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Our extremely popular ‘Oberon’ blacksmithing course is the 'flagship' course at The Quinnell School of Blacksmithing and is led by Giles Clarke, Tom Quinnell and/or Max Anderson. Limited to 8 students.

*** Scroll to the bottom to view available dates and book ***

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Our 'Oberon Course' has been designed as the very best way to teach the key blacksmithing techniques. This is a substantial traditional blacksmithing course designed for either:

• complete beginners who are relatively competent with hands-on activities and have good stamina.

  Or,

• people who have completed our ‘Introductory Weekend Course’ or our ‘1-Day Blacksmithing Experience’ and would like to expand their skills further.

  The work rate on this course is fast-paced, but we promise that you will be not only be suitably tired by the end of the second day, but immensely proud of the items you have made. This is an ambitious course, with regards to the volume and quality of work achieved within the timescale. It also uses a large variety of different blacksmith hand-tools, which you will learn how to use.

DAY 1 - You will warm up in the morning by getting stuck in straight away with some of the key blacksmith processes whilst making an ornate wall-mounted hanging basket bracket, in three parts, under the expert guidance and support of our friendly tutors. Throughout the day you will learn the following key blacksmithing processes; Drawing down/tapering, splitting & cutting, bending and punching holes.

Depending on the pace of the group as a whole, if there is time, you will also make a bottle opener with a small scroll and a punched hole (to be put to the test at the end of the day!).

DAY 2 - Making a more complex, technical and intricate item, using all of the skills and processes you have learnt from the previous day. You will be challenged to make a ram’s-head toasting fork! This item is beautifully detailed and incorporates the following key processes found within the craft of blacksmithing; Drawing down/tapering, splitting, forge-welding, twisting, bending.

• Tea, coffee & bottled water provided. (decaf tea and coffee also available)

• Homemade cake and/or brownies, and a selection of biscuits (not homemade) on offer throughout both days.

• Beer (pale ale or lager from the local pilgrim Brewery in Reigate) or a J2o will be provided to end the day 1 to ‘test’ your bottle opener! (If time allows us to make one - if not, we will test our 'sample' bottle opener anyway!)

• All required PPE is provided (with the exception of boots - see notes )

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This course is based on our hugely successful course taught by Peat Oberon here for many decades. Peat is an award-winning traditional blacksmith, terrific mentor and international teacher, and he devised this course as the very best way to teach the key blacksmithing techniques. He has written comprehensive books about the techniques of blacksmithing that have been translated into a number of different languages and are read throughout the world. Peat, now in his eighties, is still going strong but can no longer perform the incredible feat of driving down from Middlesbrough, teaching all weekend and driving all the way back - so he is finally learning to take it easy and put his feet up occasionally with a well-earned beer in hand. A dedicated educator, he is delighted that Tom Quinnell continues to run his well-structured and challenging course that continues to be extremely popular.

Your course takes place at the Rowhurst Forge blacksmithing and heritage site, where decorative ironwork of a world-class standard has been produced by the same family since 1932. You will be based in the teaching area of our forge, and you will have the chance to see the beautiful work of leading British artistic metalworkers in our well-known Fire & Iron Gallery.

Your course will start promptly on day 1 at 9:00am and finish at 6:00pm. It will continue the following day from 9:00am until 5:00pm. (We may continue on a little later if required, depending on the speed of the group.)

All items you make, you can take home with you.

We will provide tea, coffee, bottled water and biscuits, but please bring a packed lunch with you for both days.

Our booking terms can be found via the menu on our website or by following this link

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Classes are limited to 8 students, each with their own forge, anvil, leg vice and all necessary hand tools (hammers, tongs, drifts, punches, hot and cold chisels, twisting wrenches, etc). PPE is provided - safety glasses, leather gloves, leather apron, and optional earplugs & face masks. All students are required to wear safety boots. For hygiene reasons, you are required to bring your own safety boots - please read our health & safety information for further details on this.

Please do not hesitate to contact Tom if you have any questions or queries - QSB@fireandiron.co.uk - 01372 375148

*** We can take younger students, down to 11 years old, but only on condition that if under 16, they must have a parent or close family adult member also booked on the course with them, they must be well-motivated and really want to take the course and must have reasonable stamina. This course can be quite demanding, and we would advise that they attend one of our other courses before attending this one. Alternatively, we offer shorter and tailored ‘one on one’ courses, suitable for younger students - with these, an adult does not need to participate, but must be present and can observe throughout. Please contact us to discuss before booking.