If you are interested in crafting objects out of wrought iron or steel, you should review this list of the best blacksmithing schools, as we have dedicated this post to discussing smithing schools for anyone interested in becoming a blacksmith.

Blacksmithing is not a field for weak individuals; it is a field for determined and strong-willed people. In this article, you will learn about some of the best blacksmithing schools.

Some of you who thought it was impossible to discover a blacksmithing school will suddenly have access to a large number of them.

There are a few colleges that specialize in blacksmithing training and courses, as well as some who practice it on the side.

However, we have meticulously searched for schools that are entirely dedicated to Blacksmithing education, as well as some colleges and universities that provide smithing courses and training.

All you have to do now is read this article to the finish and then choose the schools that best fit you based on their tuition fees, conducive learning environment, learning equipment availability, and other factors that are relevant to you.

You can share this post with people you know who are interested in attending blacksmithing schools, and you can also share it on your social media platforms to assist others who may require this knowledge.

Now let’s move on to the list of the schools for blacksmithing.

What is Blacksmithing?

Blacksmithing is the process of making objects out of wrought iron or steel.

A blacksmith is a silversmith who forges metal with a hammer and bends and cuts it to create things out of wrought iron or steel. Doors, bars, balustrades, lamps, furniture, sculptures, tools, agricultural equipment, decorative and religious items, kitchen utensils, and weapons are all made by blacksmiths.

The rough work of a blacksmith and the delicate work of a whitesmith, who often worked gold, silver, pewter, or the final stages of fine steel, had a historical difference. A blacksmith shop, smithy, or forge is the location where a blacksmith works.

Are there blacksmithing Schools?

Yes, there is the Blacksmithing colleges. There are even academic institutions that have blacksmithing as one of their programs.

If you browse this article, you will find that we have listed some of the best blacksmithing schools that are certified to operate offer smithing degrees by the organization responsible for accreditation.

How to become a blacksmith

It is possible to work as a blacksmith without any formal education or training. If you want to be a professionally trained blacksmith, you’ll require years and months of instruction and study with a qualified blacksmith or certain vocational schools that provide blacksmithing and associated courses. Formally trained blacksmiths can have a lot of success and earn a lot of money.

Programs leading to a smithing degree are available at technical and vocational schools. If you want to be a great blacksmith, however, you should obtain training to learn metal forging and welding abilities in addition to your education. A training program with certified and experienced blacksmiths is available to those interested in a career as a blacksmith.

Do you want to attend a blacksmithing school and become a professional blacksmith follow the steps below:

• Earn a high school diploma
• Attend a vocational school or trade school to learn blacksmithing
• Attend a college to obtain a blacksmithing diploma
• Become an apprentice with a trained and experienced blacksmith
• Purchase online courses to learn to forge or watch YT videos
• Get the tools you need to start Smithing
• Find a workshop or rent one
• Look for a way to market yourself and slowly establish yourself and build a portfolio
• Get in touch with other blacksmiths near you
• Continue to gain more knowledge about blacksmithing

Blacksmithing schools near me | List of blacksmith schools

• Anvil Academy
• Virginia Smithy Institute, Virginia
• New Agrarian School
• Bridgetown Forge
• Cascadia Center for Arts & Crafts
• Clatsop Community College
• Pratt Fine Arts Center
• Rochester Institute of Technology, New York
• Austin Community College, Texas
• Massachusetts College of Art, Massachusetts
• Pensacola State College, Florida
• Ballard forge
• Studio Thorne Metals
• David Lisch
• Old west forge
• Incandescent Ironworks Ltd.

Anvil Academy

This is one of the Schools for Blacksmithing that offer basic and advanced instructions in blacksmithing and knife making.

At Anvil Academy, we went through a chronological timeline of human history for four years. They believe that much can be learned from creation to the present by observing people, events, cultures and regions, and a redeeming story is seen in Christian scriptures.

These form the basis for the experiences, projects, trips and challenges with which Anvil Academy shape and mould boys and transform them into young men.

