Do I have to follow along each week with you and keep up with other members, or can I complete the projects at my own pace? Is it live with you in-person, or digital and at home?

Once you’re signed up to Essential Blacksmith, you can access the course whenever, wherever you like. It’s entirely digital, and you can complete the projects at your own pace.

If you’re completely new to blacksmithing, it might take you a couple of weeks to get your shop set up, and that’s fine. There is no rushing or trying to hit deadlines in this course (that’s not what the craft’s all about!). We’ll take you through everything you need to get set up and ready, and you’ve got lifetime access, so don’t worry about "falling behind." If you don’t have time right now, the course will be there for you when you’re ready.

I’ve never done anything like this before – can I really learn how to blacksmith without previous experience?

In the beginning, your success as a blacksmith will be more about your enthusiasm and commitment to the training than any kind of technical knowledge. As long as you follow the lessons I’ve laid out for you and practice the skills from each module, you WILL learn to master the fundamentals of this craft.

That’s not to say it will be easy! Some aspects of blacksmithing are immensely challenging… You won’t master hammering without a lot of sweat and some blisters, for example.

Nothing of value comes without work, however… and the only way to learn a worthwhile craft like blacksmithing is to invest the effort up front.

I want to do this, but I’m not sure if I have enough time... my schedule is already pretty busy.

I get it, we’re all busier than ever these days.

But if you have the desire to do this, you can fit blacksmithing in for an hour or two here and there, wherever your schedule permits. I understand the demands on your time, and so with the course I’ll open up a new module of projects every 2 weeks, so you don’t feel rushed. (And you’ll have lifetime access so that you can work at any pace that fits with your schedule).

The videos are created with busy lifestyles in mind. Most are only 7–15 minutes in length, so you can watch them whenever you have a spare moment. And when it comes time to make bigger projects toward the end of the course, they’re broken up into multiple videos. This means you can tackle one step of the project, get on with the rest of your life, and come back to finish it another day.

I don’t have any blacksmithing equipment – how do I find tools that don’t break the bank?

Blacksmithing can certainly seem like an expensive hobby, especially if your only exposure comes from shows, where you see lots of pro-level smiths with fully kitted-out shops.

But when you’re getting started, you definitely DON’T need lots of fancy equipment. Inside Essential Blacksmith, I’ve included a complete Beginner Blacksmithing Tool Guide that shows you exactly what tools you’ll need as a beginner, and where to get them for good prices.

All the equipment I’ve listed in the guide is quality, durable gear that will give you years of steady use, and won’t cost an arm and a leg.

I don’t have a shop setup or tools yet; can I still join now?

Yes, you certainly can. This course is designed for beginners, so it’s completely fine if you don’t have all of your blacksmithing gear in place yet. In fact, the beginning of the course will walk you through the basics of what tools to buy, how to set up your shop, and what guidelines you should follow for shop safety. And since you have lifetime access to the course, you won’t have to worry about spending some time getting set up.

I’ve already read some books on blacksmithing. How is this any different?

Blacksmithing books are great as long as you’re not a beginner.

Though they’re valuable resources, the majority of blacksmithing books assume you’re at least an intermediate smith with a lot of specialized tools in your shop. If you’re not, it can be pretty tough going.

And even if you are more experienced, just reading about a technique can never compare with seeing it performed.

With Essential Blacksmith, I’ve made no assumptions about your crafting skill. If you’re a complete beginner with zero trade experience, so long as you have the desire to pursue it, you’re going to be perfectly comfortable in the course.

The training is laid out in a step-by-step manner so you never feel lost or overwhelmed. Starting in the Pre-course Module, I’ll teach you the most basic, foundational blacksmithing skills… then week by week, I’ll gradually introduce new techniques to broaden your skillset.

The pace of learning in Essential Blacksmith is measured and steady, designed with beginners in mind.

Is there a particular schedule I need to follow in order to be in the course?

No, not at all. The course is entirely self-paced and you’ll have lifetime access, so you can watch the instructional videos whenever you have time, and plan on blacksmithing during the hours you have available in your schedule.

And if it takes a little time to acquire all the tools you need for your starter blacksmithing setup, that’s no problem at all. You can get started whenever you’re ready, and I’ll walk you through what to get and how to set it up, in the beginning of the course.

This all sounds pretty great… but how soon will we start making things?

Essential Blacksmith doesn't just cover the theory you need to complete the projects. From the very beginning, we’re going to be heating up steel and crafting. Starting in Module 1, we’ll dive right in and begin making your first blacksmithing tools: a bending wrench, a set of four bending forks, and a holdfast. The best way to learn a new skill like blacksmithing is to actually do it, after all.

We’ll then move on to crafting four projects you can use in your home, where you can really put your new skills to the test, and we’ll make a few more blacksmithing tools along the way. By the time you complete your final project, you’ll have the foundation for a lifetime of blacksmithing enjoyment.

What’s the return policy?

You have a full 14 days to try the first module of Essential Blacksmith and start trying your hand at blacksmithing. If you decide the program isn’t for you for any reason, simply email us within 14 days and we’ll refund the entire purchase price, unconditionally.

But, based on the feedback we’ve gotten from the students who have already worked through the course, I’m confident you’re going to love Essential Blacksmith.