2026 Classes below
Bottom of the page has travel information as well as class payment policy,
refund policy and safety information.
Full Payment required to reserve space. No experience required.
All students must sign waiver and be at least 16 years old to participate and Minors must be accompanied by an adult (adult not required to take the class, but must be onsite).
I am open for private classes. Contact me if interested.
Ric@DoorCountyForgeworks.com
Click on class heading for more information
Knife Steel For Sale
Two Day classes are for Damascus Knife making unless otherwise stated.
Price is $650 per person.
Any of these weekend dates can be for an axe class or a spear.
I would prefer if BOTH students in the class make the same object…i.e both a knife or a spear or an axe.
Jumping between and axe and a knife blade really slows the pace of the class.
Full payment is required to hold spot for class.
from 2025
Date unscheduled (J and H Hopkins)
Private Axe Class (D. Metzger) Postponed
Sword Class (S. Atwell) Postponed
Contact me to set up a class time not listed.
Door County Forgeworks is branching out to include classes by other skilled artists.
These will experts in other mediums such as Glass, Niello, Leather, Stone and Mokume Gane.
Sword Classes (five days) Scheduled as requested.
Five Day class (Mokume/Damascus simple folding knife with David Barnhill) Open to six students
Five Day Bronze Swords casting class with David Barnhill Open to four students.
Contact me to set up a class time not listed.
Door County Forgeworks is branching out to include classes by other skilled artists.
These will experts in other mediums such as Glass, Niello, Stone and Mokume Gane.
2026
March
3 interview (2-7)
14/15 Damascus Knife Class Full (T and K Bustos)
21/22 Axe making Full (M. and R. Peters)
27-29 Badger knife show Janesville, WI…return Sunday and Doug/Magnus the next day 30th
March 30-April 6 Full Frost Brothers 2026….Shaking off the Chill
April
8-12 (group of five) G. White and four friends making knives Full
18/19 Damascus Knife Class Full (Father/Son Morrison)
April 24-26 Chicago Japanese Sword Show http://www.chicagoswordshow.com
25/26 Full
May
2/3 Damascus Knife Class Full (R & J Suemnicht)
9/10 Damascus Knife Class Full (K and B Gonnerman)
16/17 Damascus Knife Class Full (Nick and Friend)
30/31 Full
June
6/7 Damascus Knife Class Full (K and S Meinel)
15-19 Simple Folding Knife Week. Open Spaces
Damascus Blade with Ric Furrer and
Mokume Handle with David Barnhill
Limit to four students Price is $1500 per student
20/21 Mokume Weekend with David Barnhill Open Spaces
27/28 Damascus Knife Class Open
July
4/5 Full
11/12 Damascus Knife Class Open
20-25 Six Day Sword Class FULL (J. Berg and Jason) Pattern-welded blades.
Aug
1/2 Damascus Knife Class Full (Muecke and Son)
8/9 Damascus Knife Class Full (N.Miller and E. Heschke)
15/16 Mokume Weekend with David Barnhill Open Spaces
17-31 Shop maintenance 21-23 Full Frost in London
Sept
5/6 Damascus Knife Class Open
11/12/13 Tunnel Mill Craft Center Minnesota https://www.tunnelmillcrafts.com
19/20 Damascus Knife Class Open
22-26 (Tuesday to Saturday)
Dirt to Dagger five days of playing with dirt. Open to four people (M. Fairchild)
Oct
3-7 Sword Class five days Full (A. And A. Hoffman)
10/11 Damascus Knife Class Open
17/18 Damascus Knife Class Open
24/25 Damascus Knife Class Open
Nov
7/8 Damascus Knife Class Full (E Haut and Husband)
10-15 ABANA Conference in Arkansas 14/15 Full https://abana.org/2024/09/07/2026-abana-conference/
21/22 Damascus Knife Class Open
Dec
5/6 Damascus Knife Class Open
12/13 Damascus Knife Class Open
19/20 Damascus Knife Class Open
Student work 2017
Student Work 2019
Student work 2020
Student work 2021
Student work 2022
Student work 2023
NOTE:
In 2017 I made a few changes to the classes:
--The class size smaller. In the past I have had four people for the weekend classes and that works fine for groups of friends as they seem to mesh as a group, but I will only do groups of friends for more than two students so contact me about that and we can book a time.
--I will also be limiting the sword classes to two students for the week. I want to have people relax and enjoy the work and a larger class size seems to make for a manic time on the last few days.
--One-on-one (private) weekend and week long classes available. Contact me with what you have in mind for projects.
Below is travel information as well as class payment policy, refund policy and safety information. Contact me with any questions.
NOTE:
All students must be at least 16 years old to participate and Minors must be accompanied by an adult (adult not required to take the class, but must be onsite).
All Students must sign liability waiver to participate in class. Waiver can be seen here.
