18th Century polled tomahawk forging seminar

August 12, 13 & 14th 2022

GTHS School of Blacksmithing 6707 Goshen Rd. Goshen, OH

 During this 3-day course you will go hands on to learn the basics of forging, traditional old-world methods of heat-treating steel, wood working, and the fitment of a haft/handle to complete one 18th style century tomahawk.

You will also learn anvil nomenclature and have full exposure to both gas and coal forges in the forming of your hawks, by employing the punched eye method with a drift on high carbon steel. You will finish your tools using traditional stains and finishes. 

The cost of this course is $425.00 per person, which includes materials and meals. Class begins at 0800 hours, each day. We will break for lunch and then resume work until supper time. We will return to the shop and work until everyone reaches a good stopping point for us to stay on task with the processes.

Instructor Bart Dellinger’s contact number and home/mailing address are: (540)-331-0145. 645 S. Water St., Woodstock, VA 22664. 

$200 deposit required to reserve your spot. Check payable to GHTS. Mail to Jamie Gier 6777 Linton Rd. Goshen OH 45122. Email Jamie@evansfuneralhome.com Cell 419-209-2661

For questions regarding curriculum contact  Bart other questions contact Jamie.  Class is limited to 8 participants.

Tool list:

Brimmed Hat

Mill work type leather gloves. Thin welding gloves can be purchased at Harbor Freight

Leather apron (If you have one)

Safety glasses

Hearing protection

Sharp pocket knife

Rubber sanding block or backer

Drawknife 

Spokeshave

Double-Cut file

Nicholson handy file

Cross cut files

Angle grinder with flap discs 36 to 40 grit

Sandpaper of quality grade 100, 180 and 220 grits

2.5 to 3-pound cross peen hammer

I suggest Nicholson brand files, all other brands are really just considered junk and will not work well on 4140 steel.

As far as clothing is concerned please wear old clothes, forging is dirty work, as you will probably burn some holes in your duds. I suggest that you wear cotton clothing, synthetics will melt.  

If you don’t have all of the tools listed, it’s not critical. I will have extras for you to work with. Feel free to ask any questions of me about the tools needed.