Forge your own chef’s knife in a three-day San Mai workshop at Waterside Metal Art Studio in Footscray. Perfect for beginners eager to shape steel with guidance from expert artisan Halcyon Window.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
Hang tight — photos are loading
This usually takes just a second.
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
2.5 days
Fitness Level
Participants should be in decent physical shape to handle extended periods of standing and some heavy lifting.
Wildlife
History
Footscray has a rich industrial heritage which informs its growing reputation as a creative hub blending old trades with new art forms.
Conservation
Waterside Metal Art emphasizes sustainable forging practices, recycling scrap metal where possible to reduce environmental impact.
Waterside Metal Art Studio
Forge your own chef’s knife in a three-day San Mai workshop at Waterside Metal Art Studio in Footscray. Perfect for beginners eager to shape steel with guidance from expert artisan Halcyon Window.
Waterside Metal Art Studio in Footscray, Victoria, is a dedicated metalworking school offering hands‑on workshops and multi‑week courses for beginners and developing smiths. The studio focuses on practical skills in knife‑making and traditional blacksmithing, using coke‑fired forges and high carbon steels that participants shape with hammer, anvil and heat. Instructors named in the studio’s program include Tobi Bockholt (knife workshops), Robbie Alderson (beginner knife forging) and Halcyon Window (San Mai knifemaking), who guide small groups through structured, safety‑focused sessions.
Course formats range from short two‑hour introductions and themed 2.5–3.5 hour craft workshops — such as Forge A Rose and Forge a Magic Mushroom — to immersive offerings like an eight‑hour Kitchen Utility Knife workshop and three‑day San Mai knife courses. Multi‑week modules provide progressive learning with take‑home projects after each session, while members‑only forging sessions offer studio access for ongoing practice. Participants consistently leave with completed items — from functional utility knives and chef’s blades to decorative fire pokers and forged keepsakes.
Safety, tool proficiency and material understanding are central to each experience. The studio’s scheduling accommodates single sessions, couple‑friendly workshops and structured modules that build core blacksmithing techniques such as splitting and forge welding. Waterside Metal Art Studio positions itself as a practical, skills‑based learning environment for anyone seeking tangible results from metalwork classes in Footscray.
Location
Footscray, Victoria
Studio based in Melbourne’s inner west
Course Lengths
2 hrs–4 weeks
Short workshops to multi‑week modules
Lead Tutors
Tobi • Robbie • Halcyon
Named instructors guide sessions
Workshops Offered
11 experiences
Knife‑making, forging and member sessions
Reserve a spot in a beginner class, multi‑week module or specialty knife course today and walk away with a finished blade or forged keepsake.
Wear Old Clothes
The forging process can get hot and dirty; dress in durable, non-flammable fabrics.
Arrive Well Rested
Concentration and physical stamina are vital over the multi-day workshop—be prepared to stay focused.
Ask Questions
Halcyon encourages curious minds; engaging fully will improve your technique and experience.
Wear Closed-Toe Shoes
Safety in the studio is paramount, so sturdy footwear is a must to protect your feet during forging.
Closed-Toe Safety Shoes
Protect your feet from hot metal and tools in the forge environment.
Comfortable Work Clothes
Wear sturdy, breathable fabrics that can withstand heat and dirt.
Hydration Bottle
Keep hydrated during intense forging sessions, especially in warmer months.
summer
Safety Glasses
Eye protection is vital when working with sparks and flying particles.