THE GTHS SCHOOL OF BLACKSMITHING

• April 11, 12 & 13th: Axe and Tomahawk Forging. Join Instructor Bart Dellinger at the Goshen Historical Society of Blacksmithing to learn axe and tomahawk forging. During this 3-day course participants will learn methods to forge and finish their choice of an 18th century style polled axe, polled tomahawk or a spike tomahawk by employing the punched eye method on high carbon steel. Additionally, students will learn methods to successfully heat treat and temper their blade edges, as well as shaping, fitting and finishing handles from a wooden blank. No experience is necessary to attend. Instruction will be tailored to suit individual needs in a relaxed learning environment. The cost is $425 per person and a $200 deposit is required to reserve your spot.

• April 25, 26 & 27th: Butt Plate & Trigger Guard Seminar. Frank House and Joe Seabolt will lead a Butt plate & trigger guard for a muffzle loading rifle seminar. Covers the forging techniques and brazing in a coal forge. and proportion are explained and demonstrated. All these techniques can be adapted into forging endless other hardware items. Class involves forge welding and fire brazing.  The cost is $550 per registration which includes materials. 

• May 30th & 31st: 18th Century Hinges & Latches.  Instructor Joe Rachita $400. Josh is a very talented blacksmith trained and working at Colonial Williamsburg. In this class you will learn to make 18th century door hardware, specifically: Hinges, Pintles and Suffolk Latches. Over the course of 2 days, we                                             will utilize techniques of forge welding, hot punches, and drifting. Cold techniques like cold punching, riveting and filing. We   will also discuss ideas and standards around 18th century reproduction techniques. This class is perfect for the seasoned   beginner or advanced smith to learn to apply the basics of forging in a more complex way. This will be an excellent class for learning the way an 18th century Blacksmith went about his daily work. These techniques will be helpful for much more than hinges and latches.

• June 28-29th: Joe Seabolt and Joe McGee Backwoods Knife class.  Participants will forge, file, heat treat and finish a traditional knife with wood slab handles using basic blacksmithing tools and techniquest. The cost is $375 which includes materials.  

• October 10th, 11th, & 12th: Axe Class. Instructor Bart Dellinger $425

• November 7, 8 & 9th: Frank House and Joe Seabolt Knife Seminar.  The participants get to explore a variety of handle options such as thru tang wood or antler handles, adding guards and pouring pewter bolsters.  The cost is $525 plus $25 for materials.

• November 22 & 23rd: Frank House and Joe Seabolt Brass Casting muzzleloading gun hardware. Cost is $350 plus $25 for materials. 

We are still working on more class offerings and other instructors as details get worked out. Please check again for updates.

All classes have a maximum of eight spots, but we will maintain a waiting list in case someone cancels their enrollment. A 50% deposit is required to hold a spot. Deposits payable to the Goshen Township Historical Society, mailed to Jamie Gier, 6777 Linton Road, Goshen, Ohio 45122.

To register contact Jamie Gier at 419.209.2661. Payment can be made directly on our website or if paying by check, make payable to GTHS and mail to 6777 Linton Rd. Goshen OH 45122.

Please let Resident Blacksmith Jamie Gier know other areas of study you would be interested to see on our schedule. All of the classes have a limited number of spots available. Please note: if we do not have enough participants to break even (covering instructor and materials costs), the class will be cancelled and registered participants will be issued a full refund.

Class size varies from 6 to 10, depending on  instructor’s preference. Deposit of 50% required to hold your spot. Payment in full is preferred. 

• Payment by check (preferred) made payable to Goshen Twp. Historical Society and mailed to Jamie Gier 6777 Linton Rd. Goshen, OH 45122. 

• Pay by credit card (scroll down to the PayPal button) at www.goshenhistory.org. If you pay by credit card, please select the option to cover the nominal PayPal fee otherwise assessed to the historical society. 

Regardless of your selected payment type, contact Jamie Gier confirm your reserved spot for the class by phone 419.209.2661 or email jamie@evansfuneralhome.com