AZ CUSTOM KNIVES KNIFEMAKING COURSES
WE ARE PLEASED TO OFFER A VARIETY OF CLASS OPTIONS: Choose your project, timeframe & group size. Basic materials are always included. Our goal is for EVERY student to succeed in our shop! We strive to provide the education & information that will result in meeting & managing expectations - and lead to success. Questions? Connect with us!​
Knife Making Classes
Make your creative dreams a reality.
Remember, our Knife Making Courses entail a stock removal process ONLY. If you want to forge, this is considered a Blacksmithing Course. ALL basic materials are included with each option.
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Why stock removal for knife making? Because this ensures the most successful outcome, especially for a knife that is actually useful and usable. The failure rate with forging is simply too high, particularly with new students.
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Want to start somewhere simple? No problem. Want to dive off the deep end into a high-end, functional work of art? Let's get started! You'll be amazed at what you can achieve PLUS the caliber of project a first-time student can be capable of when learning under our instructor, Alessio.
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In a 1 Person Course, you will be able to choose your own project and have the instructor's undivided attention while completing it. You will be provided with options to upgrade any materials within reason.
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In a 2 or 3 Person Course, you will be provided with a selection of heat-treated 1084 knife blanks to choose from + basic handle materials and all the tools & equipment you will need to work more independently to complete your project. If you need help, Alessio will be nearby to assist you.
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Too many decisions...?
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If you feel lost and aren't sure where to start when it comes to choosing a class or a gift for someone else, not to worry. We are here to advise each client and student on the best recommended approach when it comes to selecting a course or regarding decisions pertaining to style, materials, blade storage, etc.
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It is important for us to ensure whichever option you choose is the best fit for the function of your blade and will be a good option to set you up for a positive and successful outcome.
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DEFINITIONS OF CLASS SIZES
1 Person
One-on-one private class with our instructor, Alessio
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2 Person
Pay for two spots in a class where the students are booked together
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3 Person
Pay for three spots in a class where the students are booked together
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After-Hours Program
Pay for one spot in a class with two other students (3 students total). This class is suitable for beginners with no previous experience.
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Corporate Team Building
Contact us for personalized options!
ONE-ON-ONE vs. GROUP
Choose the best fit for the student.
One-On-One Classes
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Offer the most creative freedom
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Give students the best chance to learn as much as possible
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Allow the student to choose their project and upgrade options for materials
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Typically result in a better finished, higher-end product with more attention to detail
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Require a pre-scheduled preliminary meeting with the blacksmith prior to the class to discuss project details
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Group Classes (Knife Making)
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Are not recommended for beginners, unless it is an After Hours: Intro to Knife Making Program***
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Provide individual stations with top-of-the-line tools & equipment
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Allow each student to choose a heat-treated 1084 knife blank + simple handle materials
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Give students the option to upgrade their steel by purchasing an upgraded knife blank
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Are great for students wanting a knife making class with a more structured project
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Require more self-direction as students have limited supervision from the blacksmith
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Can be easier if the student has previous experience with using tools and/or shop equipment (especially in regards to students feeling more comfortable when working on a more individual basis)
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Give one-on-one students the option to continue working independently on a project
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Do not require pre-scheduled preliminary meetings, unless otherwise requested or arranged
***Our After Hours Intro to Knife Making Program is exactly suited for beginners. Each student will be limited to the materials and guided process outlined in the included syllabus.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. Call, text, email or send us a message on Facebook/Instagram.
RULES & REQUIREMENTS
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1. Every student must come with proper clothing (100% cotton where possible) + safe footwear and any applicable PPE they wish to bring. We do have a selection of PPE available for sale including respiratory, eye and ear protection and will do our best to provide reasonable items when hygienic and appropriate.
2. Each student must sign a liability waiver pertaining to the potential hazards of the course activity.
3. Students are responsible for providing their own food and beverages as well as choosing their timing and duration for taking breaks during their course.
4. Payment terms: a 50% non-refundable fee is due at the time of booking OR the redemption of a valid gift certificate. The remaining balance will be due upon completion of the course. This applies to one-on-one and group courses. The After-Hours Program is approached differently; contact us for details.
5. ALL cancellations must be made in accordance with our Cancellation Policy (see below).
6. We typically book courses Thursdays – Saturdays but always do our best to accommodate schedules, especially for one-on-one courses. Have something in mind? Just ask! We may have limitations within our booking system that prevents us from showing everything we are able to offer.
7. AZ Custom Knives Ltd. reserves the right to stop the course at any point in time due to inappropriate or hazardous behaviour. Any form of abuse or misuse of tools, equipment or damage to the blacksmith shop will not be tolerated and the student will be billed for any damages incurred. Refunds will not be given for courses that must be stopped due to inappropriate or hazardous behaviour and the student potentially may not be invited to return, depending on the circumstances. Let’s all be safe, respectful, and have an amazing time!
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FAQs & IMPORTANT INFORMATION
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ALL COURSES INCLUDE BASIC MATERIALS.
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We are fully licenced and insured for the safety and well-being of our staff, clients, and students.
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We have a selection of PPE available for sale – this includes respiratory, eye and ear protection.
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In the event of injury, the course will be stopped immediately, and the remaining hours of the course will be rescheduled for another day. We cannot guarantee this will happen within a certain amount of time, but we’ll do our best to make it as soon as possible.
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It is not up to the student to find other people to attend a group course unless they have friends or family members they would like to attend with.
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Students are not expected to complete their projects within their initial course timeframe. Once a project has been started, students are able to complete their projects at their own pace and book courses as their schedule and budget allows.
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AZ Custom Knives Ltd. reserves the right to stop the course at any point in time due to inappropriate or hazardous behaviour. Any form of abuse or misuse of tools, equipment or damage to the blacksmith shop will not be tolerated and the student will be billed for any damages incurred. Refunds will not be given for courses that must be stopped due to inappropriate or hazardous behaviour.
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We offer a selection of plush (zippered) nylon storage cases for students to safely store their knives in.
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If you are interested in having a course catered for an event, this can be arranged for an additional fee.
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All students receive a 10% discount in the AZCK store on the day of their course (discount does not apply to custom knives or courses). This may be used on retail items and/or knife making supplies.
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Want to give a course as a gift? Contact us to discuss our personalized packages that can be made for a gift recipient. This includes a physical gift certificate, course information, policies and more. Complimentary gift wrapping is available. A digital version of this package can also be provided.
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Almost all courses received as gifts may be used as a credit to upgrade to a different course. For example, if a student wishes to upgrade from a Group Course to a One-On-One, the amount of their gift certificate will be used as a credit towards the cost of the upgrade. An exception to this may be if the course was purchased via a third party (such as a radio station) for a specific event or within a specific promotion falling under different terms.
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CANCELLATION POLICY
Please be aware that we rely on our courses being attended. Last-minute cancellations and the loss of revenue associated with those create drastic challenges for us. Despite our wishes, we must implement a system and cancellation policy that provides an incentive to attend scheduled courses as well as prevents our company from dealing with frequent loss of revenue. Thank you kindly for your grace and understanding in this situation.
In the event of a cancellation due to no fault of ours, we reserve the right to keep half of the cost of the cancelled course unless the course has been cancelled 7 or more days prior to the date of the scheduled course. If the course was paid for beforehand, the remainder of the course cost will be credited towards the rescheduled course. In the event the course was unpaid at the time of cancellation, half of the cost will be billed to the client. We promise to do our absolute best to clearly communicate any scheduling changes on our end and to reschedule as promptly as is reasonably possible.
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