Tryon Arts and Crafts School will host a knife-making workshop with blade smith Gerry Drew on Saturday, June 25 and Sunday, June 26. The goal of this class is to bring students to a basic understanding of knife design and workmanship in the forge. They will learn to forge, heat treat, temper and grind knife blades that can be attached to a bone, antler or wood handle. By the end of the weekend, students will forge several hunting knife blades and create at least one fully functional tool with a pleasant design and artistic qualities.

Instructor Gerry Drew has been making knives for over 25 years using the stock removal method (start with a flat piece of steel and grind off everything that doesn’t look like a knife). Recently, after attending a forging class at Tryon Arts and Crafts, he developed an interest in the forged knife.

Drew said, “Forging gives a person much more flexibility in designing and building a knife. There are bends, twists and tapers that would never be possible with stock removal.”

Drew’s knives are hard working tools that have been used all over the world by hunters, fishermen and campers. Many of his knives are purchased by collectors who are only interested in the art of his knives and never cut a thing. Drew’s knives are available at the Tryon Arts and Crafts gift shop.

The workshop will run Saturday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon – 5 p.m. Students need to bring protective eyewear, leather gloves and earplugs (if desired) and should wear leather shoes and old clothes.

Advance registration is required. For more information about the instructor or workshop, contact Tryon Arts & Crafts School at 828-859-8323 or by email tryonartsandcrafts@windstream.net. More details and examples of projects are available on the Tryon Arts and Crafts website, www.TryonArtsandCrafts.org. There are a limited number of spaces available for this workshop.

Tryon Arts and Crafts School is a non-profit crafts organization located at 373 Harmon Field Road in Tryon and exists to provide creative opportunities for everyone.

– article submitted by Laura Linz