EVENTS

The Northern Minnesota Metalsmith's Spring Conference

Our metalsmith conference for 2025 will be held April 26th and 27th with a potluck the evening of the 25th for those who arrive to camp out for the conference.

Our knife making demonstrator this year is Jim Poling. Jim specializes in hand forged blades and makes his own Damascus. He has been making knives for over 40 years and currently holds a Journeyman rating with the ABS!

Jim's style embraces the beauty and simplicity of traditional designs. His knives are forged using mono-steel and a variety of Damascus patterns, which he also creates. His favorite steel is 5160 and he typically use 15N20 Nickel Silver for a flash of color in his Damascus.

His knives are sole authored. That means he creates all the fittings and sculpts the handles for his knives from a variety of materials. He also makes a sheath for each knife from quality leather in traditional styles.

To take a look at some of Jim's amazing work you can go to his website https://irontraditions.com/

Or check out his Facebook page.

Our blacksmith demonstrator is Matt Jenkins of Cloverdale Forge. Matt is an internationally recognized award-winning blacksmith. Honing his skills and techniques over the last 25 years studying under master smiths around North America.

In 2009, he received an Honorable Mention in the team forging at the World Forging Championship in Stia, Italy. Returning to Stia in 2015, Matt took home first place in the Drawing and Design category. Matt uses hand tools and early industrial equipment to create designs with a timeless feel.

In addition to daily forging for clients, he leads workshops at Cloverdale Forge and has taught at the John C. Campbell Folk School.

Registration form for the Conference can be downloaded by clicking HERE.