Price does not include food, travel, or lodging
What to Bring:
Bring cotton cloths (Jeans, T-Shirt etc) as they do not burn like synthetics
Closed toe shoes or better yet steel toe.
Safety glasses, ear protection and gloves if you have them
Drinking water.
Dress appropriately for Wisconsin weather that month...we get all four seasons
Local airports are:
Airline information:
The closest airport is Austin Straubel in Green Bay, WI 50 miles away
http://www.co.brown.wi.us/departments/?department=2f6d7cc8e7df
Connecting flights are a simple matter from Chicago, Minneapolis, Detroit and other hubs in the Midwest.
Code "GRB"
There are car rentals at the airport from the major companies:
http://www.co.brown.wi.us/departments/page_a1fdf3a1bad4/?department=2f6d7cc8e7df&subdepartment=0b1a72f8f956
other airports:
Madison, WI 190 miles
http://www.msnairport.com/
Milwaukee 200 miles
http://www.mitchellairport.com/
Local Hotels:
Best to check online
CAMPING
http://www.campjellystone.com/find-a-park/1-sturgeon-bay-wi-door-county/
http://wisconsinstateparks.reserveamerica.com/camping/potawatomi-state-park/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=WI&parkId=60036
Payment information:
Full Payment is required to hold space for class.
Bank Transfer
Postal Money Order (in US dollars)
Western Union (in US dollars)
Personal checks (In US dollars drawn on US bank and item held till check clears)
and on rare occasions
Paypal (plus 4% handling fee)
Door County Forgeworks
3179 May Road
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
(608) 852-5226 cell
Refunds:
If the class is cancelled you receive a full refund.
The most likely situation would be an ill Instructor. I have never cancelled a class in all the years I have been blacksmithing and will endeavor not to do so.
If you cancel 45 days before class you will receive a full refund.
If you fail to show for your class the class fee is non-refundable so be sure to mark your calendars.
There is a minimum number of students required for the class to run.
That number is listed in the class information, usually two students. If the minimum number is not met then the class is cancelled and a full refund is issued to all who have registered.
Due to the possibility of short enrollment (not meeting minimum student enrollment) I suggest you get travel insurance for your air flight as the school is not responsible for costs incurred for cancellation.
Photography is allowed, but no video taping without permission. The reason is that in the past I have been filmed and these films have been sold and I was not compensated for the sales...this is not a friendly thing.
Bottom of the page has travel information as well as class payment policy,
refund policy and safety information.
Full Payment required to reserve space. No experience required.
All students must sign waiver and be at least 16 years old to participate and Minors must be accompanied by an adult (adult not required to take the class, but must be onsite).
I am open for private classes. Contact me if interested.
Ric@DoorCountyForgeworks.com
Click on class heading for more information
Knife Steel For Sale
Two Day classes are for Damascus Knife making unless otherwise stated.
Price is $650 per person.
Any of these weekend dates can be for an axe class or a spear.
I would prefer if BOTH students in the class make the same object…i.e both a knife or a spear or an axe.
Jumping between and axe and a knife blade really slows the pace of the class.
Full payment is required to hold spot for class.
from 2025
Date unscheduled (J and H Hopkins)
Private Axe Class (D. Metzger) Postponed
Sword Class (S. Atwell) Postponed
Contact me to set up a class time not listed.
Door County Forgeworks is branching out to include classes by other skilled artists.
These will experts in other mediums such as Glass, Niello, Leather, Stone and Mokume Gane.
Sword Classes (five days) Scheduled as requested.
Five Day class (Mokume/Damascus simple folding knife with David Barnhill) Open to six students
Five Day Bronze Swords casting class with David Barnhill Open to four students.
Contact me to set up a class time not listed.
Door County Forgeworks is branching out to include classes by other skilled artists.
These will experts in other mediums such as Glass, Niello, Stone and Mokume Gane.
2026
March
3 interview (2-7)
14/15 Damascus Knife Class Full (T and K Bustos)
21/22 Axe making Full (M. and R. Peters)
27-29 Badger knife show Janesville, WI…return Sunday and Doug/Magnus the next day 30th
March 30-April 6 Full Frost Brothers 2026….Shaking off the Chill
April
8-12 (group of five) G. White and four friends making knives Full
18/19 Damascus Knife Class Full (Father/Son Morrison)
April 24-26 Chicago Japanese Sword Show http://www.chicagoswordshow.com
25/26 Full
May
2/3 Damascus Knife Class Full (R & J Suemnicht)
9/10 Damascus Knife Class Full (K and B Gonnerman)
16/17 Damascus Knife Class Full (Nick and Friend)
30/31 Full
June
6/7 Damascus Knife Class Full (K and S Meinel)
15-19 Simple Folding Knife Week. Open Spaces
Damascus Blade with Ric Furrer and
Mokume Handle with David Barnhill
Limit to four students Price is $1500 per student
20/21 Mokume Weekend with David Barnhill Open Spaces
27/28 Damascus Knife Class Open
July
4/5 Full
11/12 Damascus Knife Class Open
20-25 Six Day Sword Class FULL (J. Berg and Jason) Pattern-welded blades.
Aug
1/2 Damascus Knife Class Full (Muecke and Son)
8/9 Damascus Knife Class Full (N.Miller and E. Heschke)
15/16 Mokume Weekend with David Barnhill Open Spaces
17-31 Shop maintenance 21-23 Full Frost in London
Sept
5/6 Damascus Knife Class Open
11/12/13 Tunnel Mill Craft Center Minnesota https://www.tunnelmillcrafts.com
19/20 Damascus Knife Class Open
22-26 (Tuesday to Saturday)
Dirt to Dagger five days of playing with dirt. Open to four people (M. Fairchild)
Oct
3-7 Sword Class five days Full (A. And A. Hoffman)
10/11 Damascus Knife Class Open
17/18 Damascus Knife Class Open
24/25 Damascus Knife Class Open
Nov
7/8 Damascus Knife Class Full (E Haut and Husband)
10-15 ABANA Conference in Arkansas 14/15 Full https://abana.org/2024/09/07/2026-abana-conference/
21/22 Damascus Knife Class Open
Dec
5/6 Damascus Knife Class Open
12/13 Damascus Knife Class Open
19/20 Damascus Knife Class Open
Student work 2017
Student Work 2019
Student work 2020
Student work 2021
Student work 2022
Student work 2023
NOTE:
In 2017 I made a few changes to the classes:
--The class size smaller. In the past I have had four people for the weekend classes and that works fine for groups of friends as they seem to mesh as a group, but I will only do groups of friends for more than two students so contact me about that and we can book a time.
--I will also be limiting the sword classes to two students for the week. I want to have people relax and enjoy the work and a larger class size seems to make for a manic time on the last few days.
--One-on-one (private) weekend and week long classes available. Contact me with what you have in mind for projects.
Below is travel information as well as class payment policy, refund policy and safety information. Contact me with any questions.
NOTE:
All students must be at least 16 years old to participate and Minors must be accompanied by an adult (adult not required to take the class, but must be onsite).
All Students must sign liability waiver to participate in class. Waiver can be seen here.
Price does not include food, travel, or lodging
What to Bring:
Bring cotton cloths (Jeans, T-Shirt etc) as they do not burn like synthetics
Closed toe shoes or better yet steel toe.
Safety glasses, ear protection and gloves if you have them
Drinking water.
Dress appropriately for Wisconsin weather that month...we get all four seasons
Local airports are:
Airline information:
The closest airport is Austin Straubel in Green Bay, WI 50 miles away
http://www.co.brown.wi.us/departments/?department=2f6d7cc8e7df
Connecting flights are a simple matter from Chicago, Minneapolis, Detroit and other hubs in the Midwest.
Code "GRB"
There are car rentals at the airport from the major companies:
http://www.co.brown.wi.us/departments/page_a1fdf3a1bad4/?department=2f6d7cc8e7df&subdepartment=0b1a72f8f956
other airports:
Madison, WI 190 miles
http://www.msnairport.com/
Milwaukee 200 miles
http://www.mitchellairport.com/
Local Hotels:
Best to check online
CAMPING
http://www.campjellystone.com/find-a-park/1-sturgeon-bay-wi-door-county/
http://wisconsinstateparks.reserveamerica.com/camping/potawatomi-state-park/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=WI&parkId=60036
Payment information:
Full Payment is required to hold space for class.
Bank Transfer
Postal Money Order (in US dollars)
Western Union (in US dollars)
Personal checks (In US dollars drawn on US bank and item held till check clears)
and on rare occasions
Paypal (plus 4% handling fee)
Door County Forgeworks
3179 May Road
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
(608) 852-5226 cell
Refunds:
If the class is cancelled you receive a full refund.
The most likely situation would be an ill Instructor. I have never cancelled a class in all the years I have been blacksmithing and will endeavor not to do so.
If you cancel 45 days before class you will receive a full refund.
If you fail to show for your class the class fee is non-refundable so be sure to mark your calendars.
There is a minimum number of students required for the class to run.
That number is listed in the class information, usually two students. If the minimum number is not met then the class is cancelled and a full refund is issued to all who have registered.
Due to the possibility of short enrollment (not meeting minimum student enrollment) I suggest you get travel insurance for your air flight as the school is not responsible for costs incurred for cancellation.
Photography is allowed, but no video taping without permission. The reason is that in the past I have been filmed and these films have been sold and I was not compensated for the sales...this is not a friendly thing.