Turn a real railroad spike into a knife in a day of hammer and fire, one of the more unique team building events in the Bay Area. In this bladesmithing class your group learns safety and core blacksmithing techniques, then forges a decorative railroad spike knife that gets an edge before it goes home.
The class runs six and a half hours and is priced at $210 per guest for private groups of 3 to 6 guests. It is the classic beginner blade class: a simple project that calls for a lot of strong hammer blows, and you can work with a partner to speed things up. Previous forging experience is recommended but not required, and new students are welcome.
What's Included
- Six and a half hours of instruction and forging time
Turn a real railroad spike into a knife in a day of hammer and fire, one of the more unique team building events in the Bay Area. In this bladesmithing class your group learns safety and core blacksmithing techniques, then forges a decorative railroad spike knife that gets an edge before it goes home.
The class runs six and a half hours and is priced at $210 per guest for private groups of 3 to 6 guests. It is the classic beginner blade class: a simple project that calls for a lot of strong hammer blows, and you can work with a partner to speed things up. Previous forging experience is recommended but not required, and new students are welcome.
What's Included
- Six and a half hours of instruction and forging time in a working blacksmith shop
- Safety training and protective equipment, including aprons, goggles and ear protection
- A tour of the shop and demonstrations at the anvil
- The railroad spike, tools and forge time for the project
- A handmade knife with a forge finish and a sharpened edge to take home
What You Will Make
Each guest forges a beefy knife with a distinct profile and a twist, literally: twisting the handle is one of the many fun steps in the class. Techniques covered include hammer control, tapering a blade, beveling, twisting, sanding to sharpen and a beeswax finish. The result is a knife with a rugged forge finish and real bragging rights, plus great photo opportunities along the way.
It is a creative challenge and a physical feat in equal measure. By the end of the day guests leave with a sense of accomplishment and a blade they shaped themselves from raw steel, and many reviewers say they want to come back for more.
Why It Works for Groups
This is one of the most physical team building activities a group can book. Two people are assigned to each anvil and take turns, so partners pace each other, swap encouragement and help each other finish. Reviewers describe instruction broken into very manageable steps, instructors who check in regularly and a strong focus on safety from start to finish.
Among team building workshops, a full day at the forge creates the kind of shared story people retell for years. It suits a team outing, a Christmas party, a birthday or a date, and with 3 to 6 guests per private class it is one of the strongest team building activity ideas for small groups.
About the Smithy
The host is a women-owned blacksmith shop run by an artist blacksmith who began forging more than fifteen years ago while earning a fine art degree, then spent a dozen years teaching blacksmithing while building an ornamental metalwork business. Today the shop has employees, some big pieces of equipment and a steady calendar of project based classes and team builds. Outside of teaching, the shop forges functional art for homes, from grand forged bronze railings to screw-on cabinet hardware, working in bronze, steel, brass and aluminum. The crew has also demonstrated forging at Maker Faire.
The smithy sits inside a shared studio complex of independent art businesses near the Richmond shoreline, a short walk from the Bay Trail. It is an active working shop, so expect fire, noise, welders, grinders, woodworkers, shop dogs and shop cats. The shop aims to feel like a safe place for all people and describes itself as a strong LGBTQ+ ally.
How the Session Runs
- Start with a tour of the shop and safety training
- Watch a demonstration of tapering, beveling and twisting
- Take turns with your anvil partner shaping the spike into a blade
- Twist the handle, then sand the edge and apply a beeswax finish
- Leave with your own railroad spike knife
Good to Know
- You need the ability to lift a 2 to 3 lb hammer hundreds of times
- Guests 16 and up are welcome
- Blacksmithing is hot, labor intensive work, so guests should be in good physical condition
- Wear all-natural fibers such as cotton jeans, t-shirts, wool or leather, plus closed-toed shoes; synthetic fabrics melt when heated
- Bring a water bottle and plan meals ahead; there are no nearby food options
- Plenty of street parking near the studio
Plan Your Bladesmithing Day
Share your preferred date and group size to check availability. At $210 per guest with materials and protective gear included, this is one of the most interactive team building activities for adults and a memorable choice for hands on team building activities that end with a blade in every hand.
