6k 
Forge On
location_on Cheltenham, Melbourne
local_activity classes: Metalwork
5.0 (69)I teach blacksmithing and do my best to inspire people to do what they have never done before. I’ll show you how’s it’s done today and how it was done in the past, From first timers through to more experienced, you will be bending steel like you've never done before. You can buy gift vouchers fast and easily through ClassBento website or book into a Public or private workshop. I want you to be proud of yourself and succeed. You'll walk away with a fine piece of art you just made with your own hands. Don't be surprised when you say...."I didn't know I had it in me. Check out what I just made"
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Reviews
(69)
Sarai Lawson • Apr 2024
Ron was patient and helpful. It was a very relaxed environment despite the importance of striking while the iron was hot! He modelled each step of the process and we were happy with our results. Would definitely recommend and we had a great time! Ron was also happy to help me out with seated options and lighter tools etc for my disability.
Teacher's response
Thanks for the kind words, Sarai! I'm so glad you had a great time and found the session helpful and fun. I'm always happy to accommodate any special needs or preferences, so don't hesitate to let me know how I can make the experience even better for you next time. Hope to see you again soon! Ron
Elizabeth Chow • Apr 2024
4 ClassBento workshops attended • 2 reviews
It was an amazing and comfortable new learning experience in blacksmithing. He was amazingly patient and very personable. The music chosen and the 'on-boarding' was clear and fun. I am eager to see his next class in creating a fry pan! Highly recommend to anyone who wants to learn something new in a very safe and one on one environment of teaching.
Steve Anagnostou • Apr 2024
Ron was a great teacher, beginners course was great to see how it’s all done. Was a great & fun course to do
Teacher's response
Thanks mate, Hope to see you again
Andrew Rowe • Apr 2024
A great entry into the world of blacksmithing, Ron made it
easy to make our first piece, was lots of fun, will certainly be back for another go.
Fiona Jamieson • Apr 2024
Ron was a patient and knowledgeable teacher, who made me feel comfortable and competent. I'd been keen to have a go at this for a while and was please to find somewhere not too far from home.
The workshop itself is a magical space and the small-group set-up is perfect. I really enjoyed learning how to blacksmith. I was very pleased with the item I made and loved all the different techniques employed in forging it.
I thought it was terrific value for money and would (and have) recommended it to others.
I'm keen to go back and take part in the other courses offered.
Teacher's response
Thanks for the glowing review, Fiona. I'm so glad to hear you had a wonderful time learning how to blacksmith in our magical workshop space. It was a pleasure having you and I'm thrilled to hear that you were pleased with the item you made. Looking forward to welcoming you back for more courses in the future. Stay in touch! Ron
Carmel Riley • Apr 2024
Absolutely loved everything about this. We will be back again and again. Thank you so much.
Teacher's response
Great review and truly hope to see you both in the forge again soon. Ron and Rocky
Suzanne Herbert • Mar 2024
This was a fun and supportive on-one-one session suitable for a teenager interested in jewellery and crafting. The teacher was knowledgeable, patient and passionate about sharing his knowledge.
The session was only just long enough to be an introduction into blacksmithing and to make a horse shoe into a heart. I'd highly recommend it for people interested in blacksmithing basics, but if you want to make a bigger project (a sculpted turtle) then you've going to need more than one session.
Julianne Marshall • Mar 2024
4 ClassBento workshops attended • 2 reviews
My partner and I attended the couples Blacksmithing workshop. Ron was an amazing instructor and made us feel at home in his forge. We learnt how to make spoons and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. We were even treated to home made scones, home made jam, and cream! We ended up with a pair of "spooning" spoons. I looked like a Smithies daughter covered in sweat and black and relished every moment as did my partner. We both want to go back and learn how to make something else.
Highly recommended
Teacher's response
I loved the day too and thanks Kelly for the sconesdelicious. Your face covered in coke dust was music to my eyes and well done making a spoon each in just 90 minutes hope to see you both in the forgelots of other cool stuff to make.
Brigid Carey • Mar 2024
Brilliant day making knives in a forge. Ron is clearly a pro, a great instructor, engaging, clear and encouraging. Even as complete beginners, I can’t believe what we produced in a couple of hours Big thanks to Ron and Sid - absolutely fabulous day :)
Teacher's response
What a joy it was to have you both toiling away on a hot Melbourne day too. I had as much fun as you both clearly did. Nice piece of smithing too. Hope you come back soon.
Alia Gray • Mar 2024
Surprised my husband with a private couples class. Had an amazing time with Ron today! Knowledgeable, fun and safe. I was slightly nervous as a first-timer, Husband was like a kid in a candy shop - quickly found confidence with Ron’s help, skills and great sense of humour. Highly recommend.
