Forge a knife or magic wand at new blacksmithing experience in Frankenmuth, Michigan!

Thanks to Mlive for this:

FRANKENMUTH, MI — Visitors to Frankenmuth can now try their hand at the art of blacksmithing and forge their own knife, magic wand, rune pendant and more at the Bavarian Blacksmith Experience.

Blacksmith experience with a fantasy twist where you forge your own!

The new pop-up shop opened July 3 at Frankenmuth River Place Shops, an outdoor shopping complex located at 925 S. Main St.

The new Bavarian Blacksmith Experience is based on blacksmith Josh A. Weston’s Dragon Forge Experience, which has appeared at various Renaissance-themed festivals and state fairs across the country.

Weston has appeared on the History Channel’s “Forged in Fire,” which features weapon competitions and demonstrations, and competed on the network’s “Knife or Death.” He developed the Bavarian Blacksmith Experience to get others interested in the once-dying art of blacksmithing.

Josh also runs Weston Creatives in Charleston, South Carolina.

Weston said he has helped customers of all ages and all abilities experience what he calls “the absolute joy of blacksmithing.”

“This is fun, but it’s also not beyond the capabilities of anyone,” he said. “We do our best to make sure everyone can have this experience.”

Participants must wear basic safety gear provided by the blacksmithing team and go through a safety briefing. They will work alongside a blacksmith guide, who is responsible for running the forge and will instruct them on how and where to hammer their item. Once the products are forged, the blacksmith guide will grind the metal to ensure a clean and smooth surface, according to a Frankenmuth River Place Shops news release. Depending on the product being made, blacksmithing experiences can last 15 minutes to an hour.

“You have a blacksmith guide that takes you along. We work the fire, we work the tongs, you do the hammering and you get to experience it,” he said. “We make it safe, but it is work and it is hot and you will be swinging a hammer.”

The Bavarian Blacksmith Experience is slated to be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday through July, but Weston hopes to maintain a permanent presence in Frankenmuth.

The cost is $30 on up. Learn more or book a reservation at www.DragonForgeExperience.com or by calling 989-721-4604.

Bavarian Blacksmith Experience

925 South Main St.

Frankenmuth, MI 48734

Homepage

https://www.dragonforgeexperience.com/

Josh Weston

https://www.joshaweston.com/

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