Teaching & Consulting

With a lifetime devoted to the research and study of the history, science and methods of forged blades, Kevin Cashen is one of the most respected experts in his field on many aspects of his craft.  Because of this, his services as an instructor are much in demand.  Kevin has been an American Bladesmith Society approved instructor for over 20 years, and has taught classes ranging from intro to bladesmithing, for beginners, to blade metallurgy, for master instructors, at locations that include local events, international symposiums and colleges and universities.

His research efforts, which include outfitting his home facility with a complete line up of metallurgical lab equipment, has earned him a reputation of the foremost authority on the science of creating blades and their heat treatment.

The vast number of his bladesmithing colleagues, and even clients in other related industries, who rely upon his recommendations, keeps him much in demand as a consultant with many speaking and demonstration engagements throughout the year.

Kevin offers instruction on all levels, from one on one private classes to week long courses at ABS approved schools. If you are interested in training under an internationally recognized master of his craft, or scheduling a sought after authority to speak or demonstrate at your next event, feel free to contact him to discuss your individual needs.

Private Classes

In order to ensure the highest quality of one-on-one instruction, all classes are for a single person, unless otherwise noted. Students must be at least 13 years of age and accompanied by a parent or guardian if younger than 18.

Essentials of Bladesmithing

This is my most popular class. In this one-day course, a student will produce a 4” – 5” hidden tang blade, heat treated and ready for handling and finish. They will be introduced to the basics of blade design and steel selection before hand-forging the blade, grinding to shape, and heat treating.

Time: 8 hours, with a break for lunch
Prerequisite: None, the less experience you have, the more fun you will have.
Cost: $500

Knife Assembly and Finishing

In this one-day course, the blade that was created in Essentials of Bladesmithing is polished and a handle, guard and butt-cap are designed, created and installed for a completed knife. Due to the nature of the techniques, this class has more demonstration elements, but the student will have plenty of hands-on experience.

Time: 8 hours, with a break for lunch
Prerequisite: Essentials of Bladesmithing, to ensure a blade that is fully compatible with the techniques that will be covered
Cost: $525 ($500, if you provide suitable handle material)

Advanced Heat Treatment and Blade Metallurgy

In this two-day course, the student will learn the chemistry and metallurgy of common blade steels and gain an in-depth understanding of multiple aspects of heat treatment. They will be taught to recognize and understand the phases and microstructures responsible for the properties of blade steel. One day will be devoted to discussion and lab time and the other day will be devoted to hands on heat treatment applications.

Time: 16 hours (two days), with breaks for lunch
Prerequisite: None, but some blade heat treatment experience recommended
Cost: $1000

Introduction to Damascus Steel

Students enrolled in this class will be introduced to selecting the best steels for their pattern welding applications. They will learn to judge proper atmospheres, welding temperatures and how to set the welds by hand before moving to a power hammer, or press on a standard 2lb. billet. The student will produce a Damascus steel bar of 160 layers of more which can be forged into a basic 4” – 5” blade with material left over.

Time: 8 hours, with a break for lunch
Prerequisite: None, but some forging experience recommended
Cost: $600