"Nobody Cares What you Know....Until they know you care!"
*Prices effective 7 Feb 2011, subject
to change
without notice*
Various classes are available from
beginner level,
to advanced, including Damascus, Mosaic Damascus, and Folder classes. These classes vary with the skill level and
experience of each student. Below
you will find listings for different class options along with an
explanation
of each. All classes are taught
"one-on-one"
and only by special request/circumstances will I agree to have more
than
one student at a time in the shop. Please ensure you read
the "NOTES" and "CANCELLATIONS/REFUNDS" near the bottom of this
page. Prices will be those that are published at the time an individual books a class.
**My shop is now a VA approved Vocational Rehab Training Facility! (email or call for more info.)
** I have installed a web calendar at
the bottom of this page to assist you with scheduling dates.
This
calendar shows all my current commitments and will be updated as needed.**
BASIC BLADESMITHING 1 (3 day duration):This
class will consist of three days of "hands on" instruction,
and is intended for those who have had little or no experience in
Bladesmithing.
This class concentrates on forge work and design, with minor emphasis
on
finishing.
The
focus of this class is the proper FORGING, GRINDING, AND HEAT TREATING
of blades . This class is not intended to provide the individual with
a finished knife.
This class DOES NOT include any instruction/work on guards/handles.
Individuals can expect to finish this class with 1 to 3 finished
blades, ready for guards/handles. Students will be responsible for
their own
safety equip., lodging arrangements, and meals. In addition,
each
student will be required to sign a waiver of liability PRIOR to
starting classes. Tuition for
the
Basic Bladesmithing course is $870.00
per individual, a 50% deposit must
be paid 30 days prior to the class start date. Additional class days
beyond the three days will be $290 per day, at the student's
discretion,
(and my schedule) and will be "pay as you go." (Please
read the "NOTES" and "CANCELLATION/REFUND policy near the bottom of
this
page.) BASIC BLADESMITHING 2 (5 day duration): This
class will consist of FIVE days of "hands on" instruction,
and is intended for those who have had little or no experience in
Bladesmithing.
This class concentrates on forge work and design, with minor emphasis
on
finishing.
This
class will be essentially the same as the three day class (Basic
Bladesmithing 1) but adds two additional days required to complete a
single knife. Those two additional days will include creating and
installing a guard and handle, and finishing out a knife. By the
end of this class an individual should go away with a completed knife,
and have all the basic skills needed to produce their own finished
knives. Students will be responsible for
their own
safety equip., lodging arrangements, and meals. In addition,
each
student will be required to sign a waiver of liability PRIOR to
starting classes. Tuition for
the
Basic Bladesmithing 2 course is $1,450.00
per individual, a 50% deposit must
be paid 30 days prior to the class start date. Additional class days
beyond the three days will be $290 per day, at the student's
discretion,
(and my schedule) and will be "pay as you go." (Please
read the "NOTES" and "CANCELLATION/REFUND policy near the bottom of
this
page.)
BASIC DAMASCUS/ADVANCED BLADESMITHING: This
five day class is intended for those who have a basic understanding of
Bladesmithing/knifemaking, and will cover areas more in depth than the
basic course, primarily Damascus steel. Individuals must have
completed
the basic class, or demonstrate their ability to forge, prior to
beginning. The objective of this class is learning how to create
your own Damascus Steel, and includes the creation of basic Damascus
patterns (Random, Twist, Birdseye, with an introduction to composite
patterns.
Students will be responsible for their own
safety
equip., lodging and meals. In addition,
each student
will be required to sign a waiver of liability PRIOR to
starting
classes. Tuition for the
Advanced
Bladesmithing course is $1,600.00
per
individual, and includes a $150 materials fee. A 50% deposit must be
paid 30 days prior to the class start date. (Please
read the "NOTES" and "CANCELLATION/REFUND policy near the bottom of
this
page.)
MOSAIC DAMASCUS: This
3 day class will focus on Mosaic Damascus. It will include all
the
necessary areas to help those who have basic forging experience step
into
the wonderful world of Mosaic Damascus. The
class will be three days of hands on learning, with the option of
additional
days at the students discretion.
Due to the large amount of materials this class consumes, the fee will
be higher than the basic Bladesmithing three days class. (A one time
$150
material fee is included in the class fee) Students must have
either
taken the Basic Bladesmithing class, or prove their ability/knowledge
of
forging prior to taking this class.
Students will be responsible for their own
safety
equip., lodging and meals. In addition, each
student
will be required to sign a waiver of liability PRIOR to
starting
classes. Tuition for the Mosaic
Damascus course is $1,020.00 per
individual,
a
50% deposit must be paid 30 days prior to the class start date.
(additional
days beyond the basic three may be requested, cost of additional days
will
be $290.00 per day) (Please read the
"NOTES"
and "CANCELLATION/REFUND policy near the bottom of this page.)