Richard Bernard Crewe • Feb 2024
This was a Christmas present that my daughter bought me and in return I got her a voucher to. The venue is small, but it was also a small class so no problems. Our teacher Ron gave us our safety gear and talk. As it was only a beginner's class, we did not expect too much, but we made an "S" hook with a twist out of 10mm straight bar. Ron's helping hands and knowledge guided us. Both of us really enjoyed our time with Ron and would definitely go back for another go. We liked all of the course.
Teacher's response
Thanks for the lovely comments. There are lots more interesting things to make when you come again.
Rebecca Zaretzky • Feb 2024
I was given this as a Christmas present.
This is the absolute coolest thing I have done in a long time and I've done some pretty cool stuff.
Having a bit of experience with metal working and knife sharing helped me in the final stages, but I had to pay attention in the beginning. The teacher was very skilled and experienced, with plenty of knowledge.
And easy to get along with.
I will definitely be back to make a knife for my Dad
Teacher's response
Yes your experience showed in your work. Come back soon.
Rachel Gregory • Feb 2024
This class was the most unique and fun class I have done. The teacher was very passionate and answered all of my questions. I learnt a lot in my class and it was awesome to have created something. Would recommend!
Teacher's response
Great review, I had as much fun as you. Hope you come back soon
Melita Prideaux • Jan 2024
12 ClassBento workshops attended • 13 reviews
Ron was a great teacher.
It was nice small class of 4 which enabled my husband and I to gain a better understanding and hands on learning experience with the help of the teacher. Ron took his time with us and was very knowledgeable. He was also very friendly and very passionate about his work.
We also got the bonus of making horseshoes into horse bottle openers that we could take home.
Definitely recommend to everyone to learn and try.
Leigh Crouch • Jan 2024
Great teachers, great space. Fun learning and easy. Very happy with the end result thanks.
Teacher's response
Thank you for the compliments. Hot day in the forge but you produced a brilliant piece. Hope you enjoy it for years to come
June Stewart • Jan 2024
Fabulous hands on introduction to forging knives. Great experience. Thanks Ron for your expertise and humour.
Teacher's response
Thanks for your kind words. It was a pleasure to have you in the forge.
Chris Nash • Dec 2023
Ron was a great teacher, allowed us to be a hands on as possible, and multitasked well when a second booking arrived halfway through our lesson. Was great fun!
Teacher's response
Loved every minute. Thanks for the kind words. Ron
Kerrie Bridson • Dec 2023
This was a fantastic experience. Ron was so patient as an instructor and really flexible about what we both wanted to make. I would highly recommend this mindful blacksmithing.
Teacher's response
How nice to have you both in the forge. Huge energy. Come back soon
Alan Corcoran • Dec 2023
Had a very enjoyable time with Ron in the Forge. The workshop has a certain charm and the tools and equipment look like they are well worked and mostly hand made on site. The walls adorned with old gates and artworks, it's a proper experience to try and shape something out of the mild steel in these surroundings.
The class size was perfect, Ron was easy going and provided great direction. He allowed me to tidy up what I wasn't happy with and allowed me to choose how much I turned or worked my chosen piece of steel. There was no recipie or talk of having to do it exactly like him. It felt natural and easy.
Love the hook I made and loved getting a taste of the 3 or 4 main techniques used to make them. My family were all blacksmiths once upon a time so it was like a forgotten nostalgia for me.
Thanks Ron (&Rocky!)
Alan
Teacher's response
Lovely words, I appreciate them . Hope to see you again and pick up the other techniques
Ronak Moussavi • Nov 2023
3 ClassBento workshops attended • 2 reviews
Ron was a great instructor. He was very friendly and approachable and made a potentially intimidating exercise very enjoyable. Definitely will be back to learn more about the art of smithing.
Teacher's response
A pleasure having you in the forge
Fern Martin • Nov 2023
10 ClassBento workshops attended
Lovely, kind and adaptable teacher. Very accommodating of disability needs and flexible. Very generous with his knowledge and never patronising. Talented artist and craftperson, and a pleasure to learn from.
Teacher's response
Thanks for the beautiful words. I so enjoyed your company
Robert Fleming • Nov 2023
Ron was a patient instructor who was very passionate about his workshop and all that it contained. I had the privilege of one on one tuition and therefore got a lot out of the course choosing the harder option. Overall, I had a fun morning in the forge!
Emily Harle • Nov 2023
Ron was an enthusiastic and helpful teacher! We made some wonderful horse bottle openers. We did this for our anniversary but we will definitely be back with our families! Thanks Ron!