• Located at 305 N Main St,
• Newberg, OR 97132
• Email: admin@AnvilAcademy.net
• Telephone: 503.538.8123

Virginia Smithy Institute, Virginia

The Virginia Blacksmithing Institute is one of the Schools for Blacksmithing which was founded to offer blacksmithing training and instruction and is certified to operate by the State Council.

The Virginia Smithing Institute was founded to provide information and instruction on traditional blacksmithing, ranging from beginner blacksmithing courses, through focused techniques and projects, to advanced certification.

Modern metallurgy/welding classes are also offered. Classes are open to men and women from 10 years of age of all levels.

Tuition is $2,500 and includes supplies, fuel, and standard safety equipment. The school has a lot of tools in the school, but if you have a favourite hammer welding helmet or other tools please bring it with you.

New Agrarian schools for blacksmithing

New Agrarian schools is one of the smithing schools in this article that started in June 2019 to offer two-week residential workshops in blacksmithing

Instructors include: Jeffrey Funk, Andy Dohner, Rachel David and Tony Stewart

The New Agrarian School’s curriculum and technology are deeply rooted in history and tradition, considered one of the schools for Blacksmithing.

However, don’t expect to get nostalgic. The tools, attitude and imagination are largely in the present and forward-looking.

The design and manual skills emphasize autonomy, that never goes out of style.

• 990 McCaffery Road
• Bigfork, Montana 59911
• Email: metafunk@cyberport.net
• Phone: 406-837-4208

Bridgetown Forge schools for blacksmithing

Bridgetown Forge is one of the smithing schools in this article which was founded by its owner and operator Arnon Kartmazov.

Arnon spent 12 years in Japan, training to be a knife and then a swordmaker, before setting up his own forge in the hills of northern Kyoto. Arnon arrived in Portland in 2000 and has stayed in the same location ever since. His main teachers are Uri Hofi from Israel and Ashli ​​Hiroshi from Japan.

• Email: arnon@bridgetownforge.com
• Phone: 503-804-1524
• Location: 1812 North Columbia Blvd., Portland, OR, 97217

Cascadia Center for Arts & Crafts schools for blacksmithing

The Cascadia Center for Arts & Crafts smithing schools teaches traditional crafts used in the WPA era and the construction of the Timberline Lodge, as well as contemporary classes and workshops. Some of the renovation work on the Summit’s campus also includes workshops on milling of timber, rockwork, and other professions.

The study rooms include a studio space with 4 forges, which is located in one of the old and symbolic buildings on the Summit campus.

• Cascadia Arts and Crafts Center
• PUBLISH. Box 64
• Government Camp, Oregon 97028

Clatsop Community College

Clatsop Community College is one of the smithing schools in this article, it is a public community college with facilities in Astoria and Seaside, Oregon. The university’s coverage area includes Clatsop County, parts of Columbia and Tillamook counties, and Pacific and Wahkiakum counties in Washington state.

Blacksmithing courses are offered as part of the History Preservation Program.

• 1651 Lexington Ave.
• Astoria, OR 97103
• Phone: 503-325-0910
• Toll-Free 1-855-252-8767;

Pratt Fine Arts Center

Pratt is the only blacksmithing school in the Northwest where absolute beginners and established artists work hand in hand to create art. Affordable studios with unparalleled facilities offer artists of all ages, skills, and backgrounds the opportunity to learn, experiment, and create.

• Pratt Fine Arts Center
• 1902 Main Street South
• Seattle, WA 98144

Rochester Institute of Technology, New York

The Rochester Institute of Technology is a private research university located in the city of Henrietta in the Rochester, New York metropolitan area. The university offers undergraduate and graduates degrees, including a master’s degree in metal and jewellery design.

The qualification offered here is one of the best in the blacksmithing field for practising artists, craftsmen or designers who want to leave a lasting impression in their field through a commitment to their work and high standards in terms of discipline and artistic ideals.

