Banton-Smith Center for Blacksmith & Metal Arts

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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04/19/2026

A fun day!
Congratulations to several of our CVBG members completing their training on the power hammer orientation. We started out reviewing the safety guidelines, operation and lubrication points and guidelines for using this equipment.
Kat Flannery, Todd Woerner, Robert Gilstrap and our newest member Caitlyn Easterling completed the required orientation, practical demonstration and written review.
While our practical training utilized tapering a railroad spike, I look forward to seeing their progress and the multitude of various items they will be creating in the future.

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03/30/2026

Cool Decorative Hardware Class Results..
A full day of seeing many different tools that could be used for making decorative hardware out of bolts, flat stock, washers, etc. Everyone had an opportunity to work with various metal shapes to create some really cool designs. The instructor (Bruce Manson) explained lots of tips and tricks for making your own tools, jigs, fixtures and how to utilize different metal forms you would not normally think of for a decorative hardware item. Students also received training using a screw type fly press and various methods to make your own dies for this tool. Students were so absorbed in making various items we did not get to physically do the tap/die process but the instruction "how to" was discussed. Stay tuned, we might want to expand on this class at a later date.

03/30/2026

Discussion on "under 18" taking a class at the Banton-Smith Blacksmith Center. I frequently receive questions about allowing someone under 18 to take one of our classes. While we generally say 18 and up, I try to work those under 18 into a class if we can. Understand we do REQUIRE they be accompanied by an adult who remains on site during the entire class period. I would ALSO ask those who wish to enroll someone under 18 we meet ahead of time for some one on one training before I allow them to attend the class. We can normally figure a date/time they can come in for about 20 minutes and we involve them in a simple forging exercise. Depending upon the type of class project they are interested in, we can evaluate their hammer control, response to instruction, display and following safety instructions and other criteria.
I get request from people with no experience that want to come in and "make a knife" when they have no understanding of the basic skills needed to safely work with 2500 degree hot metal or the basic blacksmith forging techniques. Forged in Fire is NOT what we do here! While it certainly can be TV entertaining, it is "enhanced" for entertainment purposes.
In most cases we can accept the underage student or perhaps tailor a class that would be more suited to their age level. Our various "project" oriented classes do require previous completion of our basic 101 class or be able to demonstrate blacksmith skills.
Our instruction is geared towards safety at all times as well as demonstration of all the processes for every project.
If you have any questions about this process, please contact Michael at [email protected]. I will be happy to address any concerns or answer your questions.