Teacher's response
I had as much fun as you guys. Hope to see you again soon Ron
Sarina Gleeson • Oct 2023
Amazing experience would highly recommend. Both my fiancé and I really enjoyed it. Even with my really long fake nails I was able to forge the knife. Ron was lovely and so informative and fun! We are definitely going back soon!
Dr Alecsia Jacobson • Oct 2023
We did the couples blacksmithing class and had great fun learning some of the basics about blacksmithing from Ron. He is clearly passionate about smithing, and shares that enthusiasm and his knowledge well with his students. He was really pleasant and supportive, and guided us individually as we needed it. I would absolutely recommend this class to anyone wanting to give blacksmithing a try!
Germano Petrocco • Oct 2023
What an extraordinary class! Excellent instructor & just an all round gentleman. A class definitely worth doing.
Kirrily Wyatt • Sep 2023
Ron was fantastic in guiding me through the knife making process. I learnt something new and may have sparked a new interest in forging. I would highly recommend gifting yourself or someone you love this experience.
Catherine Hou • Sep 2023
3 ClassBento workshops attended • 2 reviews
Ron is a great teacher. Very patient with kids. He explained everything very thoroughly. Ron has a good sense of humour. He is very cautious and a good reminder of safety first. He would demonstrate first, then step by step guide us to blacksmithing. We really enjoyed the great experience with Ron and blacksmithing
Hannah Luna • Sep 2023
2 ClassBento workshops attended
Got the gift making class funnily enough as a gift for my partner's bday. We both had so much fun and learned a lot from Ron who is a fantastic teacher! We made copper bracelets for each other and came out with a piece we will treasure for years. Bonus points for Rocky the greyhound, the sweetest workshop dog around.
Sheryll Coulson • Aug 2023
Ron was an inspiring teacher showing us a fabulous array of creations & possibilities in wrought iron. With only 2 in our class, we had individual help & enjoyed hearing about the fundamentals of a Forge and implements required. We are inspired to come back and improve our ironwork skills. Thank you !
Lauren • Aug 2023
Highly recommend giving this class a go if you’re even a little bit interested in blacksmithing. Ron is a great teacher with lots of knowledge, enthusiasm and patience. Super happy with the finished product and learned a few different blacksmithing techniques in the process.
It’s harder than it looks in Skyrim but it’s a lot of fun!
Ben Harvey • Aug 2023
Great lesson, loads of fun really enjoyed every bit of the experience. Definitely be back
Nathan Miller • Aug 2023
The session was awesome! Ron is a great teacher, taking time to explain as well as show what to do. Everything was provided, and I had great fun forging and will definitely be doing more! Thanks Ron!
Matthew Schoenmaekers • Aug 2023
Ron is lovely and someone whos passion shines through when teaching the art of Blacksmithing. Words cannot express how much i would recommend this class to anyone who has a keen interest in starting blacksmithing.
Shelley Hunter • Jun 2023
I purchased this class for my 15 yo son. Definitely on the list of To Dos. As a complete beginner, he got to make a decorative, very useful hook, learning at least 4 different techniques of metal manipulation. He was very pleased with his final product.
The teacher is a very patient and safety conscious man, who I think could work well even with the toughest of students. He made instruction easy to follow and with the one on one teaching, he ensured a positive experience.
The workshop is neat and clean. There are displays of forged creations that inspire one to the next class.
Jacqui Thals • May 2023
Ron was fantastic. Stepped us through the process at really good speed. He explained as he demonstrated and we followed. Very enjoyable experience that we'll happily do again. Good safety too. Jason.
Winter Stagg • May 2023
32 ClassBento workshops attended • 28 reviews
there are not enough good words to be said about this teacher!
he is so patient, yet pushes you to do your absolute best!
the environment is brimming with his art and it is such a welcoming space.
it's definitely a discipline that requires concentration and listening to what your instructor says, but i would not hesitate to recommend this as your first stop on your blacksmithing journey! or even just to make a beautiful gift for someone you love!
Winter Stagg • Apr 2023
32 ClassBento workshops attended • 28 reviews
what an amazing experience! i have wanted to learn more about blacksmithing for many many years and never really knew if it was 'going to be for me'. this is the perfect little class to find out! in my case yes, yes it most certainly is and i plan to do much more of it. if you want to learn more of the old school style of blacksmithing with a patient, expert and occasionally hilarious teacher this is definitely the way to go! i have some disabilities which make certain tasks difficult for me, not an issue! he managed to always keep an eye on everyone and step in whenever help was needed and step back when you were in the groove. he also teaches leather working and his art is just incredible! even if you don't know if blacksmithing's for you, i can guarantee THIS class is!
check it out!
