Tryon Arts & Crafts
Bladesmithing at the Forge with Gerry Drew
Saturday (8-5) and Sunday (12-5), March 20-21
Tryon Arts and Crafts will host a knife making workshop with blade smith Gerry Drew on Saturday, March 20 and Sunday, March 21. The goal of this class is to bring students to a basic understanding of knife design and workmanship in the forge. They will learn to forge, heat treat, temper and grind knife blades that can be attached to a bone, antler or wood handle. By the end of the weekend, students will forge several hunting knife blades and create at least one fully functional tool with a pleasant design and artistic qualities.
Instructor Gerry Drew has been making knives for over 25 years using the stock removal method (start with a flat piece of steel and grind off everything that doesn’t look like a knife). Recently, after attending a forging class at Tryon Arts and Crafts, he developed an interest in the forged knife. Drew says, “Forging gives a person much more flexibility in designing and building a knife. There are bends, twists and tapers that would never be possible with stock removal.” Drew’s knives are hard working tools that have been used all over the world by hunters, fishermen, and campers. A good number of his knives are purchased by collectors who are only interested in the art of his knives and never cut a thing. Drew’s knives are available at the Tryon Arts and Crafts gift shop.
The workshop will run Saturday from 8am-5pm and Sunday noon to 5pm. Students need to bring protective eyewear, leather gloves, and earplugs (if desired) and should wear leather shoes and old clothes.
Advance registration is required. Tuition is $185 for members, $195 for non-members; materials costs will be based on projects completed. For more information about the instructor or workshop, please contact Tryon Arts & Crafts at (828) 859-8323 or by email tryonartsandcrafts@windstream.net. We have a limited number of spaces available for this workshop so register soon!
