Please be aware, our courses are for members only, ABA(Vic) is not a training organisation and does not offer courses to the general public. Payment is required prior to attending courses.
Please show up at 8.30 am to get your forge ready for a 9am start!
2026 Class Dates:
Beginner classes:
Intermediate classes:
Please email applications for any of the above courses to training@abavic.org.au. Remember all of our courses have a maximum of 6 participants, so get in quick for the qualifying courses. If course numbers are not sufficent within 7 days of the course, it may be cancelled or rescheduled.
This course has been designed for new members. You will learn to consistently light a coke fire and you will learn more about the tools we use at The Barn, as well as some forging processes. It is also an opportunity to ask those questions you have been wanting to ask about blacksmithing.
No forging experience is necessary to attend this course, and it is recommended that all new members sign up for this class on joining ABAVIC. If unsure about this contact the Training co-ordinator.
Limit of 6 students per course. Apply here: training@abavic.org.au
This course requires a basic knowledge of lighting and maintaining a coke forge, as well as some familiarity with hammer technique. Andy Jagger will introduce a number of techniques aimed at levelling up your forging game. You will forge some hand tools, learn to heat treat basic carbon steels and become familiar with some new ways to move metal. Apply here: training@abavic.org.au
Payment is required prior to attending!
First in best dressed! We only have room for 6 students, so please be quick.
This course covers all the skills to enable you make your own pair of blacksmith's tongs.
Some forging experience is necessary prior to enrolling in this course.
Limit of 6 students per course. Please contact thesec@abavic.org.au to book in to the course.
*Prior forging experience is essential before enrolling in this course*
To use the Association's power hammer, you must have the appropriate training and/or experience.
We offer an introductory course covering safety, start-up and shutdown, drawing down, upsetting, using dies, hot cutting, swaging and correct use of tongs and tooling under the hammer.
You must be able to demonstrate sufficient anvil forging experience before undertaking this course.
This course will be run on an alternate Sunday to the regular barn meeting days.
Limit of 6 students per course. Please contact thesec@abavic.org.au to book in to the course.
Wrought Iron Course
*Significant experience is essential before enrolling in this course*
Come and learn the secrets of Wrought Ironwork in the Association's Wrought Iron Course.
Learn various forms of scrollwork, collars, fire-welding and other decorative techniques.
You must have completed the Association's 'Blacksmiths Hand Forging Course - Advanced' or have sufficient prior experience before undertaking this course.
Limit of 6 students per course. Please contact thesec@abavic.org.au to book in to the course.
Knife making course - Coming soon.
Hammer making course - Coming soon.
Our training courses are run on an as needs basis for the benefit of Association members only, see membership details here. As courses depend on the availability of experienced instructors, who donate their time, and sufficient numbers of course attendees; we cannot guarantee that scheduled courses will take place.
People interested in joining the Association and Members who are interested in courses should register with the Secretary. Please contact thesec@abavic.org.au
Members should have completed either the Introduction to Blacksmithing (ITB) and Basic Blacksmithing Techniques course (BBT) courses and/or the Self-paced training available at The Barn or been assessed to be at a suitable level of competency by our training coordinator or a committee member, before undertaking more complex courses. Courses start at 9:00am and finish around 4:00pm.
Recommended training progression for new members.
The Association occasionally runs more specialised training sessions such as knife making depending on the demand and experience of the current membership.