The following courses are currently scheduled - courses are
listed alphabetically by title. For a complete list of all courses offered at the North House go to our chronological list.

Toolmaking For Woodworkers
Scott Williams
Session Options:
. . . 7/10/2009 - 7/12/2009 - FULL, please call for waiting list
Ever wished for that tool that seemed like it was custom made just for you? Here is an opportunity to make your own. In this course, the crafts of blacksmithing and woodworking converge, as the essentials of toolmaking are unveiled. You will use forge and anvil to shape, harden and temper a carving chisel and gouge using 1-inch metal stock as a starting point. The class will cover the role of the hand-forged tool in relation to other crafts and the characteristics of tool-grade steels and their applications. We will begin by learning basic forging techniques, such as tapering, drawing out, and beveling, then move into forging a wood carving chisel and gouge.

As the class permits, time will spent discussing the forging and sharpening of gouges and other tools associated with woodworking.  Final sharpening techniques and handling of the tools will be discussed. No previous experience required.

Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 3
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $255
. . . Materials Fee: $50
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced

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Blacksmithing
     - Crafting The Tools of the Trade
Dave Hanson
Session Options:
. . . 8/23/2009 - 8/26/2009
Learn the basics of metalworking from the ground up.  In this course the skills of the blacksmith--fire, tools, and process--will be demonstrated and practiced.  As time and skill allow, you'll initially work on simple fire tending tools or small household goods, followed by making the tools of the smithy: tongs, chisels and punches, etc.  Forge welding is the final challenge for the course as you get more comfortable controlling the heat and hammer.  Heat treatment, forging, fire types and much more to get you going in blacksmithing will be discussed and practiced as well.  Your materials fees includes the use of coal and gas forgework (averaging more than $35/day) and the costs of steel.

Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 4
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $340
. . . Materials Fee: $230
. . . Intergenerational Age: n/a
. . . Level: Beginner

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Blacksmithing
    - The Basics & Beyond
Dave Hanson
Session Options:
. . . 8/12/2009 - 8/15/2009 - Full, Please Call for Wait List
Spend  time on the forge with a master smithy, building the skills that will take you 'beyond the basics.'  You will be introduced to the basic skills of the blacksmith including safety, fire control, tools and equipment in both a classroom and 'on the forge' setting.  Student projects will be tailored toward their individual skill levels, including basic tool making (tongs, fire pokers, etc.), decorative and ornamental work (from leaves to joints, etc.) and more advanced work such as forge welding and damascus ware.  The first day, the class will use coal forges and the remainder of your time maybe on either coal or gas forge.  This course is tailored to meet your needs on the forge while ensuring consistent and quality work.  Your materials fees includes the use of coal and gas forgework (averaging more than $35/day) and the costs of steel.

Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 4
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $340
. . . Materials Fee: $230
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced

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Bladesmithing For Knifemakers
Scott Williams
Session Options:
. . . 7/13/2009 - 7/17/2009
The heart of the knife lies in its blade. This course brings the crafts of blacksmithing and knifemaking together as participants unlock the Scandinavian bladesmithing traditions. A thorough discussion of the history and culture as well as hands-on experience give you an approach to crafting a knife that is both a reflection of longstanding tradition and personal expression. We will start by using mild steel to learn the basic elements of blade forging and shaping, then craft blades in the Finnish tradition using solid carbon steel and a "zone" hardening and tempering process to achieve a hard cutting edge with a flexible back.  Two to four hardened and tempered blades go home with each student.  For students desiring more time in the shop, an extra two-day option is available to work with Scott while he is in residence.  Two additional knives may be created in this time period as well as working with a wider variety of steel types.

If time allows, we will practice crafting a "laminated" blade in the Norwegian/Swedish tradition. Sharpening techniques, selection of steels based on their properties and various hardening/tempering processes will also be discussed.  Some evening studio time is also expected from 6pm-8pm each night.

Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 5 (plus 2 extra optional days)
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $425 ($150 additional for extra 2 days)
. . . Materials Fee: $80
. . . Intergenerational Age: 12+
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced

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Damascus Ware For the Blacksmith
Dave Hanson
Session Options:
. . . 8/17/2009 - 8/21/2009
Knifemakers prize a well crafted demascus blade for its edge holding qualities, strong steel and decorative surface work.  The secret?  All in the formation and finishing. True damascus patterns are formed when carbon trace elements form visible swirls in the steel mix.  Experiment during these five days on the forge with the process for creating damascus ware as students learn how to forge weld and fold the metal while experimenting with a variety of different high carbon steel types.  Discover how to temper the steel and shape it to get the result you're after.  Your damascus efforts may be turned into  jewelry, knife blades, or decorative projects.  Surface finishing will also be covered as we grind and polish your shining demascus ware.  Your materials fees includes the use of coal and gas forgework (averaging more than $35/day) and the costs of steel.

Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 5
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $425
. . . Materials Fee: $305
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced

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Flintknapping
Mike McCall
Session Options:
. . . 8/22/2009 - 8/23/2009
. . . 9/5/2009 - 9/6/2009
Have you ever wondered how our ancestors produced sharpened tools of stone like axe heads, knife blades, and arrow points?   Learn how flintknapping evolved and how to identify appropriate base materials from which you can produce a variety of sharpened stone tools.  This class will introduce the basic techniques of pressure flaking and percussion, providing the basis for years of frustration, small cuts to the hand and the exhilaration of crafting a thing of beauty and utility from a rock. This course is limited to five students.

Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 2
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $150
. . . Materials Fee: $35
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Level: Beginner to Intermediate

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Metalsmithing For Rendezvous
     - Tomahawk and Primitive Folding Knife
Don Hammer
Session Options:
. . . to be scheduled
So you've always been intrigued with the lifestyle of the Voyageuer-- or at least the look of one.  Here's your chance to work on that image.  Nothing says serious Voyageur like a hand-made deer antler folding knife and a hand-shaped tomahawk.  Bring the Voyageur lifestyle  alive in this three-day workshop as we toil on the coal forge and in the classroom hand fashioning your own Voyageur folding knife starting from a piece of deer antler.  You'll forge and heat your blade and back spring and complete the knife based on period designs.  To finish out your ensemble, you'll forge a rugged tomahawk head from a railroad spike and fit it to a handle.  You'll be the envy on the portage trail.  No need for accomplished blacksmiths here, but students should have a basic level of knowledge about forge work using a coal forge.

We will be using the railroad spike approach to the tomahawk project to avoid the details of forge welding.  The details of assembling and finishing your knife will take up the most part of the course while the tomahawk is a simpler, less time consuming project.

Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 3
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $225
. . . Materials Fee: $30
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced

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Norwegian Knifemaking  
Gene Tokheim
Session Options:
. . . 8/12/2009 - 8/16/2009
The Norwegian knife is a rich tradition that has been kept alive by many Norwegian smiths and knifemakers.  The "tollekniv" (whittling knife) acquired its present form in the early Iron Age (400-800 AD).  In this course you will work with wood, metal and leather to create a finished Norwegian knife and sheath.  Working under the tutelage of master knifemaker, Gene Tokheim, makes for an ideal learning opportunity for knifemakers of all abilities.

Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 5
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $375
. . . Materials Fee: $110
. . . Intergenerational Age: 10+
. . . Level: All levels

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Rendezvous on the Forge
    - Blacksmithing Historic Camping Equipment
Dave Hanson
Session Options:
. . . to be scheduled
Complete your outfit or explore a new frontier as you spend four days on the forge learning to create intricate and handmade equipment for your camp.  As time and experience allows, students will create tripods and grates and learn how to use them for cooking over an open fire, as well as fancy spatulas, ladles, etc. as cooking accessories.  Students will experiment on both a coal forge as well as a gas forge during this workshop.  No experience is necessary as the instructor will custom tailor your project to your level of ability.  Experienced blacksmiths are welcome and will be challenged with a few new projects to enjoy.  Your materials fees includes the use of coal and gas forgework (averaging more than $35/day) and the costs of steel.

Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 4
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $340
. . . Materials Fee: $230
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced

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Sharpening Basics for Hand Tools 
Dennis Chilcote
Session Options:
. . . 10/31/2009 - 11/1/2009
"Get the Edge" might be another appropriate title for this course. Chisels, planes, gouges, knives, scissors, spoke shaves and more--these tools of the trade function at their best when the cutting edge is truly prepared for business. Ready to slice butter? This comprehensive overview of sharpening will help you understand the types of cutting edges, characteristics of steel, tempering, and the difference between grinding and honing through a series of demonstrations and hands-on applications. Power sharpening and hand sharpening will be explored. You are strongly encouraged to bring up to five hand tools to sharpen as a class project.

Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 2
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $150
. . . Materials Fee: $15
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced