Categories
knife making Knife making certification

Kan Ek Mesmaak-Kursusse In Bloemfontein Vind?

Inleiding 

Ja, jy kan! As jy al ooit ‘n fassinasie gehad het vir die kunstigheid en presisie van mesmaak, is dit nou die perfekte tyd om daardie belangstelling te omskep in ‘n praktiese vaardigheid.

Bloemfontein, met sy ryk erfenis en lewendige gemeenskap, bied ‘n opwindende geleentheid vir aspirant mesmakers. Of jy nou ‘n ervare entoesiastast of ‘n nuuskierige beginner is, daar is ‘n kursus wat vir jou wag om in te skryf en jou kreatiwiteit te ontketen. Kom ons kyk na die boeiende wêreld van mesmaak in die hart van Bloemfontein.

Is Jy Gereed Om In Die Wêreld Van Mesmaak Te Spring? 

Sluit aan by die Bloemfontein Mesmakersklub (BKMC)! Gestig in 1990 onder leiding van Corrie Schoeman.

Dit is ‘n lewendige gemeenskap met 45 lede, insluitend 3 gildlede. Tiaan Groenewald lei tans die klub en bevorder uitnemendheid in die maak van messe. Maandelikse werkswinkels en uitgebreide kursusse bied deurlopende leerervarings en verwelkom nie-lede ook. Die ekspertise strek van voorraadverwydering tot die maak van Damascus-staal. 

Lederwerkspesialiste maak op maat gemaakte skede. Moenie die jaarlikse skou misloop nie, ‘n hoogtepunt van Bloemfontein se sosiale kalender. Neem die eerste stap en sluit vandag aan!

Kan Ek ‘n Bladesmith Kursus Doen? 

Ja, jy kan! As jy passievol is oor bladesmithing, is daar verskeie kursusse beskikbaar om jou te help om hierdie ambag meester te word.

Wie Sal My Instrukteur Wees? 

Tiaan Groenewald is gebore en getoe in Odendaalsrus, Goldfields, Vrystaat. In 1993 het hy na Bloemfontein verhuis en by die Suid-Afrikaanse Weermag (later SANDF) aangesluit, waar hy 16 jaar as ‘n instrukteur en IEDD-operateur gedien het.

Ná sy seun se tragiese ongeluk in Oktober 2014, het mesmaak ‘n terapeutiese uitlaatklep vir hom geword. In 2015 het hy by die Bloemfontein Mesmakersklub aangesluit en later in 2017 by die Mesmakersgild van Suid-Afrika. Sy messse dra die logo “Ruag” – ter ere van sy seun Ruan en die Heilige Gees (“Ruach” in Hebreeus).

Vandag is ek ‘n deeltydse mesmaker wat my werk uitstal by die Mesmakersgildskou, Bloemfontein-skou, en deur op maat gemaakte bestellings.

Wat Is Die Kursus Opsies?

Inleiding tot Bladesmithing: 

  • ‘n Eendagkursus waar elke deelnemer ‘n swartsmid se mes maak.

Inleiding tot die Maak van Patroon Gelaste Staal (Damascus): 

  • ‘n Waarnemende eendagkursus.

Hands-On Patroon Gelaste Staal (Damascus) Kursus: 

  • Skep jou eie blok.

Vastelem-maak Kursus: 

  • Leer smeed- of voorraadverwyderingsmetodes.

Voorbereiding vir Gildlid Aansoek: 

  • ‘n Een-tot-een kursus om ‘n mes te maak van begin tot finale assessering.

Kyk hierna: 

https://www.herbst.co.za/index.php/hcommunity/groups/groups-free-state

https://www.facebook.com/bfnknifemakersclub

https://www.bfnknifemakers.co.za

Watter Vaardighede Kan Ek Leer Van ‘n Bladesmith Kursus?

Bladesmithing is die kuns om messe, swaarde, en lemme te maak deur gebruik te maak van ‘n smeltkroes, hamer, aambeeld, en smidsgereedskap. Wanneer jy met warm metaal werk, moet jy alles leer oor die smeed van ‘n lem. Veiligheid is belangrik en onder die leiding van ‘n kenner kan jy nie verkeerd gaan nie.

Jy sal vaardighede leer in die volgende:

Smede: 

  • Die proses van verhitting en werk van metaal om skerp-rand gereedskap van hoë koolstofstaal te produseer.

Lem Ontwerp: 

  • Kies die regte lem ontwerp vir die beoogde doel van die lem, insluitend mes lem eienskappe, skerpmaking, en tang konstruksie.

Beheer van Staal Graan: 

  • Die tipe legering waarmee jy werk om die staal te beskerm teen beskadiging. Sekere soorte legerings werk die beste by ‘n spesifieke hitte om jou lem se graanstruktuur te verfyn.

Verharding en Tempereer Metodes: 

  • Verhit die lem tot ‘n kritiese temperatuur en doop dit dan in olie om die staal in sy sterkste toestand te dwing.

Staal Afwerking: 

  • Politoer die lem met emery papier, begin met ‘n groter korrel en werk jou pad af na ‘n fyn korrel totdat jou lem die gewenste afwerking bereik het. Skaaf tenslotte die lem met ‘n wetsteen.

Handvatsel Konstruksie: 

  • Bladesmiths maak dikwels gebruik van houtwerk kennis vir die konstruksie van mes- en swaardhandvatsels, van die keuse van ‘n houtsoort tot klinknagel slaan.

Om in ‘n mesmaak kursus in Bloemfontein in te skryf, maak die deure oop na ‘n wêreld van vakmanskap en gemeenskap. Deur by ‘n klub soos die Bloemfontein Mesmakersklub aan te sluit, kry jy nie net toegang tot waardevolle kennis en hulpbronne nie, maar word jy ook deel van ‘n ondersteunende netwerk van mede-entoesiaste.

Deelname aan skoue en uitstallings laat jou toe om jouself te verdiep in die lewendige kultuur van mesmaak en om die ongelooflike werk van ervare kunstenaars te aanskou. Of jy nou ‘n beginner is of reeds ‘n bietjie ervaring het, dit is die perfekte tyd om jou reis in die kuns van mesmaak te begin. Neem daardie eerste stap vandag en begin jou opwindende avontuur in die skep van jou eie lemme.

Gereelde Vrae

Wat is die verskil tussen ‘n swartsmid en ‘n bladesmith? 

‘n Swartsmid werk met yster en staal om verskeie items te skep. Hierdie term verwys gewoonlik na smits wat met hierdie metale werk. ‘n Verrigter is ‘n tipe swartsmid wat spesialiseer in die maak en pasmaak van hoefysters. Aan die ander kant spesialiseer ‘n bladesmith in die smeed van messe, swaarde, en ander lemme.

Is swartsmidwerk nog steeds ‘n loopbaan? 

Daar is steeds swartsmidwerk beskikbaar, veral vir diegene wat tradisionele metodes kan uitbrei en masjienerie in hul ambag kan inkorporeer. Geleenthede bestaan in fabrieke, historiese herlewinge, en ander areas. Om te sien wat beskikbaar is, soek na oop swartsmidposisies in jou area.

Wat is ‘n bruinsmid? 

‘n Bruinsmid, ook bekend as ‘n kopersmid, skep huishoudelike items soos beelde, kannetjies, ketels, en versierings. Hulle kan ook skild van harnas en juweliersware maak, deur baie van dieselfde gereedskap as swartsmid te gebruik, maar teen ‘n baie laer hitte.

Is ‘n witmuts ‘n ding? 

Ja, ‘n witmuts is ‘n metaalwerker wat afwerkingswerk op yster en staal doen, soos vyl, draai, politoer, of politoer. Die term verwys ook na ‘n persoon wat met “wit” of liggekleurde metale werk en word soms sinoniem met tinsmid gebruik.

Wat is die wit goed wat swartsmidse gebruik? 

In swartsmidwerk word vloei gebruik om die temperatuur te verminder waarop oppervlak elemente soos skaal en onreinhede vloeibaar op die metaal se oppervlak word. Dit beskerm die metaal teen erosie veroorsaak deur lug of gas wat daarteen blaas.

Skrywer: Janice Van Der Westhuizen

Categories
Knife making course

Can You Find Knife Making Courses In Bloemfontein?

Introduction

Yes, you can! If you have ever harboured a fascination for the artistry and precision of crafting knives, now is the perfect time to turn that interest into a hands-on skill.

Bloemfontein, with its rich heritage and vibrant community, offers an exciting opportunity for aspiring knife makers. Whether you are a seasoned enthusiast or a curious beginner, there is a course waiting for you to enrol in and unleash your creativity. Let us look at the captivating world of knife making in the heart of Bloemfontein.

Are You Ready To Jump Into The World Of Knife Making? 

Join the Bloemfontein Knife Makers Club (BKMC)! Established in 1990 under Corrie Schoeman’s leadership

It is a vibrant community with 45 members, including 3 guild members. Tiaan Groenewald currently leads the club, fostering excellence in knife crafting. Monthly workshops and extended courses offer continuous learning opportunities, welcoming non-members too. Expertise ranges from stock removal to Damascus steelmaking. 

