So you want to make a knife. We love that. But with five different knife making classes on our schedule, we get this question all the time: which one should I take?
TL;DR: The honest answer is that each class offers a completely different experience — different starting materials, different techniques, and different vibes at the anvil. So it’s all about the functionality you want the knife to have, as well as the experience you’re looking for. Let’s break it down so you can find your perfect match.
First, here are the knife making classes at Craftsman Ave to choose from:
- Make a Custom Chef Knife
- Forge a Knife for the Hunt
- Forge a Survival Knife
- Create a Legendary Damascus Steel Knife
- Forge a Knife from the Railroad Spike
Make a Custom Chef’s Knife
Best for: Home cooks, aspiring chefs, foodies, and anyone who’s ever said “I wish I had a better knife” while dicing an onion
There’s something deeply satisfying about preparing a meal with a knife you built with your own hands. This class is all about creating a functional, beautiful tool for your kitchen — one that fits your grip, your cutting style, and your aesthetic. If you spend your weekends browsing farmers markets, watching cooking shows, or perfecting your mise en place, this is the class that was made for you. You’ll walk out with a one-of-a-kind chef knife and a story to tell every time someone compliments it at a dinner party.
Forge a Knife for the Hunt
Best for: Hunters, hikers, outdoorsy types, and beginners who want an introduction to bladesmithing
This class begins with a pre-formed piece of steel — it already has the rough shape of a knife, so your job is to refine it. Think of it like sculpting from a block that already has the outline sketched in. You’ll focus on the subtle, satisfying art of shaping a blade’s profile, working with precision rather than brute force to coax the steel into its final form.
We like to describe this one as “bowling with bumpers.” The structure is there to keep you on track, which means you’re almost guaranteed to walk away with a gorgeous, functional knife. That makes it a great choice if you’re newer to metalwork and want the confidence of a guided path, or if you’re a hunter who wants a reliable field knife with a personal touch.
Forge a Survival Knife
Best for: Campers, DIYers, home improvement enthusiasts, and anyone who wants to feel like a true blacksmith
In this class, you start with nothing but a raw piece of rebar — no pre-formed shape, no outline, just a steel canvas waiting for your vision. This is where the art of blacksmithing takes center stage. Every hammer strike moves the metal, and every decision about shape, curve, and edge is yours to make.
If you’re the kind of person who builds their own shelves, fixes their own truck, or packs a go-bag for the weekend, this class matches your energy. You’ll have far more creative freedom here than in the Hunt class, which means your finished knife will be a true original — as unique as the person who forged it.
Create a Legendary Damascus Steel Knife
Best for: Artists, craftspeople, detail-oriented creators, and anyone who wants to spend a full day immersed in the forge
This is our deep-dive class. Damascus steel is legendary for a reason — those mesmerizing layered patterns in the blade aren’t just decorative, they’re the result of folding and forge-welding multiple types of steel together. The process is more involved and the class runs longer than our other offerings, giving you the time and space to really lose yourself in the craft.
If you’re drawn to the intersection of art and function, if you appreciate the kind of beauty that only comes from patience and process, this is your class. Painters, potters, jewelers, woodworkers — we see a lot of fellow makers in this one, people who understand that the best work takes time.
Forge a Knife from a Railroad Spike
Best for: History buffs, fans of Forged in Fire, and anyone fascinated by the idea of transforming reclaimed material into something new
There’s a romance to this one. You’re taking a piece of American industrial history — an actual railroad spike — and reshaping it into a functional blade. It’s recycling at its most dramatic, and there’s an undeniable coolness to telling people your knife used to hold down railroad tracks.
If you’ve ever binged Forged in Fire and thought “I could do that,” this is your entry point. The railroad spike gives you an interesting starting shape to work with, and the history embedded in the material adds a layer of meaning to the finished piece that’s hard to beat.
Still Not Sure Which Knife Making Class is Your Perfect Fit?
Here’s a quick way to think about it:
Want something practical for the kitchen? Chef Knife. Want a guided experience with a reliable outcome? Knife for the Hunt. Want maximum creative freedom at the anvil? Survival Knife. Want to spend a full day creating a work of art? Damascus Steel Knife. Want to transform a piece of history? Railroad Spike Knife.
No matter which class you choose, you’ll leave Craftsman Ave with a handmade knife, a new skill, and a story worth telling. All of our classes are beginner friendly — no experience necessary.