List of Blacksmithing Classes in Kansas
Kansas is an agricultural state in the Great Plains region of the Midwest.
Settlers living in Kansas prior to its statehood relied on rural blacksmiths for essential farming and household equipment.
Throughout the 19th century and into the early 20th century, small-town blacksmithing thrived as a necessary craft.
Blacksmiths living in Kansas today are dedicated to preserving and promoting the craft through classes, demonstrations, and other unique learning opportunities.
Hobbyists and professional artists alike can learn to forge metal in urban and rural locations across the state of Kansas.
The following are the top blacksmithing and bladesmithing opportunities being offered in the state of Kansas this year.
- Powerful Dual Burners: Equipped with two high-efficiency burners for rapid heating, providing...
- Durable Construction: Made from heavy-duty steel and insulated with fire-resistant materials...
- Large Forging Space: Spacious work area accommodates larger projects, allowing blacksmiths to work...
1) Hammerspace Community Workshop
- Type: Blacksmithing, Knife Making
- Classes: small group, open forge
- Price: $65-$200
- Website: https://hammerspacehobby.com/
- Telephone: (913) 686-6562
- Location: 5200 E. 45th St. Kansas City, MO 64130
Hammerspace Community Workshop is run by proprietor Dave Dalton and his creative team of craftspeople. The space is a membership organization that is “like a gym for people who build stuff.”
Several tiers of membership are available, and Hammerspace members gain access to workspaces and tools. Blacksmiths and bladesmiths can enjoy Hammerspace’s large work areas and wide range of equipment.
In addition to providing workspace for creators, Hammerspace also offers a wide range of classes and workshops geared towards beginner through advanced students.
Blacksmithing and knife making classes are project focused. Students can choose to create roses, camp cutlery, Viking forks, hunting knives, spike knives, Damascus knives, and jewelry.
2) Institute for Historic & Educational Arts (IHEA)
- Type: Blacksmithing
- Classes: small group, demonstrations, full day, open forge time
- Price: $100-$225
- Website: https://historicarts.com/blacksmith-classes/
- Telephone: N/A
- Location: Bonner Springs, KS
The Institute for Historic & Educational Arts or IHEA is a nonprofit that is dedicated to teaching the public historic and forgotten art forms.
The organization is largely run by volunteers who are experts at their craft. Demonstrations and classes are held at the Kansas City Renaissance Festival and other events in Kansas and surrounding states.
While the IHEA teaches a range of traditional crafts, metalworkers will be especially interested in their blacksmithing, chain mail, armor making, and leatherworking opportunities.
The Insititute for Historic & Educational Arts also offers open forge time for more experienced smiths.
3) Blackthorn-USA
- Type: Blacksmithing
- Classes: small group, 1 day, full day
- Price: $95
- Website: http://blackthorn-usa.com/events/83/basic-blacksmithing/
- Telephone: (785) 289-5075
- Location: 16010 Tuttle Creek Blvd. Randolph, KS 66554
Blackthorn-USA is an outdoor adventure school that teaches classes and workshops on its 430 acre training site. The school emphasizes preparedness, bushcraft, and survival.
Blacksmith enthusiasts can sign up for Blackthorn’s single day, full day beginner blacksmithing class. Instruction covers forging, tempering, hardening, and annealing techniques. Students create their own S hooks and campfire forks to take home at the end of class.
4) Kansas State University
- Type: General Metalsmithing
- Classes: small group, college courses, upper-level electives
- Price: Contact for tuition information
- Website: https://www.k-state.edu/
- Telephone: (785) 532-6011
- Location: Manhattan, KS 66506
Kansas State University was founded in 1863 and is one of the top schools in the state. Current undergraduate students who want to learn metal art can sign up for the university’s metalsmithing electives.
Metalsmithing classes at Kansas State University are part of the art department and cover a range of metalworking techniques. Skills learned are closely related to sculpture and other art forms.
Independent study in metalsmithing is offered occasionally and is an upper level art elective.
5) Central States Metal Artisans
- Type: Blacksmithing, Bladesmithing
- Classes: small group, weekly meetings, demonstrations
- Price: $20 annual membership plus fuel charge
- Website: https://csma.us/
- Telephone: (316) 804-8324
- Location: 200 S. Main St. Haysville, KS 67060
Central States Metal Artisans started as the Great Plains Blacksmithing Association in 1988. The organization is a blacksmithing club that is open to all metal artists.
The club meets on Monday evenings to work on projects and share advice. Annual membership is extremely affordable at only $20 plus the cost of fuel.
If you live in Kansas and want to meet up with blacksmiths in your state, a membership with Central States Metal Artisans is a great way to do just that.