Skip to main contentSkip to main navigationSkip to footer content

Bladesmithing

For information, call Donna Haddow at 719-846-5724.
Continuing Education only - not for college credit

This class will cover the forging and grinding of both full and hidden tang blades to shape. We will cover steel selection, tool considerations, different forging approaches, several heat treating techniques, and basic finishing techniques.


Steve Rollert has been making knives for over 40 years, starting with a Burr King grinder in the spare bedroom of a duplex in Denver, Colorado in 1980. Steve’s interest in knifemaking started while attending Skunk Hollow Blacksmithing School. After graduation Steve sought out Japanese Swordsmith, Kuzan Oda, then in Colorado Springs. Kuzan taught Steve the Japanese mindset and disciplines of knifemaking necessary to produce knives of enduring quality and value.Steve has progressed to producing Damascus Steel and hand forging fine blades in his large shop in Keenesburg, CO. He is well known for his quality pattern welded Damascus and his earlier work in cable welded Damascus. In 1999 Steve started Keen Edge Knives in response to a number of requests for high quality training knives from his fellow martial artists. Over the years Steve has strived to provide the best quality product possible at a reasonable price.


Tool list
(Please keep in mind that the tools suggested for each class are the minimum tools you should bring. Please feel free to bring any additional tools you feel you may need)
• Safety glasses
• Respirator either dust mask or double filter (preferred)
• Work apron
• Baseball or other brimmed hat
• Hearing protection
• Welding gloves
• One pair large vice grips
• Hammers - cross pein, and ball pein of about 1.5 to 2.5 pound in weight
• Grinding belts 2 each in 60, 220, 400 grit, zircon or ceramic recommended but aluminum oxide is acceptable, but will not wear as long, size: 2 inch by 72 inch in length.

Please bring a refillable water bottle since we will be working around hot forges and in June weather. Steel is provided by the instructor for a fee payable at the time of the class.