Beginner Knifemaking and Hand Tools with K J Groven (In-Person)

The goal of this class is to set you up with some simple and very useful hand tools that can be made from cheap materials found in the local hardware stores and then learn the basics of traditional Norwegian knifemaking with a pre-made knife blank. You’ll also learn to make the knife sheath.

You might wonder where to start if you want to make knives. Maybe you don’t want a fancy Norwegian belt knife that is too nice to use or maybe that is exactly what you want! Either way, this class is for you. We will go back to basics and hand carve a handle. This is something the instructor still does from time to time. By making one by hand, it will be much easier for you to understand this process when you graduate to power tools, and, yes, you can make a knife without power. The knife project will be more of a knife for carving than a fancy belt knife. Then we will make a traditional Norwegian sheath from vegetable tanned leather, with or without a belt hoop. Decoration and finishes of the leather will also be explored.

For knifemaking tools, we will make an awl and a tool for pauting (modelin) leather. We will also make two tang saws – one will be made from scratch with push and pull teeth.

Please note: Students will not be forging their own blades, but will be learning how to put a handle on a premade blade, as well as making their own sheath for the knife.

K.J. Groven grew up in Skien, Norway, and spent most of his childhood on the family farm working with his grandparents. In 1999, he left Norway to attend South Dakota School of Mines and received a degree as a mechanical engineer. After some time as an engineer, he built log homes and did custom woodworking. He was introduced to a blacksmithing club during this time and was soon making buildings, cabinets, and other furniture in the Norwegian style, as well as forging tools and hardware. He believes he has found his true calling.

Vesterheim offers a 60% discount for in-person class tuition on a space-available standby basis to any resident living within 50 miles of Vesterheim. Students will be notified about the availability of an opening in the class 21 days before the starting date of the class period. Discounts do not include materials fees. If local area residents want a guaranteed place in a class, they must pay regular class tuition.