Person holding finished Two Hands Forge course knife with Gyuto profile

Make a Kitchen Knife

Over two days, a group of up to three students are guided by Rowan through the craft of knife making to create a unique, beautiful and high performing handmade kitchen knife.

Students learn the fundamentals and put into practice all processes of the craft, gaining a unique insight that a small group and high level of tuition offers.

The course focuses on the forged blade, with the first full morning dedicated to forging the blade. We use a Japanese pre laminated blank that features a shirogami (white paper) steel core, made specifically for high performing edged tools. When worked and heat treated correctly it provides a very fine grained edge with excellent sharpening properties.

Processes

Hand Forge

  • Working the steel red hot on anvils with hammers.

Profile

  • Grinding the blade to shape.

  • A range of kitchen knife templates are available for students to choose including a Japanese gyuto & bunka.

Heat Treatment

  • Water quench and digital kiln temper.

Bevel Grinding

  • Wide bevel grind to a clean finish and fine edge.

Handle Work

  • Shaping and detailing to suit your hand and use.

Sharpen

  • Learn a step by step process on Japanese water stones for consistently sharp and long lasting edges.

Payment

Cost

  • $950.00 p/person

Deposit

  • A 25% deposit is required upon booking.

  • The remainder is due upon receipt of final invoice two weeks before course commencement.

Cancellation Policy

  • We don’t offer cancellations but we are very happy to swap dates if needed or transfer your deposit to another person.

Details

Address

Time

  • 9.00am for a 9.15am start, through to about 4.00pm depending on progress.

Course Size

  • We have a maximum of three participants per course allowing for a high level of tuition.

Minimum Age

  • 16 years.

Extreme Weather Days

  • In the event that a course date falls on a high fire danger day, the course may need to be rescheduled.

  • Person forging blade during knife making course

    Blade Forging

  • Heating blades during knife making course

    Taking a Heat

  • Person teaching blade forging during knife making course

    Rowan Adjusting Technique

  • Detail of grinding blade shape during knife making course

    Blade Profiling

  • Person grinding during knife making course

    Tang Grinding

  • Person quenching a blade during knife making course

    Quenching The Blade

  • Person bevel grinding during knife making course

    Bevel Grinding

  • Person shaping a handle during knife making course

    Handle Work

  • Person detailing a handle during knife making course

    Handle Detailing

  • Handle glue up during knife making course

    Handle Glue Up

  • Students sharpening knives at Two Hands Forge

    Knife Sharpening

  • Finished knives from the knife making course

    Finished Bunka's