2026-11-13 - Beginner Knifemaking and Hand Tools
Class Details
- Schedule: November 13-15 (9:00-5:00 pm CT)
- Location: This is an in-person class held at Vesterheim Folk Art School.
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Instructor: KJ Groven
- Level of Instruction: Beginner Friendly
Description
The goal of this class is to set you up with some simple and very useful hand tools that can be made from cheap materials found in the local hardware stores and then learn the basics of traditional Norwegian knifemaking with a pre-made knife blank. You'll also learn to make the knife sheath.
You might wonder where to start if you want to make knives. Maybe you don’t want a fancy Norwegian belt knife that is too nice to use or maybe that is exactly what you want! Either way, this class is for you. We will go back to basics and hand carve a handle. This is something the instructor still does from time to time. By making one by hand, it will be much easier for you to understand this process when you graduate to power tools, and, yes, you can make a knife without power. The knife project will be more of a knife for carving than a fancy belt knife. Then we will make a traditional Norwegian sheath from vegetable tanned leather, with or without a belt hoop. Decoration and finishes of the leather will also be explored.
For knifemaking tools, we will make an awl and a tool for pauting (modelin) leather. We will also make two tang saws – one will be made from scratch with push and pull teeth.
Please note: Students will not be forging their own blades, but will be learning how to put a handle on a premade blade, as well as making their own sheath for the knife.
Supplies
There will be a $130 materials fee paid directly to the instructor, which will include one knife blade.
The instructor will have some different styles of blades for sale that you can choose from for the project.
You can feel free to bring your own knifemaking tools, but don't worry if you don’t have any. Between Vesterheim and the instructor, there will be tools for everyone.