Interest in forging is what brought me to the class, but the instructor's understanding and teaching of the background metalurgy and process as both a science AND art is what made this class worth every penny. Definitely worth checking out.

Fun class. Great way to find out forging is something you want to do.

Sounds funny but I'm a Wedding Photographer who used to work with leather and now wants to dive on the blacksmith world.
Maybe my compass is a little bit out of tune but I never get wrong or unhappy with my past decisions.
And THE best last one was to sign for this Intro Class with Chris.

This was a great experience. For the price, you get a wonderful 2-hour class. I learned a ton, got to watch some cool demos and participate in the process myself. I would very much recommend this class.

Really fascinating class. I learned a lot about metalsmithing, hand-forging, and knife construction. The instructor was clearly passionate about his art, and that's always awesome to see.

We had a blast! Thanks a mil'

Such a great experience! These guys know their stuff; we were super impressed at what they were able to condense into a 2 hour session. Even if blade forging isn't on your list of passions, you'll gain an amazing amount of respect for those who craft. I don't necessarily want to go out and forge a brand new set of knives for myself, but I plan on replacing all the garbage ones I have with pieces I know were made well. Highly recommend the class!

This class was a blast. Chris, the instructor, has a tremendous amount of knowledge and a terrific passion for his art. Thoroughly enjoyed the class!

Was a pretty good class. Chris got a lot of info crammed into those 3 hours. I would definitely recommend to others.

We had a great time an learned a lot about a fascinating trade. Chris was an excellent and fun instructor and was able to answer all of our questions. I would definitely consider taking a longer class and would recommend it for others.

The teacher is a wonderfully friendly fellow and interested in making his craft relevant to everybody taking it. The class itself was fun and informative - a great taste of what participating further might bring. What surprised me is that the teacher is a volunteer and that his organization is a non-profit. The people who teach this class really do so because it's what they love, and they think anybody with a desire to learn should be able to do so without spending thousands on art school.

I think that's awesome. If I didn't live in Indianapolis (I took the class while visiting Chicago), I would most certainly return.

Chris is really good at tailoring the class to what you really want to learn. It was awesome! Take this class; it seems to sell out pretty quick.

Fun class. Lots of into to take in and gained new appreciation for the time and talent this art form takes.
Hammering out a piece of piping hot metal on an anvil is pretty bad ass.

Such an amazing experience. Chris really knows his stuff. Lots of deep chemistry and metallurgy details and conversations about the craft and creativity. Hands on with hammers, anvils and 1600 degree metal.

Chris, the instructor, is one of the most down-to-earth, likeable people I've had the pleasure of meeting. It's abundantly clear how excited he is to share his craft with newcomers, and his enthusiasm made an otherwise-dense lesson much easier to follow. There's a reason blacksmithing is a trade: it takes years of practice to develop the skills needed to shape metal and make it sexy. This class will totally change how you see that process, even when you read a few reviews alongside this one and think, "yeah, I think I have a decent grasp of what it's about" (hint: you don't. You couldn't. I didn't, either. It's okay—just take the class, it's worth it for that alone). Don't be intimidated by the learning, though; it's probably your first time in a workshop like this, and the class still caters to absolute beginners. Chris speaks from a place of great experience; I'm glad I did some introductory reading beforehand, as it helped me follow the terms he uses so fluidly. The lesson itself moves quickly, but the core concepts are easy to grasp. Even those who don't think they'd get into the craft should sign up—the raw experience of the forge and anvil is unforgettable.

Learned a lot about metallurgy, forging technique, the culture at FireArts Chicago, and the process of making a knife. I went in thinking I'd make a sword...I came out with the sure knowledge that if I took the longer class I'd be making a paring knife in the near term and an actual sword after 4+ years of study. Chris gave me a newfound respect for his art, and that alone was worth the price of admission.

The teacher is a funny guy and the class was interesting. Definitely glad I did it, would consider taking other classes where you actually make a knife.

One thing that was not listed is that you need to wear pants and closed toe shoes.

This class was a great intro to the art of knife and sword making. Chris really takes the time to make sure that you understand the amount of artistry that goes into any piece created by a metalsmith and is clearly very passionate about the subject, and as someone who enjoys learning from passionate people, this was a pretty ideal situation. There was only one other person in my class and this allowed for us to have hands on time to work with metal and to learn hammering techniques. After having the hammer and metal in my hands, I have a new appreciation for quality knives. You aren't going to leave this class with your own hand-forged knife, but you might just find your new passion!

I was pretty pleased with the class. I got to learn a lot more about tempering and problems that may arise during the process, as well as different alloys and temperature differences for forging. It really wasn't so much work to get the hammering right once you get the right technique down. It was a lot of fun and really stoked my interest in the art.