The Rochester Institute of Technology tuition fee is $51,240. When compared to the nationwide average tuition fee of $40,793, the Rochester Institute of Technology is more expensive.

Austin Community College, Texas

Many people are not aware of the enormous scope and professional potential of welding technology and blacksmithing. It’s such a diverse field that there is an app for practically every personality type. It’s no exaggeration to say that our students learn to do everything from drawer handles to skyscrapers!

To meet the needs of emerging professionals in these ever-growing disciplines, Austin Community College offers multiple Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees, as well as various certificates and a Business Skills Award.

Massachusetts College of Art, Massachusetts

Massachusetts College of Art Jewelry and Goldsmith’s Program combine direct practice and conceptual problem-solving. Students explore the methods and motivations of traditional and contemporary ironwork and learn how objects are informed through their historical contexts. This is one of the best schools for blacksmithing.

Foreign student tuition and fees are $13,700, and Massachusetts College of Art and Design overseas tuition and fees is $38,400.

This is one of the best smithing schools that prospective blacksmiths should attend to gain the knowledge they need.

Pensacola State College, Florida

The state of Pensacola offers over 120 majors and degrees with a particular focus on career advancement and technical education. The school’s course library includes many courses that are offered at other Florida colleges. 

You can also take classes and practice blacksmithing at Pensacola State College.

Other Schools for Blacksmithing

Below are some of the other blacksmithing schools you can get trained in blacksmithing.

All you need to do is contact the management of the school through the contact information that has been made available.

Ballard forge schools for blacksmithing

• 5440 28th Ave. NO
• Seattle, WA 98107
• 206-235-3246
• ballardforge@msn.com
• www.ballardforge.com

Studio Thorne Metals schools for blacksmithing

• 13751 ln the dawn
• Anacortes, WA 98221
• (360) 293 8257
• thorne@thornemetals.com
• More information can be found on the website: thornemetals.com

David Lisch Smithing Schools

• Blacksmithing and knife making classes in Yelm WA
• Contact us specifically regarding the courses by email: classes@davidlisch.com
• Website: DavidLisch.com

Old west forge Smithing Schools

• PO BOX 2105
• White Salmon, WA 98672
• (509) 493-4418
• For more information, please contact Tim Middaugh:
• tim@oldwestforge.com.
• Website: www.oldwestforge.com

Incandescent Ironworks Ltd.

• Spokane, WA
• 509-456-8321
• Contact: Instructor Steve McGrew:
• stevem@incandescent-iron.com
• www.incandescent-iron.com/blcl.html

Frequently Asked Questions on the Best Blacksmithing Schools

If attending one of the smithing schools listed in this article is your aim, you should go through these blacksmithing schools questions and answers to learn more about the subject as you begin your journey to become a professional blacksmith.

How much does a blacksmith make an hour?

Blacksmithing is a dangerous job. If you want to work at least 30 to 50 hours per week, you can make around $15 to 25 or more an hour.

How many years does it take to become a blacksmith?

If you want to be a professional blacksmith, you should expect to spend 4 to 8 years in the field learning and practicing your craft. You will not be able to gain enough experience to run your own blacksmithing shop if you spend less than this.

You might start learning the smithing craft at the age of 16, and by your early 20s, you’d know everything there is to know about blacksmithing.

How much does it cost to go to a blacksmith school?

A good number of the blacksmithing schools in the U.S. charge around $1,900 to $10,000 for classes lasting a year or more.

However, if you want to learn the basics of blacksmithing in a few weeks (for beginners), you’ll need $200-$400.

How much can you make as a blacksmith?

As a blacksmith, you can expect to earn roughly $40,890 per year on average, which is less than the $55,050 earned by a metal sculptor.

Because of the advancement of technology, blacksmithing has become less profitable as a profession. Professional blacksmiths can earn between $50,000 and $100,000 each year.

To have a good chance of making a lot of money as a professional blacksmith anywhere in the globe, you must be proactive and advertise your work as much as possible, both online and offline.