Metalsmithing Classes Chicago - Intro to Forging | Bottle Opener Forging Workshop

Intro to Forging | Bottle Opener Forging Workshop

with Jake McNaughton

TOP RATED

5.0 | 8 reviews

91 Have Dabbled

ABOUT THIS EVENT

Event Category

Arts & DIY

Event Overview

You've marveled at the makers who bend metal to their will. Now you'll have a chance to learn the basics of forging and try it for yourself!

In this class, dabblers will learn several basic blacksmithing techniques such as drawing out, bending, twisting, and punching. These skills will be put to use forging your very own bottle opener. These bottle openers make great gifts and interesting conversation starters at parties.

This class makes a fun date night or something to do with out-of-town guests. For information on a private classes or if you don't see a date or time that works for you, feel free to hit the contact button.

What to Bring

Avoid wearing any flammable synthetic fibers. Wear long pants and closed toe shoes. I will provide safety glasses and gloves, but you can bring your own if you prefer. You may also want to bring your own water. Don't forget to bring a passion for learning something new!

Minimum age

13 years or older

Prerequisites

-No forging experience is required
-Children under 15 with parent supervision

Come with good judgement, common sense, and an open mind. This is a fairly physical activity so it may not be well suited to people with injuries or health concerns that would require them to reduce activity.

What's Provided

I'll provide all materials, tools, and fuel for the forge. I will also provide safety glasses and gloves.

Cancellation Policy

Location

There are currently no upcoming dates scheduled for this Dabble. Log in to an account message the host or add to your bucket list to be automatically notified when new dates are posted.

MORE ABOUT YOUR HOST

Jake McNaughton

TOP RATED

Jake McNaughton has been blacksmithing and blade-smithing for over a decade. He has taught classes at the Fire Arts Center of Chicago and made high end cutlery with Ravenswood Custom Knives. He has a passion for providing hands-on experience with historical and small-scale manufacturing techniques. He now operates his own studio in the Irving Park neighborhood of Chicago.

Studio Information: The street address for classes is 4248 Elston. The entrance is around the back of the building on the alley between Harding and Berteau. Look for the door with the "Blacksmithing" sign above. Closest street parking is along Elston & Berteau.

MESSAGE HOST VIEW PROFILE

EXPERIENCE REVIEWS

Craig N.
Reviewed on 01/04/25

Jake was a great instructor!! Patient, kind, and fun. A great date night with my bride of 43 years. We had a blast. Highly recommend.

Jake was a great instructor!! Patient, kind, and fun. A great date night with my bride of 43 years. We had a blast. Highly recommend.
Michael C.
Reviewed on 09/14/24

An excellent class! In one session you start with a piece of rebar and end with a functional bottle opener. It takes a little bit of time to get the hang of it, but Jake is an excellent and patient teacher and makes sure you know what you are doing. Definitely recommend!

An excellent class! In one session you start with a piece of rebar and end with a functional bottle opener. It takes a little bit of time to get the hang of it, but Jake is an excellent and patient teacher and makes sure you know what you are doing. Definitely recommend!
Gloria A.
Reviewed on 04/24/24

Thoroughly enjoyed this class. I arrived early but the instructor warmly invited me in and entertained me until the other classmates arrived. He the. demonstrated what we would do and then let the students get to it. He was very good at keeping an eye on everyone while giving each student individual attention. Highly recommend.

Thoroughly enjoyed this class. I arrived early but the instructor warmly invited me in and entertained me until the other classmates arrived. He the. demonstrated what we would do and then let the students get to it. He was very good at keeping an eye on everyone while giving each student individual attention. Highly recommend.
Lisa O.
Reviewed on 02/17/24

Had a great time! Jake was an excellent teacher, demonstrating and coaching us throughout the class. It was a ton of fun learning about how to form the metal and the coming away with a bottle opener we were all proud off. Highly recommend!

Had a great time! Jake was an excellent teacher, demonstrating and coaching us throughout the class. It was a ton of fun learning about how to form the metal and the coming away with a bottle opener we were all proud off. Highly recommend!
Michelle A.
Reviewed on 10/20/23

Such a fun date night! Would recommend to anyone who wants to try something new and different. We had a great time!

Such a fun date night! Would recommend to anyone who wants to try something new and different. We had a great time!
Justine R.
Reviewed on 06/10/19

We had a group of six for our class. We all managed to leave with a completed bottle opener. Jake allowed us to run a little over the three hour time limit to get our projects done. It was very fun!

We had a group of six for our class. We all managed to leave with a completed bottle opener. Jake allowed us to run a little over the three hour time limit to get our projects done. It was very fun!
Jim P.
Reviewed on 02/03/19

This was my first Dabble class and it was a good one. Unfortunately there were some broken pipes in the facility, and we started slowly but by the end we were all happily forging our bottle openers with excellent coaching by Jake. Good class really for anyone, I have experience with tools but even those who were clearly new to it succeeded and proudly went home with a new bottle opener.

This was my first Dabble class and it was a good one. Unfortunately there were some broken pipes in the facility, and we started slowly but by the end we were all happily forging our bottle openers with excellent coaching by Jake. Good class really for anyone, I have experience with tools but even those who were clearly new to it succeeded and proudly went home with a new bottle opener.
Ryvre H.
Reviewed on 10/07/17

I've been curious about forging for a long time. This class let me learn a few different skills, and I came out of it with a functional bottle opener. I'd recommend this class to anyone who wants to get a taste of forging before committing to a longer class.

I've been curious about forging for a long time. This class let me learn a few different skills, and I came out of it with a functional bottle opener. I'd recommend this class to anyone who wants to get a taste of forging before committing to a longer class.

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