I've always been curious about metal forging, and this class was both informative and fun. We spent the first part of the class chatting about forging, looking at examples of GORGEOUS pieces that have been made by Chris (the teacher) and other folks in the space. Then we tried our hand at hammering metal and that was really incredible. Chris won't hover over you, but if you have questions or want to know if your form looks on point, ask him. You won't become a pro during class, but it should give you an awesome taste of what forgers do - and you'll have some cool pics and videos to show your friends!

Great experience in this class & learned a LOT. Really good workout, definitely come prepared to work up a sweat & get a little dirty. FireArts is a great collective of really hardworking, smart artisans.

Great class! It was amazing to learn all of what goes on to making beautiful knives and swords and to see the process through the eyes of an expert. And we had so much fun practicing some of the basic techniques.

it is a cheap class with a lot of information and some great hands on time with a hammer and anvil. Honestly it was amazing and made me want to become a blacksmith for the rest of my life.

An enjoyable class, one which includes both a hands-on component and a theory component. It was an excellent introduction to forging.

This was a great intro class. Very informational and we got to get some hands on experience with forging the metal. Chris really knows his trade

Chris is a master of his craft! He had so much to share about every detail of this art, and clearly loved every minute of sharing. Not only was the class wicked informative, but the hands on portion was rad, and I felt safe every step of the way. I would love taking this class again, would recommend it to anyone interested, and plan to follow up on more offerings from Chris and Fire Arts. So rad.

Great instructor, hands-on examples, and got me very excited about continuing to learn more about blacksmithing.

Awesome class. Lots of great info and gets you a great feel it.

Chris is a world of knowledge about the basics of forging and beyond. He kept the class interesting and hands on....making us realize how much skill, effort and craftsmanship is needed to get a quality result!

Chris was very personable and knowledgeable, obviously passionate about his craft. I never realized how difficult and complex the process is! This was a great overview of it all. You will not walk away with a knife from this class, but an understanding of whether you would like to pursue the activity more in-depth. All that being said, it is also a great upper body workout, too. My arms are kinda sore. Ha!

Chris was terrific! A great intro. Organized, fun, a little scary. A good group. Chris packed a lot in to the 2 ½ hours. Can I make a knife? No, but I understand how it happens. The feeling of the steel moving under the hammer was amazing.

Great class and I learned a lot. Thanks very much! I would definitely take another class with Chris.

I learned how to make fire with materials scrounged from the woods, flint, steel, and char cloth. It was the manliest experience I have had in a long time.

It was an excellent class. Just the right amount of time to have an overview and to get hands on experience. The instructor, Chris, was patient and very knowledgable. You could tell he has a passion for this.

After this class we identified 6 different edible species on a 4 block stroll around our neighborhood. And during the class we collected enough greens for a couple of days worth of wild salads. Thanks so much!

I learned a lot and refined the knowledge I already had. Chris was an excellent teacher who set a good pace and made sure the information got in. We had enough for 4-5 big salads that we are munching our way through and loving.

Chris was very knowledgeable about metalsmithing, and answered every question that came up. He clearly enjoys teaching others about his passion. There was a lot of information, but also a long hands-on period where we each banged red-hot metal. Pretty cool! Note: It was assumed students would know we'd be in a hot/funky/dirty space. Dress appropriately. (I didn't.)

I absolutely loved this class! The instructor was so informative and I had a blast hammering the railroad spike! I'll definitely be back and will spread the word about this place!

first, the instructor is supper hot! (meow!, sorry to objectify lol) I found "forging: swords and knives" to be a very inspiring. i knew very little about the topic and confronted my fear of knives and fire. the class covers chemistry, physics, and history of knife and sword metalworking. i found the the color and textures of transforming metal as a beautiful process.

i left the class seriously continuing to learn and attempt to "forging" a knife. a few nights ago i was robbed at gunpoint in front of my house. i'm a pacifist therefore i view violence as a passive solution. Although knives are tool associated with violence (among overlooked utilitarian uses), attempting to make a knife could take my mind off the situation, motivate me to leave the house, and create an outlet for creative expression.

Aside from my personal reasons, i highly recommend this class. it is very interesting and the instructor is very knowledgable and a passionate metalsmith.

Chris is awesome! This class lasted about 2.5 hours and we got an introduction to the theory of bladesmithing, then everyone in the class had a couple of tries at hammering out some metal. Definitely a worthwhile experience!

This class taught by Chris was extremely informative, educational, and fun. His knowledge of bladesmithing is extensive. If you have just an inkling of how knives and swords is made I strongly recommend you take this class.

Chris is really knowledgable and quite a character. I'd gone foraging before but I didn't realize how many wild edibles there were. Bring a bag for collecting stuff you find and wear bug repellent.

