Blacksmith Basic Class or have had prior experience in blacksmithing, to take this class.
Group class, up to 6 people - Cost $300 per person, materials included.
One on One - Cost $700, materials included. Limited availability for one-on-one classes on weekends.
If you would like to book a one-on-one class, please fill out the contact form farther down on this page, and we will happily book you a private class.
Description of class -
In this class students learn the wrapped eye technique to make a tomahawk/camp axe.
Process of construction - students will forge a pre-form then wrap and forge-weld the pre-form before forging the axe to shape.
The axe will then be prepared for heat treatment, hardened, tempered then taken to the grinder to make the final edge bevel, then the handle will be attached.
This class will cover an array of different construction methods historically used and the tooling needed to make them.
The student will also be introduced to the skills of proper heat treatment.
Student will complete an axe head with a tomahawk style handle.
Instructor - Derick Kemper
Location - Damselfly Forge Inc. Located in Whiteford, MD. The location is just over the line into MD.
Address - 2737 Whiteford Rd. Whiteford, MD 21160
Interested in a class that we don’t have any dates showing on this page, or have questions, please fill out the form below for yourself, or a loved one!
Full payment due prior to class via online payment or check.
A Gift Certificate for A Blacksmithing Class Taught at Damselfly Forge Inc.
Thank you for your consideration of giving the invaluable gift of a new skill!
A fantastic gift to give to a loved one for any occasion, as they may choose which type of class, and from the available dates that will suit them best.
Please take a moment to read over the description of the classes currently offered, we have set specific denominations for gift certificates so it may cover the full purchase price of a class that the recipient wishes to take.
Please choose the denomination you are purchasing wisely.
Once a gift certificate is purchased the recipient may schedule a class from the list of classes offered.
Please Note: This item is Non-Refundable for any cash amount.
Terms and conditions -
- Certificate valid for one year from purchase date.
- Valid only for booking blacksmithing classes.
- Not valid on any other product sold by Damselfly Forge Inc.
- Non-refundable for any cash amount.
- Damselfly Forge Inc. reserves the right to change the class lineup at any time.
Our Refund/Re-schedule Policy pertaining to booking a class is available to read in the description of each class.
Each gift certificate has to be purchased on a separate transaction, due to delivery of the certificate.
The website will not allow you to purchase multiple certificates at one time.
Thank you!
Instructor - Derick Kemper
Location - Damselfly Forge Inc. Located in Whiteford, MD. The location is just over the line into MD.
Address - 2737 Whiteford Rd. Whiteford, MD 21160
Age restrictions for classes -
For safety reasons we cannot accept students under 13 years of age.
If a student is under 18 years of age, we encourage the guardian to take the class alongside them.
If a student is under 18 years of age a guardian must be present for the entirety of the class.
Photos and video by Valune Media - Valune Media | Photographer in York Pa | York, PA, USA