I wasn't sure exactly what to expect when I met Cole at the Kzoo Farmers market and decided to take a chef's knife forging class, but I can say that I'm absolutely blown away by the experience. I had a blast, LOVE my knife, and I can say with certainty that I'll be back to do it again.
What I liked most about the class is that Cole gives you complete control over the process, you can let him help, you can do it completely yourself, and you can make all the decisions from shape, to color, to type of wood used for the handle. I chose to make mine larger than he usually does in a class, so it took a little longer than it would if you did a hunting knife or smaller chef knife. My blade is just under 9 inches long and two and a half wide.
You can break it up into two days or do it all in one, I was just over the 6-8 hour timeframe he quoted when I did it all yesterday. He made me a delicious lunch during one of the steel heating sessions and we just had a fantastic day forging knives.
I've already used my knife, it's easily the sharpest I've ever had, and I love the feel and weight - nothing like having a one of a kind piece that I'll have for the rest of my life. read more