Leather work specialists craft bespoke sheaths. Do not miss the annual show, a highlight of Bloemfontein’s social scene. Take the first step and join today!

Can I Do A Bladesmith Course?

Yes, you can! If you are passionate about bladesmithing, there are several courses available to help you master this craft.

Who Will My Instructor Be?

Tiaam Greonewald was born and raised in Odendaalsrus, Goldfields, Free State. In 1993 he moved to Bloemfontein and joined the South African Defence Force (later SANDF), serving 16 years as an instructor and IEDD operator. 

After his son’s tragic accident in October 2014, knife making became a therapeutic outlet. 

In 2015,  he joined the Bloemfontein Knife Makers Club and later the Knife Makers Guild of South Africa in 2017 His knives bear the logo “Ruag” – honouring his son Ruan and the Holy Spirit (“Ruach” in Hebrew).

Today, I am a part-time knife maker, showcasing my work at the Knife Maker Guild show, Bloemfontein show, and through custom orders.

What Are The Course Options?

Introduction to Bladesmithing:

  •  A one-day course where each participant makes a blacksmith’s knife.

Introduction to Making Pattern Welded Steel (Damascus):

  •  A one-day observational course.

Hands-On Pattern Welded Steel (Damascus) Course: 

  • Create your billet.

Fixed Blade Knife Making Course: 

  • Learn forged or stock removal methods.

Preparation for Guild Member Application: 

  • A one-on-one course on how to make a knife from start to final assessment.

Check this out:

https://www.herbst.co.za/index.php/hcommunity/groups/groups-free-state

https://www.facebook.com/bfnknifemakersclub

https://www.bfnknifemakers.co.za

What Skills Can I Learn From A Bladesmith Course?

Bladesmithing is the art of making knives, swords, and blades using a forge, hammer, anvil, and smithing tools. When working with hot metal you will need to learn everything there is to know about forging a blade. Safety is important, and under the guidance of an expert, you can not go wrong. 

You will learn skills in the following:

Forging 

  • The act of heating and working metal to produce sharp-edged tools of high carbon steel.

Blade Design

  • Choose the proper blade design for the blade’s intended purpose, including knife blade characteristics, bevelling, and tang construction.

Control of Steel Grain 

  • The type of alloy you are working with to avoid damaging the steel. Certain kinds of alloys work best at a specific heat to refine your blade’s grain structure.

Hardening and Tempering Methods

  • Heating the blade to a critical temperature and then quenching it in oil forces the steel into its strongest state.

Steel Finishes 

  • Polish the blade with emery paper, starting with a large grit, and then working your way down to a fine grit until your blade has reached your desired finish. Finally, sharpen the blade with a whetstone.

Handle Construction

  •  Bladesmiths often turn to woodworking knowledge for constructing knife and sword handles, from selecting a wood type to peening pins.

Enrolling in a knife making course in Bloemfontein opens doors to a world of craftsmanship and community. By joining a club like the Bloemfontein Knife Makers Club, you not only gain access to valuable knowledge and resources but also become part of a supportive network of fellow enthusiasts. 

Attending shows and exhibitions allows you to immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of knife making and witness the incredible work of seasoned artisans. Whether you are a beginner or have some experience, now is the perfect time to start your journey into the art of knife making. Take that first step today and begin your exciting adventure in crafting your blades.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a blacksmith and a bladesmith?

A blacksmith works with iron and steel to create various items. This term usually refers to smiths working with these metals. A farrier is a type of blacksmith who specialises in making and fitting horseshoes. On the other hand, a bladesmith specialises in forging knives, swords, and other blades.

Is blacksmithing still a career?

There are still blacksmithing jobs available, especially for those who can expand on traditional methods and incorporate machinery into their craft. Opportunities exist in factories, historical reenactments, and other areas. To see what’s available, search for open blacksmith positions in your area.

What is a brownsmith?

A brownsmith, also known as a coppersmith, creates household items such as sculptures, pitchers, kettles, and decorations. They can also make shields of armour and jewellery, using many of the same tools as blacksmiths but at a much lower heat.

Is a whitesmith a thing?

Yes, a whitesmith is a metalworker who does finishing work on iron and steel, such as filing, lathing, burnishing, or polishing. The term also refers to a person who works with “white” or light-coloured metals and is sometimes used synonymously with tinsmith.

What is the white stuff blacksmiths use?

In blacksmithing, flux is used to reduce the temperature at which surface elements like scale and impurities become fluid on the metal’s surface. It protects the metal from erosion caused by air or gas blasting against it.

Author: Janice van der Westhuizen