Banton-Smith Center for Blacksmith & Metal Arts

08/16/2026

Received an email about 1006 low carbon steel from Heritage Iron Company. Said CVBG has purchased some of this steel in the past. Just checking to see who that was and what did they think about it. It is possible the members of CVBG could do a bulk order if there is enough interest. See

Heritage Iron Company is the nation's leading supplier of high-quality US produced 1006 Low Carbon Steel for blacksmithing, forging, and decorative ironwork applications. Heritage offers bars and ingots. Shop this superior steel product now for your craftsmanship needs.

08/12/2026

Potential teen class update........While nothing has been finalized yet, there has been discussion on how we could offer classes specifically for teens (13-17). Several topics included length of class (2 hours maximum), instructor ratio (1 instructor per student is the ideal goal), hot forge work vs just working the metal cold. We will still require the parent/guardian to remain on-site during the class time. There was some discussion on when to offer these classes with a weeknight being considered since Saturdays at the Banton-Smith Blacksmith Center seem to be filled with meetings/open forge and other day-long classes. We understand a weeknight issue needs to consider those in school so something along the line of 6-8 PM or perhaps 6:30 to 8:30 PM.
I would appreciate input from the public as to what you would like to see so drop me a line to [email protected] with your ideas/concerns/class suggestions/etc. See less

08/02/2026

Some new "blacksmiths" in the making........We worked with two teens in the Blacksmithing 101 class at the Banton-Smith Blacksmith Center August 1. We offered several different products they could make during their training skills and they chose the drive hook and spatula as their projects.
It's really nice when we can offer training inside an air-conditioned building when dealing with 2500 degree hot metal!
Thanks Todd for helping with the training session of these teens. More teen sessions in the works for the future..........

07/16/2026

Blacksmith 101 class scheduled for August 1. Link shows https://cvbg.org/banton-smith-center/
I have one teen signed up so far (APPROVED) for this class. I probably would not accept another teen application for this specific class.
Watch for updates as we are working on potential classes just for teens in the near future...........

07/07/2026

Possible teen class projects program. Under consideration is a way we can offer various classes specifically designed for those in the 13-17 age range. I would like to offer a class each month that would be more of a 3 hour frame, say 9-12 on a Saturday. Each class would have a different project that could be completed at that session. Some of the potential projects being considered:
Dice: Provided with pre-cut blanks they make up a set of dice
Triangle dinner bell
Wall drive hook with square stock and twist
"S" hooks
Key chains
Bottle openers
Coal forge operations
We have zero plans about making a knife in a class. This is not a 3 hour skill we want to take on at this time.
I would like other ideas for potential projects. So teens, let me know WHAT YOU WANT TO SEE ! email your suggestions to [email protected]

06/13/2026

Classes at the Banton-Smith Blacksmith Center: I just wanted to post an update for an item that has not been addressed in the past. When people join the Central Virginia Blacksmith Guild they check off in the section about the liability policy.
I have not previously posted anything about that policy for those signing up to take a class.
To create the update, future class listings will advise of the policy in the class description so people are aware of that. When they come in to take a class, they must physically sign off on the liability policy before taking the class that day.
This is just a house-keeping issue so people know about the policy and are aware of that before actually attending a class at the Banton-Smith Blacksmith Center.

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06/11/2026

06/11/2026

Additional pics for 101 class.........Just so you know......blacksmithing is NOT just a "guy" thing. We have ladies join us for these classes too! As part of our training, I (or one of my other instructors), will demonstrate a skill or process and then have you do the same. In these pics I am showing the process I use for a particular skill, maybe just how to forge a taper or perhaps a pigtail. We can work with round stock to form a pigtail or maybe utilize square stock when forming a hook and adding in a twist. We explain what works, what does not, when to put the metal back in the the forge for a re-heat. The process is see, then the process is you do, so we are creating a memory skill process during these training exercises.
There are usually 2 additional instructors during the class exercises and we rotate around to each of the forging stations. In essence, we have 6 eyes helping you along the way, making corrections or answering questions on a particular skill. There is more than one way to do a task, right off I can think of about 3 different ways just to form a hook. If one way is creating difficulty in your skill, then we can show you other ways to complete that task.
At the end of the day, you have completed numerous projects, picked up on the basic skills needed for most any blacksmithing project. We can start you on the path for metalworking and offer additional classes based upon specific items made like a forged rose, celtic cross, dinner bell, etc.
i have about 60 different class topics (with each doing a specific project) so stay tuned to see what class offerings are in the plans for the future.

06/06/2026

8 "potential" blacksmiths under construction. These students picked up on the basic skills pretty quickly which allowed us to add in one additional forging project towards the end of the class time. We started out with a simple "warm up" exercise texturing a ginko leaf metal shape. We moved forward to creating our first "S" hook, then a "J" style hook which we riveted to a back plate and ended up making a drive hook with a twisted designed.
Hydration was a key factor in everyone staying "somewhat cool" given we had all these forges running. It is important to remember to stay hydrated, even if you don't feel thirsty, especially during these hot summer months.

06/06/2026

Blacksmithing classes for those under 18? It seems this summer I receive frequent request from parents to allow their child into our blacksmithing classes. Of course, their child is reported to be very interested in blacksmithing (at least that's what the parents say.)
While age is not always a deciding factor, what I have observed is these teens tend to run on the age of 13, 14 or so. That really does not fill in all the details as some have never picked up a hammer; some are "mature" for their age, some vary in size.
The plan, at the moment, is to arrange a time this "teen" could come in for some one on one training. We do a simple project with them. I evaluate how well they respond to instruction, can they handle a hammer safely, do they appear they are really interested or is it something that the parents are really pushing the teen to do. I have seen both those that are interested and those that it was more of a "parent thing" rather than the teen being interested.
Understand we are dealing with extremely hot metal around 2500 degrees F and pretty much we teach EVERYTHING in this shop is out to hurt you. You could easily get a serious burn, smash a finger, cut a finger or any other accident just waiting to happen.
Safety is our number 1 priority here and rules everything we do. Protective eye wear is a MUST any time the forges are in operation. We offer foam plugs for hearing protection as that is something that damage appears over time.
In August, I will be meeting with another blacksmith that does offer classes for teens and see what suggestions for a course we could offer. It might be something that does not require any heat or perhaps the instructor controls putting the metal in and out of the forge (the greatest risk of burn tends to be during this part of the operation.)
I hope to have some better options I can offer for those under 18 in the near future.
At this time class enrollment for teens will still be on a case by case basis.

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