LINER LOCK FOLDERS: This class will consist of 5 days of "hands on"
instruction, and is intended to give the student a full understanding
of the design, function, and construction of the liner lock
folder. Forging experience is not required, however some
knifemaking knowledge is necessary. Contact me for additional
details. Students will be responsible for their own safety
equip., lodging arrangements, and meals. In addition,
each
student will be required to sign a waiver of liability PRIOR to
starting classes. Tuition for
the Folder course is $1,450.00
per individual, a 50% deposit must
be paid 30 days prior to the class start date. Additional class days
beyond the five days will be $290 per day, at the student's
discretion,
(and my schedule) and will be "pay as you go." (Please
read the "NOTES" and "CANCELLATION/REFUND policy near the bottom of
this
page.)
OTHER OPTIONS: Many
times an individual would like to increase their knowledge and/or skill
in either one, or a few specific areas of knifemaking. (general blade
forging,
heat treating, finishing, handles and guards, etc.) With this in
mind I can tailor classes to your specific needs. Call or email
me
about the areas you are interested in, and I can develop an agenda
based
on your desires/needs. If your intent is to come for class days to produce Damascus, a $150 material fee will be added to the class fee.
REQUIREMENTS:
Students will be
responsible for their
own
safety equip.(leather apron, Safety glasses, Welding gloves, RESPIRATOR (half face cartridge type or better), and
leather
shoes/work boots), (NO JOGGING/RUNNING SHOES) lodging and meals.
In
addition, each student will be
required to
sign
a waiver of liability PRIOR to starting classes.The fee for classes will be $290 PER
DAY
(8 hour period) We start at 8 AM local time, and end at 4:00PM local
time. A 50% deposit must be paid 30 days prior to the class start
date. If a 50% down payment is not received within 30 days of the
classes start date I reserve the right to cancel your dates and give
them to another individual. Any additional days requested will be
"pay as you go." (Please
read the "NOTES" and "CANCELLATION/REFUND policy below.)
NOTES: **If you are interested in taking
one of these classes, please let me know as soon as possible.
With
shows, students, and seminars, my schedule fills quickly.
Once
you schedule a class, I will email you a file with local hotels, rental
car info, a local map, and other useful information for planning your
trip.
** I will always do my best to accommodate your wishes
for class dates. However, please keep in mind that I do not teach
classes on Sundays. That day is set aside for Church and Family.
**Additional days may be added to
any classes at the students discretion and depending on my schedule.
Additional days
will
be charged at the rate of $290 per day.
**All classes are conducted
One-on-One,
unless special arrangements are made with me prior to the class dates.
If a special exception is made (allowing more than one individual into
a class), the class fee will be as described PER INDIVIDUAL.
**You
must be in reasonably good physical condition in order to successfully
navigate these courses. Bladesmithing requires a degree of
exertion. I am sorry, but the dangers for those who have mobility
issues will make these courses difficult or impossible to complete.
Failure to realize that you are not physically capable, will not
be grounds for refunds of deposits being granted. I reserve the
right to deny classes to anyone who I consider not physically or
mentally capable of completing the given course(s).
**Respirator:
I feel it necessary to make a special note about bringing a
cartridge filter type respirator with you. While working in the
shop, you will be exposed to a number of different airborne dusts which
are not good for your lungs. I cannot force you to wear a
respirator, but there are operations that I will not teach, nor allow you to
perform if you do not bring/use a respirator. (ie: grinding)
**I encourage
anyone attending classes to bring along a notebook, and camera.
During our time together I will be pushing A LOT of information
on you. Taking notes and photos is a good way to help you
remember later.
"Back to Back"
Classes
** Several individuals have
requested
to take both the basic and advanced classes back to back. I generally will not do this. Prior to taking any of my
advanced
classes, it is necessary that the student be familiar with the forging
process
and use of tools to successfully navigate advanced classes.
The basic class is
designed
to get an individual STARTED in the art of Bladesmithing, and allow
them
to develop some skill prior to an advanced class. Experience has
shown me that an individual will need 6 months to a year of hands on
Bladesmithing/Knifemaking practice AFTER a Basic Bladesmithing class in
order to successfully navigate any of the advanced classes. (ie:
anything beyond Basic Bladesmithing 1 or 2)
CANCELLATIONS
AND
DEPOSIT REFUNDS: If you cancel, whether
I return the deposit or return it in part is at MY DISCRETION. Contact
me early if this situation must occur. Should something on my end
occur,
in the form of an emergency, then I would of course refund the entire
deposit.
This is my business, and I have set aside everything else in order to
give
you my full attention for the class duration. By scheduling a class and
sending a deposit you are entering into a contract and agreeing to the
terms outlined in this section.
All
prices are subject to change without notice
Ed
Caffrey, ABS
Mastersmith
"The Montana Bladesmith"
