This immersive and unforgettable workshop will introduce both you and your guest to the fascinating world of knifesmithing, a rewarding practice combining the art, science, and practical application of using controlled heat and specialized hammers, along with other essential metalworking tools, to shape raw steel into functional and beautiful blades. You and your date will work together collaboratively to transform a piece of ordinary rebar (steel reinforcing rod) into a beautiful and unique knife that reflects your joint design vision. Rebar offers an excellent introductory material for learning knifesmithing, providing authentic forging experience while being economical and accessible for participants at all skill levels.
The first portion of this hands-on workshop focuses on the rewarding process of heating and shaping the rebar using traditional hammer and anvil metalworking techniques. You and your date will heat up your steel together in our professional propane forge until it reaches perfect red-hot temperatures suitable for working, then use a hammer and anvil to methodically create the profile and outline of your knife blade design. This heating and hammering cycle repeats multiple times as you work together until you achieve the exact shape and proportions that satisfy both of your visions for your collaborative knife. This process provides excellent physical exercise and teaches you both a hands-on understanding of how steel behaves and responds under heat and pressure, developing genuine metallurgical knowledge and shared craftsmanship skills.
After you and your date have created the rough foundational shape of your knife together, you will use a professional angle grinder to carefully refine the blade shape and form the critical bevel of your knife blade. The bevel is the precisely angled edge surface that creates the functional cutting edge of your finished blade. Creating a proper and sharp bevel is absolutely fundamental and critical to producing a truly functional and effective cutting tool. Our knowledgeable and patient instructors will guide you both through proper grinder technique and critical safety practices, teaching you how to work collaboratively to produce a quality, professionally sharp blade edge.
Next comes one of the most exciting and memorable portions of the workshop experience. You will heat the knife one final time in the forge and quench it in specialized oil to dramatically harden the blade completely. This phase involves beautiful glowing red-hot metal and typically produces a dramatic and exciting burst of flame when you carefully dunk your hot knife into the quenching oil together. It is the ultimate Instagrammable and unforgettable moment that you and your date will absolutely want to capture together on video or photograph for lasting memories of your shared experience.
We will take a romantic and well-earned break while your knife cools safely and gradually after the quenching process. During this pleasant rest and social time, feel free to grab a delicious slice of pizza from the excellent restaurant around the corner called Table 87. You are also welcome to settle into our comfortable and warm lounge area, where you can relax with your pizza slice, enjoy refreshing drinks together, and enjoy quality conversation with your date away from your regular routines. Take full advantage of this special time together and make a memorable evening of it with your special someone.
Once we reconvene after the pleasant break, you and your date will work together to put the finishing touches on your collaborative masterpiece. You will wrap your knife handle together with quality wrapping material for a comfortable, functional grip and lasting durability, and sharpen the blade together to an extremely sharp, razor-sharp edge using our professional grinding and sharpening equipment. You and your date will leave the workshop with a stunning, functional piece of metalwork artistry that you created together as a team, slightly sore arms from the rewarding physical effort and hammering involved, wonderful memories of your shared creative experience, and a deep newfound pride in your collaborative craftsmanship and romantic accomplishment together.
Date Night Option: You and your special guest will design and make one beautiful knife together as a romantic and collaborative team and enjoy a delicious pizza and a bottle of wine to share and savor during the workshop experience. At least one person must be 18 years of age or older to participate.
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What You Will Be Making Together: Your own custom forged knife from rebar steel that you design as a couple
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What You Will Be Doing Throughout the Workshop: Shaping your blade together collaboratively with copious amounts of heat and hammer work, plus professional assistance from industrial-grade grinder equipment
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Skill Level Required: Beginner level; no previous metalworking or knifesmithing experience is necessary to participate
Other Available Versions and Formats of This Workshop
Click here if you prefer the Single Guest version. You will design and make one knife independently at your own pace. Guests under 18 must be accompanied by an adult supervisor.
Click here if you prefer the Buddy Up version. You and a friend will design and make one knife together as a team collaboration. At least one person must be 18 or older.
