Many people aren’t aware that blacksmithing schools exist in different nations of the world.
As a matter of fact, certain colleges offer blacksmithing as a degree program. If you’re passionate about creating useful objects from metals then this article should be a must read for you.
In this article we have discussed some of these blacksmithing schools, and other valuable things you need to know about becoming a blacksmith.
Table of Contents
Meaning of Blacksmithing
Blacksmithing is an art of crafting/fabricating objects from wrought iron or steel through the use of certain tools and processes.
The processes involved in blacksmithing takes place in a forge, blacksmith shop or a place known as a smithy.
Typically, individuals who do this job are called blacksmiths, smiths or metalsmith. They are known as craftsmen who specialize in the producing useful objects from metal.
In the past blacksmiths didn’t require so much education. However, modern blacksmiths require some form of education to be able to use modern machinery and techniques.
What are blacksmithing schools?
Blacksmithing Schools are institutions where individuals are trained to create or fabricate new objects from iron through a set of procedures.
Schools where blacksmiths are trained could either be specialized training centers for smiths or could be a faculty within a larger institution.
After successful completion of your blacksmithing education, you will usually receive a recognized degree from your accredited institution.
As you read on, you will find in this article some of these blacksmithing schools that are located in different places around the world.
Steps to become a Professional Blacksmith
It is often advised that blacksmiths acquire knowledge of welding and metal forging.
If you wish to become a professional blacksmith, it may require you to take some relevant steps and make necessary efforts.
Check out these suggested steps below.
- Acquire a High school diploma or its equivalent. You can earn high school diploma online and offline.
- Attend a training in vocational school. One of the most popular ways to acquire blacksmithing knowledge is through vocational education or trade schools.
- Enroll in a blacksmith college degree. Several colleges exist that offer a degree in blacksmithing and its equivalent. On graduation, you will be awarded a degree in blacksmithing.
- Undergo internships or apprenticeship from more experienced blacksmiths to acquire real life knowledge of how the profession works and it’s demands.
- Improve your knowledge by attending seminar, workshops, watching YouTube videos, or purchasing online courses to both learn new techniques and improve your skills.
- Purchase blacksmithing tools and machinery to start practicing what you’ve learnt.
- Buy, rent or partner with a workshop, where you can start working.
- Build a portfolio and establish yourself by marketing your skills and providing quality services.
- Collaborate with other blacksmiths around to stay updated on the recent trends in the trade and also to create a profitable network.
- Keep learning.
Ways to become a Blacksmith
For anyone wishing to become a black smith, there are several paths to take.
Here are some of them we’ve researched for you:
- Getting a Bachelor’s Degree
- Vocational Education
- Apprenticeship
- Self Teaching.
1. Getting a Bachelor’s Degree
Some colleges and art schools around the world like the ones we will mention in this article offer education for individuals who wish to train as blacksmiths.
A formal degree in blacksmithing could take a duration of about two to four years. Within this period, you will engage in both the theoretical and practical aspects of the trade.
2. Vocational Education
Individuals who do not fancy the bachelor’s degree path, can opt for vocational Education in institutions which focus solely on blacksmithing.
Vocational Education in blacksmithing could take less time than a bachelor’s degree in blacksmithing.
3. Apprenticeship
This method is in the form of mentorship/ internships from a more experienced blacksmith.
This allows you to gain practical work experience where you will face real life challenges and understand the demands of the job as you practice.
Individuals already undergoing other methods of blacksmith education can also use this method to supplement and complement their knowledge.
4. Self Teaching
If you prefer learning on your own then you can choose to become a blacksmith through the self teaching method. You may have to take online courses and watch instructional video.
Unlike other methods, this may be less organised and more challenging as you would have to source for most of the resources yourself.
How to find blacksmithing schools near me
The following are the ways to find a blacksmithing school near you:
- Google Search
- School Website
- Ask people.
#1. Google Search
To find blacksmithing schools near you, you can carry out a simple Google search with the keywords; “blacksmithing schools near me” OR “Blacksmithing schools in [insert your location]”
#2. School Website
Another way to search for blacksmithing schools around your area is by checking the programs offered by different institutions in your area. You can do this through their school portal or website.
#3. Ask people
To find blacksmithing schools near you, you can also enquire from blacksmithing professionals in your area.
Ask them about the school they attended or how they were able to become blacksmiths. They may have more than enough information that will help you.
List of the Top 10 Blacksmithing Schools in 2022
- Ballard forge schools for blacksmithing
- Anvil Academy
- Virginia Institute of Blacksmithing
- New Agrarian Blacksmithing school
- Bridgetown Forge Blacksmithing School
- Cascadia Center for Arts & Crafts
- Clatsop Community College
- Rochester Institute of Technology
- Austin Community College
- Massachusetts College of Art Jewelry and Goldsmith
- Pratt Fine Arts Center
- Old west forge Smithing Schools
- Studio Thorne Metals schools for blacksmithing
- David Lisch Smithing Schools
- Incandescent Ironworks Ltd.
