Forge a Knife
We offer two different knife making classes. We offer a 4 hour class for $225 and a 9 hour class for $375.
Knife makers may also check availability to book a stay with us in our guest house right next to our bladesmith shop.
Experience the Knife Making Process
Forge a Knife
Starting at $225 per person,
up to 4 guests,
with over 175 five star reviews!
Guests will forge with Host Gordon to hand-hammer and grind out a knife. We will forge in a high temperature propane forge, use epic European anvils, and use high carbon steel to shape memories and a functional piece of art. The whole process takes 4 to 9 hours, depending on the design. We will heat, hammer, normalize, and quench our steel. We will feel the steel move under the hammer blows. We will see the steel take form. Gordon will guide you to keep your blade steel straight and flat! You may choose to accept his help or not - this is part of the fun. Grinding, creating a handle, and other finishing touches come after the hammer work.
Forge a Knife: A full day experience starting at 9:00am and finishing around 6:00pm creating a lifetime artisan knife. We offer two styles with high carbon steel: an every day carry and a utility kitchen knife. Please see our possible add-ons for upgrading to a laminate steel type and/or customize your design to other template styles such as kitchen knives, camp knives, or a longer blade shape. Guests may also make this decision on the day of at the beginning of the experience.
Forge a Rustic Paring Knife: a half day experience, lasting about four hours, offered twice daily, starting at 9:00am and 2:00pm. This is the quickest and most basic beginner skill level knife we offer to make. We will finish with a hidden tang, made of guibourtia wood and sandalwood. Minimum of two people.
Couple's Retreat: Two nights stay in our guesthouse and two seats to our Forge a Knife full day experience.
Guests should wear long sleeve cotton or wool (non-flammable) fabrics, closed toed shoes/boots, ear protection, eye protection, and gloves that offer dexterity. Guests should bring a water bottle, snacks, and a sack lunch.
We recommend ages 10 and older to participate, with a chaperone to be on site for all minors. The address of Vonhelmick Knife Company is 259 Sixth Street , Falls City, Oregon 97344. Phone number is (503) 480-4016.
“This was an experience we will never forget. Watching a piece of steel turn into a gorgeous knife under Gordon’s patient tutelage was truly magical. We hope to bring other loved ones here so they can forge knives with Vonhelmick. Well worth the trip all the way across the country.”
Guest House
Starting at $90/night, sleeps up to 6 people and 2 dogs, 2 night minimum, full kitchen, full bathroom, measures 13’ x 17’ and has an attached deck, two parking spaces, and just a few steps away from the bladesmith shop.
For guests traveling a bit farther from their homes to come forge a knife with us, an overnight stay may be an option in our guest house. This is a new tiny home on a 3 acre urban farm. It has a kitchen, bathroom, and small living space with the bedroom upstairs in an open loft. It is 221 sq ft with a 480 sq ft deck. It can sleep up to six people and rates start at $90 per night. We welcome outdoor enthusiasts, mountain bikers, hunters, photographers, hikers, people working remotely, bladesmiths, and travelers. Our main dwelling is 150 feet away from the Tiny House Farm Stay. Up to two well-behaved leashed dogs are welcome. We have 108 reviews with a 4.91 star rating.