Classes for 2022
March 4, 2022 Update
Only one spot remains in the April class.
Three spots available in June
Two openings in the July class
April 18 through 22 Basic Knife making
June 20 through 24 Kitchen knife making
July 11 through 15 Basic knife making
Each of these classes will include one day of forging blade(s), grinding, heat treating, and assembling a basic forged carbon steel knife. All classes are limited to four participants
$775 for the week. $700 tuition, plus $75 materials fee
To secure your spot in any of these classes, Eamil to howard@mvforge.com, and send a $200 deposit to howard@mvforge.com via PayPal, making sure to mention which class.
Or mail a check to Howard Clark
115 35th Place
Runnells, IA 50237
Balance due two weeks prior to class start date
For all classes:
All required materials will be provided. Blade steel, basic shop supplies, and basic handle materials. Premium materials may be available for additional cost.
You will need long pants, leather shoes, safety glasses, and a dust particle mask of your liking, at least a p95 rating. Bringing snacks or lunch is a good idea, as my place is rural and lunch is not readily available without driving a few miles.
For forging classes, you may also want an apron to protect your from heat and sparks, and you will certainly want gloves. I prefer hot mill gloves made from cotton, or cotton chore gloves. Leather can and will shrink fit onto your hand at times, and can exacerbate the burn potential in this way. I will not tell you that you cannot use leather gloves, as many folks prefer them, but I do not, and that is why.
If you have no prior forging experience, then some hammer practice time may be in order. One of me dear late friends, Larry Harley, always suggested that folks get a carpenters hammer and a pile of nails, and some scrap lumber, and simply drive nails. It builds accuracy, which is essential to forging success.
It is possible there may be more classes added later.
It is also possible that we may be able to accomodate one on one lessons at the rate of $500/day, scheduling to be decided. Please inquire via e-mail, howard@mvforge.com
Places To Stay
This is not a comprehensive list
Pleasant Hill, Iowa
Value Place
1525 Metro East Drive, Pleasant Hill,IA 50327
Studio rooms you can rent nightly or weekly.
Think simple hotel room with a kitchenette.
24 minutes to our house.
Sleep Inn & Suites
5850 Morning Star Ct, Pleasant Hill, IA 50327
23 minutes away
Des Moines, Iowa
Econo Lodge Inn & Suites
410 E 30th St, Des Moines, IA 50317
Good rates, basic hotel.
28 minutes away
Altoona, Iowa
Holiday Inn Express
165 Adventureland Drive NW
Altoona, IA 50009
515-967-1855
29 minutes
Best Western
300 34th Ave NW, Altoona, IA 50009
515-967-2400
30 minutes
Comfort Inn
2101 Adventureland Dr, Altoona, IA 50009
515-967-7888
30 minutes
Quality Inn
2701 Adventureland Dr, Altoona, IA 50009
515-967-4886
30 minutes
Adventureland Inn
3200 Adventureland Dr, Altoona, IA 50009
515-265-7321
Full service hotel hooked up to the amusement park.
30 minutes.
Newton, Iowa
Days Inn
605 W 19th St S, Newton, IA 50208
641-792-2330
37 minutes
Best Western
208 W 4th St N, Newton, IA 50208
641-792-3333
33 minutes
Super 8
635 S 12th Ave W, Newton, IA 50208
641-792-8868
32 minutes
Americas Best Value Inn
2000 W 18th St S, Newton, IA 50208
641-792-4200
29 minutes
Colfax, Iowa
Microtel
11000 Federal Ave, Colfax, IA 50054
515-674-0600
24 minutes
Knoxville, Iowa
Super 8
2205 N Lincoln St, Knoxville, IA 50138
641-828-8808
29 minutes
Red Carpet Motel
1702 North Lincoln Street, Knoxville, IA 50138
641-842-3191
30 minutes
Campgrounds
Yellow Banks County Park
3040-3198 Southeast 68th Street
Des Moines, IA 50327
515-266-1563
18 minutes away
Thomas Mitchell County Park
4250-4492 Northeast 108th Street
Mitchellville, IA 50169
515-967-4889
20 minutes
Elk Rock State Park
146th Avenue
Knoxville, IA 50138
641-842-6008
28 minutes
Roberts Creek Park
1631 Fillmore Drive
Otley, IA 50214
641-627-5507
30 minutes
To reserve your place in this class: Connect with Christine - christine@mvforge.com or call/voice mail 515-966-2126 to verify openings and send $200.00 USD down.
Payment options: 1) $200 down with balance and houseing fee due by Oct. 7 2) All up front. PayPal to howard@mvforge.com, credit or debit card, check/money order to Howard Clark, 115 35th Place, Runnells, IA 50237
For inquiries and questions email
christine@mvforge.com or call 515-966-2126