Top 10 Blacksmithing Schools in the world
#1. Anvil Academy
Tuition Fee: $6,500 per year
Anvil Academy is a non-profit historic school known for trade education. They teach individuals trade courses like blacksmithing, woodworking, leatherwork, sewing, 3D design etc.
Anvils blacksmithing class is held at the quonset hut located at 305 n. main, newberg, oregon.
#2. Virginia Institute Of Blacksmithing
Tuition Fee: $269-$2750
Virginia Institute offers a certification program in blacksmithing which is recognized as a career and trade program by the State Council of Higher Education. From this blacksmithing program, students learn professional architectural and artistic metalwork.
Individuals are expected to complete this one year blacksmithing program to acquire the necessary skills to work as blacksmiths and practice under a professional blacksmith.
#3. New Agrarian School
Tuition fee: $1750.00
Blacksmithing education at the New Agrarian School is aimed at preserving and improving the art of forged metalworking.
This trade school uses workshops, classes and studio assistantships to train students on the skill of Blacksmithing.
#4. Clatsop Community College
Tuition Fee: $8,010(out state students) $4,230 (in-state students).
Clatsop Community College is regarded amongst the top known Smithing Schools around. This public community college is located in in Astoria and Seaside, Oregon with a wide coverage in other states around America.
Blacksmithing courses in the Clatsop Community College is offered under the the History Preservation Program of the university.
#5. Bridgetown Forge
Tuition Fee: $460 or more.
Established over 20 years ago at Portland, Oregon, Bridgetown forge has gone ahead to successfully teach over 300 individuals to smith.
Bridgetown Forge specialises in Japanese style of forging and organizes its classes to accommodate both experienced and new smiths.
#6. Cascadia Center for Arts & Crafts
Tuition Fee: $220.00 or more.
This school of blacksmithing employs the traditional crafts used in the work progressive administrative era to teach it’s students. The school has 4 forge blacksmithing shops which are located in it’s summit campus.
#7. Pratts Fine Arts Center
Tuition Fee: $75 per class or more
Pratt’s fine arts center has a studio equipped with lots of tools like hammers, anvils and natural gas forges. The institution has a wide range of blacksmithing classes which could last from as little as four hours to several weeks.
#8. Rochester Institute of Technology, New York
Tuition Fee: $52,030
At Rochester Institute of Technology, New York, there is a school of American crafts where students acquire traditional and modern art skills.
Students in this faculty choose from a list of materials like metals, glass, or wood, and master them for the fabrication of useful objects.
Under this school is an option for metal and jewelry design where you will learn metalsmithing and how to apply it for the design of beautiful objects.
#9. Austin Community College, Texas
Tuition Fee: $286 + $50.00 course fee per course, and a $1.00 insurance fee per course
This community college offers a course in welding technology where blacksmithing is taught to students. Under the welding technology, the university also offer AAS (Associate of Applied Science) degrees including:
- Technical Welding
- Architectural and Ornamental Metals
- Entrepreneurship/ Welding Hybrid Awards
#10. Studio Thorne Metals schools for blacksmithing
Tuition Fee: Class dependent.
If you’re interested in blacksmithing education that prepares you to become a modern day blacksmith, then you should consider this school.
Paul Thorn, an architectural smith and instructor alongside other experienced blacksmiths, teaches interested students about the art of blacksmithing.
FAQ about Blacksmithing Schools
1. How much does a modern day blacksmith make?
It is estimated that fifty percent of blacksmiths make about $42,000 to $50,000 annually.
However, this is an estimated value based on collected data. Your earning power may differ from other blacksmiths as a result of certain criteria.
2. How much does it cost to start blacksmithing?
The cost you’ll require to start blacksmithing is dependent on the scale of blacksmithing you wish to engage in.
Blacksmithing can cost you from $100 to several thousand dollars to purchase everything you may need.
3. What tools do I need for blacksmithing?
You need the following basic tools to start blacksmithing:
- Forges. Could cost you anywhere from $100 to $1000 or more.
- Forge Fuel. Cost can range from $20 to $100 or more.
- Safety Equipment. These could cost you $20 to $60 or more.
- Other Miscellaneous tools. The cost is dependent on the quantity of the miscellaneous items you’ll have to purchase.
4. Is blacksmithing a good job?
Blacksmithing is a good profession with a lot of benefits. Most people even see it as a hobby and engage in it to have fun. Some of the benefits of the job includes;
- A stable salary.
- Flexible work hours.
- Constant need of your services
- Opportunity to explore your creativity.
5. How many years does it take to be a black smith?
There are different routes to become a black smith like we’ve mentioned above.
These different routes have different requirements and durations.
Vocational degrees in blacksmithing may take you 2years or more
A bachelor’s degree in blacksmithing may take you four years or more.
A apprenticeship in blacksmithing may take you from 2 to 4 years or more.
Conclusion
We hope you found the information in this article very useful. It was a lot of effort to get you these best blacksmithing schools for your academic degree.
Feel free to use the comments section if you have further questions or contributions.
Below are some recommendations for you.
We Also Recommend
