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List of Blacksmithing Classes in Arkansas

Arkansas is important to the history of blacksmithing and bladesmithing and the popularity of both crafts today.

As a frontier state in the 1800s, Arkansas was home to hundreds of small-town blacksmiths who created necessary items for new settlers.

One of the most famous blacksmiths in Arkansas’s history during this time was James Black. This smith lived and worked in Washington, Arkansas and is remembered for inventing the Bowie knife.

Moving forward into the 20th century, acclaimed bladesmith Bill Moran founded the American Bladesmith Society and opened Bill Moran’s School of Bladesmithing, which was originally located in Arkansas.

This famous school is the only one of its kind in the world and is located in Texarkana on the border of Arkansas and Texas.

Today, Arkansas continues to be a hot spot of blacksmithing and bladesmithing and boasts one of the largest percentages of Forged in Fire champions.

Several schools and workshops offer quality classes for beginner, intermediate, and advanced smiths. Whether you are brand new to the craft or want to expand your skillset, the state of Arkansas is the perfect place to learn more about blacksmithing and bladesmithing.

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1) Arkansas State Parks

Type: Blacksmithing
Classes: small group, full day, 2-4 hours, mornings, afternoons
Price: $67-$200
Website: https://www.arkansasstateparks.com/events?keywords=blacksmithing&field_start_date=&field_end_date=
Telephone: (870) 983-2684; (870) 269-3851
Location: Historic Washington State Park 103 Franklin St. Washington, AR 71862; Ozark Folk Center State Park 1032 Park Ave. Mountain View, AR 72560

Arkansas State Parks offer a few high-quality beginner blacksmithing classes and workshops in historically significant and beautiful locations. Historic Washington State Park and Ozark Folk Center State Park are two places to learn blacksmithing this year.

“Introduction to Forging” is the perfect beginner workshop for those who are completely new to blacksmithing. The workshop covers topics like forge types and fuel, types of steel and iron, and tool use.

Techniques learned in the workshop include bending, upsetting, drawing, twisting, and forming.

“Get Hooked on Ironwork” teaches the basics of forging and utilizes fundamental tools. Students get comfortable at the forge and practice their skills by creating a simple twisted iron hook.

“Iron Leaf Key Ring” is a project-focused class that teaches students how to design and forge their own leaf shaped key ring. This class is also appropriate for beginners and lasts for two hours.

“Grilling Tools” is another great class offered by Arkansas State Parks that focuses on a specific project type. Students can choose to make a steak flipper or a meat fork in this half-day class.

2) Arkansas Craft School

Type: Blacksmithing, Bladesmithing
Classes: small group, private
Price: Contact for pricing information
Website: https://arkansascraftschool.org/studios/forging
Telephone: (870) 269-8397
Location: 101 N Peabody Ave. Mountain View, AR 72560

Arkansas Craft School is a non profit education center that offers year round wood, metal, clay, glass, and fiber classes.

Blacksmithing classes are taught by Jim Crowell and are appropriate for beginner through advanced smiths. Class options include Bowie knife making, introductory blacksmithing, and Damascus steel knife making.

Be sure to contact the School directly for more information about upcoming classes and pricing.

3) University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana James Black School of Bladesmithing & Historic Trades

Type: Blacksmithing, Bladesmithing
Classes: small group, full day, college courses, multiple class sessions
Price: Contact for pricing information
Website: https://www.uaht.edu/bladesmithing/
Telephone: (870) 777-5722
Location: Historic Washington State Park 601 Lawrence St. Washington AR 71862

The Texarkana James Black School of Bladesmithing & Historic Trades at the University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana offers college-level blacksmithing and bladesmithing classes for adults.

The program celebrates the history of the art form and the promotion of traditional skills. Courses include knife making, general bladesmithing, handles and guards, Damascus steel, and advanced bladesmithing.

The full day classes meet multiple times and function like college courses. This is a great option for smiths who want to advance their skills and pursue blacksmithing as a career.

Because the classes are college-level, tuition costs are higher than other options listed here. Contact the University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana for more information on tuition costs and financial aid.

4) Eureka Springs School of the Arts

Type: Blacksmithing, Bladesmithing
Classes: full day, single day, multiple class sessions
Price: $280-$500
Website: https://essa-art.org/workshop-medium/iron/blacksmithing/
Telephone: (479) 253-5384
Location: 15751 Highway 62 W. Eureka Springs, AR 72632

Eureka Springs School of the Arts is a nonprofit that promotes the arts in various mediums. Blacksmithing and bladesmithing classes are taught by Dale Custer, a smith with a decade of experience. Allen Newberry also teaches classes. He is a journeyman with American Bladesmith Society and is the first Forged in Fire champion from Arkansas.

Bladesmithing classes at Eureka Springs School of Arts teach full tang knife forging, heat treating, and grinding techniques.

Beginner blacksmithing classes teach students how to make their own bottle openers, meat turners, trivets, and top set tools.

A unique class being offered at Eureka Springs this year combines blacksmithing and welding to create animal sculptures. This option is taught by Anne Bujold, an artist and professor at the University of Louisiana.

5) Texarkana College Bill Moran School of Bladesmithing

Type: Blacksmithing, Bladesmithing
Classes: small group, full day, multiple days
Price: $900-$1400
Website: https://cbe.texarkanacollege.edu/bladesmith/
Telephone: (903) 823-3270
Location: CEC Annex Coolidge Ave. Texarkana, TX 75501

Located on the Texas side of the city of Texarkana, the Bill Moran School of Bladesmithing at Texarkana College is one of the top places in the world to learn how to smith. While technically located in Texas, we have included the Bill Moran School of Bladesmithing here because of its proximity to Arkansas and the importance of Moran to bladesmithing in the state.

The School teaches students of all skill levels the techniques required to make their own blades. Classes include “Introduction to Bladesmithing,” “Handle & Guards,” and Slip Joint Folder.”

Classes at the Bill Moran School of Bladesmithing are comprehensive and taught by some of the best in the industry. The cost of instruction reflects these factors and should be taken into consideration before signing up.

If you want to dive deep into blacksmithing and bladesmithing at one of the best schools in the world, the Bill Moran School of Bladesmithing at Texarkana College is the option for you.

Blacksmithing Classes in Arkansas 2025