The World’s Top 13 Blacksmith Trade Schools in 2024

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What are the best blacksmithing schools in the world in 2024 for those who want to learn the craft? This article reviewed the top 13 educational institutions to learn blacksmithing.

Blacksmithing is one of the most underrated jobs in the world. Thanks to technology and evolution, it’s a dying art, but still, people make a living from it.

Blacksmithing is not hard to learn; most people now take it as a hobby. Modern-day blacksmithing is quite different and a lot easier than old-fashioned blacksmithing.

There are currently no free online blacksmithing courses. Let’s take a look at the best place to learn the craft.

Top 13 Blacksmithing Schools in the World

These are some of the best blacksmith trade schools in 2024. Anyone interested in learning the craft can learn from them.

1. New England School of Metalwork

The New England School of Metalwork is a nonprofit school where you can learn casting, blacksmithing, bladesmithing, and welding. The school is located in Maine, United States.

You must pay a one-time fee of $30 and the enrollment tuition. They have a scholarship program, but there will be no scholarships for 2024 applicants.

Their blacksmithing studio has all the tools you need to learn the craft with safety equipment. They have different levels: beginner, intermediate and advanced.

2. National School of Blacksmithing

The National School of Blacksmithing is part of Herefordshire and Ludlow College, one of the top blacksmithing schools in the UK. Here you can get your B.A. degree in artist blacksmithing.

They get more than 300 students annually, making it one of the largest blacksmithing schools in the United Kingdom.

The course covers all the aspects of blacksmithing and metalwork. Students will also go for a 4-year blacksmithing apprenticeship under an approved blacksmith.

3. Anvil Academy

Anvil Academy is a nonprofit historic blacksmithing trade school where you can learn other skills like woodworking, leatherwork, metalwork, sewing, etc.

The blacksmithing classes are held in Oregon. If you want to join them, you may need to book them online as they keep the classes small.

4. New Agrarian School

This may be a good school to learn the craft, but it’s expensive, and I won’t recommend it to those who want to become full-time blacksmiths.

Most of their workshops are two weeks long; you pay $1750 for those two weeks, while a 1-week class costs $850. A beginner can’t understand everything about the craft in just two weeks.

If you are rich enough to cover the tuition, material costs & accommodation fees, go for it.

5. Selkirk College Blacksmithing Studio

This is another expensive blacksmithing school, but it is located in Canada. The blacksmithing education is four months, and you will learn the necessary blacksmithing and welding techniques.

The total tuition, supplemental costs, student union fees, and mandatory fees at Selkirk Blacksmithing Studio is $4,693. They offer scholarships to Kootenay Studio Arts students.

When applying for admission, you must be at least 19 years old and have graduated from secondary school. Students below the age requirement must submit a recommendation letter from their secondary school principal.

6. Fire Horse Forge

Want to learn blacksmithing or bladesmithing in Washington? Fire Horse Forge is the way to go. They have classes for beginners and experienced blacksmiths.

The founder, David, has more than 30 years of experience in this craft, and he decided to share this knowledge with his students, but that doesn’t come for free, as you should know.

7. Ms. Caitlin’s School of Blacksmithing

Even if you have never worked with hot metal, you can learn how to move metal effortlessly at Ms. Caitlin’s blacksmithing school in Maryland.

The school is owned by Ms. Caitlin, a professional blacksmith who has taught others this trade for over ten years and helped over 200 students.

8. Fleming College

Searching for classes and workshops to learn blacksmithing in Canada? Fleming College should be on your checklist. They have an artist blacksmith program for students to learn how to create beautiful pieces from hot metal.

It doesn’t come cheap, with the fees for one session pegged at $4,682.07 for domestic students and $14,399.29 for international students.

Fleming College is one of the best institutions offering flexible and unique art and design education in the country. While learning at the college, you can start building your portfolio.

9. Bridgetown Forge

Bridgetown Forge has extensive forging experience of over 30 years in Japan, Israel, and the United States, creating beautiful and functional objects.

They have classes for novice and experienced smiths, teaching traditional blacksmithing, selecting the right steel, toolmaking, metallurgy, tong-making, heat treatment, and forging Japanese-style knives.

10. Virginia Blacksmithing Institute

Accredited by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, the Virginia Smithing Institute is the region’s only certified Artistic Blacksmithing school.

They have courses on blacksmithing for those who take it as a hobby and those who wish to become professionals. The vocational school has 16 forging stations for students with different types of equipment.

11. Cascadia Center For Arts & Crafts

The Cascadia Center for Arts & Crafts offers blacksmith and metal arts classes for all skill levels, and you get the opportunity to learn from some of the professionally trained blacksmiths in the Pacific Northwest.

They provide all the tools and equipment for blacksmithing, but you may want to take your safety gear along. They have classes for intermediate, beginner, and advanced smiths.

12. Clackamas Community College

You can earn a blacksmith degree at Clackamas Community College or further your career in the blacksmithing industry. You get to learn from certified blacksmiths in a conducive environment.

No welding experience is needed; you will learn the basics of welding technology and blacksmithing, steel types, toolmaking, and heat treating. The college is one of the largest public community colleges in Oregon.

13. Pratt Fine Arts Center

Last but not least on our list is the Pratt Fine Arts Center. It’s one of the cheapest blacksmithing schools in the world. They have many hammers, anvils, hand tools, and natural gas forges.

Their blacksmithing classes accommodate beginners to experienced and professional blacksmiths to experiment, learn, and create. PFAC has a tuition assistance program for those who can not afford to join the classes.

Also Read:

How to Become a Blacksmith in 2024

Interested in becoming a professional blacksmith? Follow the steps below.

  1. Get a high school diploma
  2. Go to a vocational or trade school to learn blacksmithing
  3. Go to college for blacksmithing diplomas
  4. Become an apprentice of a trained and experienced blacksmith
  5. Buy online courses to learn blacksmithing or watch YT videos
  6. Acquire the tools required to start blacksmithing
  7. Secure a workshop or rent one
  8. Learn how to market yourself and slowly build your portfolio
  9. Connect with other blacksmiths near you
  10. Continue to gain more knowledge on blacksmithing

Frequently Asked Questions

How many years does it take to become a blacksmith?

It takes 4-8 years to become a professional blacksmith. Anything less than this, and you won’t have enough experience to start your workshop. You can start learning the trade at the very young age of 16, and by the time you are in your early 20s, you will have known every nook and cranny of blacksmithing.

How much does it cost to go to a blacksmithing school?

Most blacksmithing schools in the United States charge around $1,900 – $10,000 for classes that last a year or more. However, if you want to learn the basics of blacksmithing (for beginners) in a few weeks, it would cost $200 – $400.

How much money can you make as a blacksmith?

As a blacksmith, you can make an average of $40,890 per year, less than a metal sculptor’s annual wage of $55,050. Due to technological advancements, blacksmithing is gradually becoming less lucrative as a career. Professional and experienced blacksmiths earn more than $50k -$100k annually.

To make much money as a blacksmith anywhere, you must think outside the box and learn how to promote your work online and offline.

In this article, we discussed the top blacksmithing schools in the world. If you think we missed something, use the comment section below or contact us.

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