Sword Making Ten Day Intensive Course Overview
In this course, each participant will be guided through the steps of creating their own sword by a tutoring team consisting of a master bladesmith and an assistant tutor. The small course size allows the two participants to be taught with close attention and focus from the tutors. This ensures that every participant can create a sword they can be proud of.
As well as forging the sword, the course will teach the theory of sword design, and will include a visit to the archives of the Latvian National Museum to research a selection of historical swords.
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Course Description
- Individualised tuition in forging a unique sword.
- Two students and two teachers.
- Learn a broad selection of metalworking skills; design, forging, grinding, filing, heat treatment.
- Educational excursions
- Three meals provided every day
- Accommodation included
The course will be hosted in the Guild’s Forge, a newly constructed centre for blacksmithing in a beautiful forest park.
The scenic natural beauty of the Gauja national park and the hand crafted timber trusses of the forge form a unique working space to inspire the creation of your sword.
Students will be instructed in the various processes of creating a sword, including:
- Designing the sword.
- Forging the blade.
- Forging the pommel and crossguard.
- Grinding the blade and shaping the hilt pieces.
- Heat treatment.
- Finishing work
- Handle making
- Final assembly
Due to the individual nature of the course, students can choose optional extras for their swords such as Damascus steel blades, precious metal inlay work and bronze or wrought iron hilts. Some optional extras will have an added cost, available on request.
Scabbard making is not part of this course.
When the course is complete students will have a finished sword they can take home with them.
Associated costs of transporting or shipping the sword home will be covered by the participants.
Tutors
Sören Uhlmann (1993)
From an early age, his fascination with mythology sparked a lifelong interest in ancient crafts—particularly blacksmithing, a discipline often portrayed in legend as intertwined with magic and divine power.
At 13, he began training in historical martial arts and went on to co-found a fencing school in Dresden. By 16, he had entered a 3.5-year apprenticeship in architectural blacksmithing with a focus on restoration, working on significant heritage projects involving historic churches and castles throughout Dresden. He completed his apprenticeship in 2013.
That same year marked the beginning of a seven-year journey around the world as a traveling blacksmith. Working in over 20 workshops across different countries, he specialized in the forging of tools and swords, deepening his understanding of global metalworking traditions.
In 2020, he joined the Northmen Guild and began learning traditional carpentry under the guidance of the guild’s master craftsmen. This new knowledge enabled him to design and build the guild’s forge—a collaborative effort completed with the help and passion of fellow members and volunteers. The forge now serves as an educational space where traditional smithing is passed onto future generations.
Today, he leads blacksmithing courses at the guild, teaches at the carpentry courses, and crafts custom blades and swords of his own design—each rooted in his passion for history, craftsmanship, and the enduring legends that first inspired his journey.
“Always seek to be the student not the master.”
Ewan Spooner (1996)
Prior to his training as a blacksmith Ewan studied History at Glasgow University, worked as a mountain path builder in the Scottish Highlands and gained experience in traditional crafts such as dry stone walling and thatching.
Ewan began practising blacksmithing in his home country of Scotland in 2020. Upon his move to Latvia he sought out the Northmen Guild and got involved in the Guild’s Forge project.
After aiding the construction efforts throughout 2023 and 2024 Ewan became the first official Guild’s Apprentice, and now aims to increase his skills and knowledge by working under the Masters of the Guild.
Tomas Nosek (1998)
Tomáš is an art blacksmith and toolmaker. He finds his inspiration in nature and the scripts and history of our ancestors and the myths and stories of many great civilizations and cultures.
In the land of Bohemia he attended seven years of art school, focusing on craftsmanship, art and creating three dimensional objects. His passion for blacksmithing started in a historical smithy where as a boy he forged his first nail. From then on he was fully taken by this enchanted craft.
Having graduated from university of arts and craft, he continued to develop his skills, traveling to foreign countries and working with many masters of the craft, gaining more knowledge, skill and new perspectives on the wide subject of blacksmithing.
Working for many years as a sculptor and architectural blacksmith His deep interest in expanding the knowledge of blacksmithing brought him to the ancient craft of tool making which is his main focus now.
His journey brought him to the northern lands of Latvia. Tom joined the northmen guild and is deepening his knowledge of the craft among the masters. He continues to share his work and knowledge with others.
The beauty of blacksmithing lies in being able to work with all the elements. Air blows deep into the coals of the forge, fire heats the raw piece of steel coming out of the Earth, water is the one to receive the finished axe for heat treating. The process of forging reflects the journey of the learner to achieve mastery.
Educational Excursions
A Sunday morning open air breakfast and swimming in a crystal clear “Mežmuižas” Seven Springs lake
An excursion to the archives of the Latvian National Museum in Riga to inspect and research medieval sword design
Age limitation: 18+
Cost: 5,900, Euros - includes everything in-country: tuition, accommodation, all meals, organized field-trips. Participants are responsible for their own international transport, travel insurance, and extra-curricular costs. Half (50% deposit) of the cost is paid when applying for the course (via
PayPal or Credit/Debit card) and the remaining 50% - before the start of the course or card/cash at arrival.
Conditions for canceling your participation in the course: if you cancel the participation 3 months before the starting date, we give back 75% of the deposit, if you cancel it 2 months before the start of the course, we return 50%, if you cancel later, we do not return the money.
Blacksmithing experience: Participants are not expected to have any blacksmithing experience, but any experience in metalwork or any other crafts / handiwork is appreciated.
Course location: The course will take place in the Northmen Guild’s Forge located within the scenic Vienkoci Park.
Accommodation and Transport: Participants will stay in a self catering apartment in the beautiful village of Ligatne. Transport to and from the forge and to any excursions will be provided by the course tutors.
Food and Catering: Breakfast (and a daily planning session) will take place in the forge kitchen. For lunch we will drive 1km to a nearby burger restaurant. Dinner will be a home cooked meal in the forge, prepared by the assistant tutor.
Language: The course will be held in English