Conner Prairie's 2019 Traditional Arts and Arms Making

Traditional Arts and Arms Making

October 5-11, 2019

Conner Prairie’s hands-on classes provide a rare opportunity to work closely with some of the nation’s best craftsmen. Small class sizes in well-equipped facilities allow you to develop skills from a basic level to advanced. Register today as classes fill quickly. All materials are included in the class price. Tools are provided, unless otherwise noted.

New! Leather Accoutrements 

Learn a variety of basic leatherworking skills with noted leatherworker Ken Scott. The class will have opportunity to work on multiple projects for use with black powder firearms as well as a personal accoutrement or two, such as a leather loading block, shot snake, ball bag, a flint wallet or personal wallet. (tools required).

$135/$130 members (tools/materials required)

Saturday, October 5 / 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Hearth Cooking

Learn to prepare a traditional meal over an open fire. Enjoy the smell of wood smoke as hearth cooking expert Sarah Withrow shares her knowledge. Learn to blend traditional techniques with historic and contemporary recipes that are perfect for home entertaining, historic re-enacting or camping.

$85/$80 members

Saturday, October 5 |  8 am – 3 pm

New! Folding Knife

A hand made folding knife is a joy to use and something you can carry with pride. Bladesmith Brian Barker teaches how to create a historically appropriate knife. Starting with quality steel, brass and horn, students will spend time at the bench learning how to file, fit, harden and temper a practical knife that will serve well in daily use. Tools required

$295/$285 members

Wednesday, October 9  I 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Thursday – Friday, October 10, 11 – 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Basic Blacksmithing

Join Nathan Allen as you learn the basics of blacksmithing including drawing, punching, hardening, tempering steel and forge welding. You’ll make projects such as chain links, s-hooks, a fireplace poker, pliers and a fork.

$260/$250 member

Wednesday, October 9 / 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Thursday –Friday, October 10 -11  |  8 am – 5 pm

Stock Carving & Silver Wire Inlay

Master gunsmith John Schippers will help you learn the basics of two fundamental techniques of decorating long rifles, tomahawks and knives: relief carving and silver wire inlay. Utilizing practice pieces, you will learn how to design and execute decorative motifs, and make your own tools and keep them sharp. You’ll also pick up other tips and techniques from John that he has mastered over his 50 year career as a gunsmith.  

$265/$255 member (tools/materials required)

Wednesday, October 9  1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Thursday & Friday, October 10 - 11 |  8 am – 5 pm

Advanced Hornworking: Screw Tip Powder Horn

Work alongside master hornsmith Art DeCamp to make a screw tip horn. Students will be able to select a horn style that suits their personal taste and experience level.  Basic hornworking techniques such as heating, pressing, lathe work, finishing and coloring of horn will be covered. Returning students are encouraged to bring unfinished horn projects to class for assistance in finishing. 

$585/$565 member (tools required)

Saturday - Tuesday, October 5 - 8  8 am – 5 p.m.

Wednesday, October 9   8 am – 12 pm

Custom Knife Sheaths

Folk artist and leatherworker Ken Scott will show you the many tips and techniques used in making knife sheaths for all styles of working knives. Please bring the knives you want to sheath to class.

$135/$130 (tools/materials required)

Sunday, October 6 |  8 am – 5 pm

Forging Damascus Steel

Let the sparks fly as you learn to make Damascus steel. Blacksmith Nathan Allen will teach the fundamentals of making pattern welded steel from proper steel selection to basic pattern development. Traditional coal forges, anvil, and both hand- and power-hammer forging techniques will be used to make a billet of Damascus steel. The goal of the class is to get the billet forged and make at least one forged knife blank. If you are interested in completing a knife, you’ll also want to sign up for the knifesmithing class. $260/$250 member (tools required)

Saturday - Sunday, October 5-6  |  8 am – 5 pm

Leatherworking

Join Ken Scott as he teaches you his unique style of making hunting bags and pouches. Through pattern development, cutting, stitching, finishing, and basic leatherworking techniques, you’ll create a one of a kind hunting pouch. You’ll also learn Ken’s unique antiquing methods.

$315/$305 member (tools required)

Monday - Tuesday, October 7 - 8, 8a.m. – 5 p.m.

Wensday, October 9  |  8 am – 12 pm

Engraving

Master engraver and author of Engraving Historic Firearms, John Schippers, teaches you the art of metal engraving. Using practice pieces, you’ll learn basic design, tool selection and sharpening techniques. Also, you’ll have the opportunity at the bench to practice and receive critique on the techniques learned in class.

$525/$515 member (tools required)
Saturday--Tuesday, October 5 - 8  8am – 5 p.m.

Wednesday, October 9 |  8 am – 12 pm

Axe Forging

Explore traditional forging techniques with blacksmith Nathan Allen. Examine stylistic differences and construction techniques used on historic axes, and then forge and finish a traditional tomahawk and “Fort Meigs” style hatchet.

$280/$270 member

 Monday - Tuesday, October 7 - 8  |  8 am – 5 pm

Wednesday, October 9 / 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

NEW! Basic  Hornwork and Decorative Techniques

Beginning or advanced hornsmiths will find value in this class. Master Hornsmith Art DeCamp will show you the tricks to design, layout and execute beautiful scrimshaw work. In addition, methods to apply decorative techniques such as lead oxide and polychrome will be covered.  Or, students may opt to construct their own basic powder horn during the class and work on scrimshawing that horn. Each student will be provided a special engraving knife and related materials as part of the class.

$295/$285 member (tools required)

Wednesday, October 9 |  1pm – 5 pm

Thursday - Friday, October 10-11 |  8 am – 5 pm

Knifesmithing

Under the guidance of Dwight Gallian, you’ll learn about the history and creation of a traditional hand-forged knife. Topics include proper steel selection, use of a coal forge and anvil, filing, and finishing a handle. You can expect to complete at least one knife during class.

$280/$270 member (tools required)

Monday - Tuesday, October 7-8  |  8 am – 5 pm

Wednesday, October 9 – 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

New! Building a Colonial Era Pistol

Learn to scratch build a pistol with Mark Wheelan. Students will be able to select a colonial era American school style of pistol to build. Starting with a swamped barrel inlet, students will learn how to properly lay out the pistol so that it has the correct architecture for the style chosen, inlet the lock, trigger guard and other parts and learn proper stock shaping techniques. As time permits, making of small parts such as thimbles will be demonstrated. The goal of the class is to get the pistol completed “in the white” ready for final finishing. Style of pistol will be worked out prior to the class directly with the instructor. Price of parts/inletting will be paid directly to the instructor and will run about $550

$825/$800 members ( tools required)

Saturday – Friday, October 5 – 11 / 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Evening Cook-Out and Benefit Auction

Join new and old friends at our Wednesday evening cookout for good food and better conversations. This is also a chance to be able to purchase items made by Conner Prairie’s craftmen and workshop instructors. All proceeds go to support Conner Prairie’s educational mission (meal price is $20/person)