Blacksmith · Training
Traditional Blacksmithing Workshop
The "Origine" workshop will begin in the fall of 2026. The "Initiation" and "Immersion" workshops will follow in 2027, when the new studio opens. Sign up for the waiting list now.
A rare approach
Traditional blacksmithing prioritizes skill and know-how over equipment.
With the advent of the Industrial Revolution, these two pillars gave way to mass production. Thanks to the efforts of previous generations—and to countries like Japan, which have been more successful at preserving this knowledge—this approach is slowly making a comeback.
This is the approach I teach in my workshops. The hammer will be in your hand, not mine: my role is to guide your movements, from controlling the fire to shaping the cutting edge.
Forge Your Own Knife in Provence
Spend one or two days learning the basics of traditional blacksmithing near Oraison, in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. We’ll chat, work, and eat together around the fire, and you’ll leave with your own knife.
Starting at €330.
Internship Options
Three internship options. The first two take place in the workshop, using the full range of tools I use every day: they begin in 2027. The third goes back to the basics: we set aside all machines and modern conveniences and forge outdoors, without electricity. It begins in the fall of 2026.
01 · Introduction
Introductory Workshop
Rough-forged steel knife.
In the morning: Over a cup of tea, learn about the location, the tools, and the basic techniques; design your own blade; and try your hand at forging.
In the afternoon: geometry work, quenching and heat treatment, sharpening, and handle wrapping (optional).
Support at every step. Lunch by the fire.
330 €
02 · Immersion
Immersion Internship
Forged fixed-blade knife with a hamon temper line and a wooden handle.
Day 1, morning: Explore the area over a cup of tea, learn about the equipment and basic techniques, design your blade, and try your hand at forging.
Day 1, afternoon: geometric shaping, preparing the handle, applying the clay (tsuchioki).
Day 2, morning: quenching and revealing the hamon, tempering in the furnace, polishing.
Day 2, afternoon: Shaping the wooden handle, revealing the temper line with acid, finishing touches, final assembly.
Support at every step. Lunch by the fire.
490 €
03 · Origin
Origine Workshop
Location: outdoors, on a safely prepared area that has been cleared of brush and equipped with a firebreak and a water supply. One trainee at a time. Available from late October through April, with the possibility of postponement in case of wind. Bring warm clothing. Rustic conditions.
In the morning: The design of your blade, forged using charcoal and a Japanese bellows.
In the afternoon: Hand-filed shape, quenched, flame-tempered, edge sharpened first on a grindstone and then with a whetstone, handle wrapped in cotton or linen string.
Tea and meals shared around the fire. You'll leave with your knife, forged and finished entirely by hand.
350 €
Opening in fall 2026; space is very limited. Sign up for the waiting list.
What's the daily schedule like?
Morning
The day begins with a cup of tea. We get to know each other, I show you around the workshop, introduce you to the tools, and explain the basic techniques, and then you sketch the blade you’re going to forge.
Noon
Then the fire takes over. You forge, I guide your movements, and we work at the metal’s pace. We have lunch by the fire, taking our time.
Afternoon
The blade takes on its final form: shape, hardening, sharpening. By the end of the day, you’re holding a knife in your hand that didn’t exist that morning—one you forged yourself.
Who is it for? No experience necessary
No experience is necessary to participate: the basics of blacksmithing are accessible to everyone; it’s perfecting your skills that takes a lifetime. I’ll adapt to your pace, and above all, we’ll enjoy some quality time together.
Workshops are held in very small groups—one to three participants from the same group, never more—and each participant forges their own blade, from fire to a sharp edge, with guidance at every step.
Note: The original version—performed outdoors and with the body positioned on the ground—is physically more demanding.
Workshops open to participants ages 16 and up, when accompanied by an adult.
Give a blacksmithing workshop as a gift
You can give a knife-forging workshop as a gift. If you’re not sure which option to choose, contact me and I’ll help you decide by asking a few questions about the recipient.
The workshop, in Haute Provence
The workshops take place 15 minutes from Oraison and 30 minutes from Forcalquier, in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. It’s a secluded, peaceful spot surrounded by nature: here, we work to the rhythm of the fire, far from it all.
For participants coming from far away, accommodations are available in Oraison, Forcalquier, and the surrounding villages. I’ll provide you with the addresses when you make your reservation.
Who am I?
My name is Elie Eveno, and I’m a blacksmith in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. I specialize in forging blades inspired by the art of the Japanese sword: kotanto, tanto, up to the first long blades.
My elders passed down the traditional blacksmithing techniques to me, and I, in turn, am continuing on this path.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need to have prior experience?
No. Everyone is welcome. The only thing is, the original version is more physically demanding.
Is the meal included?
Yes, the meal, snack, and tea tasting are included.
Do I need to bring any equipment?
All equipment will be provided, including protective gear and tools. We simply ask that you avoid wearing synthetic clothing. Cotton clothing is fine.
Can I take my knife with me when I leave?
Yes, always. You get to take home the knife you forge during the workshop, no matter which package you choose.
What is the Hamon tempering line?
The hamon is the wavy line visible on Japanese blades, created through the clay-hardened tempering process: the blade is coated with a clay mixture before tempering, which hardens the edge while keeping the spine more flexible. This is the technique I use on my tanto knives, and the one you’ll practice during the immersion workshop.
How do I sign up for or give a workshop as a gift?
Contact me to join the waiting list; those on the list get to choose their dates first. If you’re looking for a gift, I’ll help you choose the right package and provide a gift certificate.
Reservation · booking
Book your workshop
The introductory workshop begins in the fall of 2026, one spot at a time. The Introductory and Immersion workshops will follow in 2027, when the new studio opens. Sign up now for the waiting list: those on the list are notified first and get to choose their dates before anyone else. You can also give a workshop as a gift.
Join the waiting list →