A fun, relaxing and informative day. Chris is a very knowledgeable guide and I learned a lot from him in just a couple of hours, including confirming some of my own educated guesses about things growing wild. Three hours will go by in a flash.

This class was awesome! Chris is extremely knowledgeable on the topic and a great presenter. He successfully blends a practical, efficient "modern" approach to swordmaking with aspects of the "old ways" like being attentive to the various colors of heated metal, the various sounds to listen for as the hammer hits the metal. Also - it is just plain amazing to pull molten metal from a forge and hit it with a hammer! Totally great class! thank you!

Randomly went with a friend and had a great time! It was a fun, hands-on, experience that definitely got me interested in learning more.

Fire, swords and great knowledge - What else can you ask for? We got the ability to try hammering metal and learned a lot about the fine art of knife making. Great intro class to see if you would be interested in this line of work as well as overall fun and educational experience on the complexities of knife making that we often take for granted.

I bought this for my boyfriend for our anniversary. He was excited to attend and upon taking the intro class, is now stoked to have a new hobby. He was thrilled. LOVED the class.

I have been drawing knives and swords since I was a little kid. I've always imagined myself wielding some funky designed bladed weapons and this class really had me understand what it takes to make one. I am humbled with the craftsmanship it takes and the endurance you will need to be able to finish such blades. I feel that Chris and his mentors have a great thing going in this class and I hope to continue with it.

This class was an amazing new experience for myself... how often do you get to pound and red hot steel with a giant hammer? Chris has clear expertise in his field, and more so, he truly enjoys sharing his skills with others. Definitely going to sign up for the longer session to make my own knife! Highly recommend!

I took the Intro to Forging class on a whim and was very pleased with the knowledge I took away from the class. I went from having no working knowledge of metallurgy or working with high carbon steel to a good amount of knowledge regarding the care, work and knowledge that goes into bladesmithing.

This class was a great deal of fun. Chris gave a solid overview of blacksmithing and provided a good amount of hands-on time, certainly stoking a passion for blacksmithing!

Great intro class! Chris was informative and kept things interesting.

A lot of fun very hands on. Chris was excellent. He makes you super excited to just be there. Very informative. I definately will be going back.

Great class, got to get hands on and Chris the teachers was really knowledgeable and enthusiastic.

I had been wanting to learn the basics of forging for so long, and was so grateful to get such a strong understanding of the process through such a short class! The hands-on experience was great and the teacher was so knowledgable!

Great class! Hands on experiences with the tools and learned about the process of forging a variety of blades

I've now taken two classes from Chris (Urban Foraging & Fire By Friction) and both were fantastic. Each was full of information and encouraged participation from the group rather than being a simple lecture. I'll definitely be keeping my eye out for further class offerings.

Great class, informative and fun. We found a large number of the plants on the list, and Chris gave a lot of great information on preparation methods for them. Also, we got background on each plant, from both a botanical and survivalist/foraging perspective.

Chris was an excellent instructor. I found him to have an excellent knowledge base of bladesmithing. His presentation was well thought out and delivered. His style was comfortable and approachable.

Knife making is a skill that takes years to learn and decades to master. In 2 hours, I got a little taste of what it takes to hand forge a knife. There are additional classes available at the studio the class is held, but this wasn't a high pressure selling situation.

This was a great class - everything was explained thoroughly and clearly and I enjoyed it. We had ample time to gather supplies and create our own bow drill.

This was a great way to try working with hot metal and a giant hammer. Chris was full of information and knowledge which he readily shared. Great learning experience and meet interesting people too. Thanks!

Chris is very knowledgable and enthusiastic about foraging and clearly imparted information about safely foraging to us. I highly recommend this class, and Chris as a teacher!

Chris is knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and passionate. This class was a great introduction into urban foraging. I'm looking forward to future classes.

I had a great time! I learned so much in just a short time

Probably one of the best Dabble classes I have taken to date. Lots of hands-on experience and something I don't think you'd have the opportunity to try out anywhere else in the city. Just sign up already...you won't regret it.

Not what I was expecting

This is great if you are interested in becoming a blacksmith and want to know everything that it entails. If you want to be lectured for a long time on tons of stuff you know nothing about, then go for it! If you are interested in going on a date with someone, this would not be an ideal first date. When not being lectured, you do get to try actually hammering and forging metal, which is dangerous, scary, and awesome. I really liked this part. I think the instructor was a cool guy, but not very skilled in teaching. Either that, or he was just testing to see who would become his apprentice. I have a much higher appreciation for this craft as a result, but I was frustrated by the abundance and overwhelming wealth of technical jargon thrown out to complete beginners as if it made any difference to us. If you're willing to put up with boring lecture, take a risk near really, really hot metal, and learn a lot of safety rules, then you can get a fun opportunity to try a small bite of blacksmithing!