 F.A.Q.
Q: What does the Sword Experience include?
A: Our newest experience allows you to forge an Iron Age Style Short Sword. The overall length will be between 25 and 30 inches (depending on your stamina and speed) and will be forged from 1020 steel. The Sword Experience includes an hour to an hour and a half of forging with one of our dragon smiths. You will also construct the sword handle by "pining" the ornate metal scales onto the hilt. The 1020 steel is then hardened through a super quench solution inspired by Prospect Forge's recipe for hardening lower carbon steels. Once the sword edge has been cleaned and sharpened by our professional grinders, you will take home, same day, a beautiful and complete hand forged Iron Age Sword with full leather sheath. Best part - YOU forged the sword!
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Q: The Time Zone/Time listed in my Confirmation Email is incorrect.
A: If your confirmation email serves you an incorrect time zone or a time you did not intend to book, please contact our team for assistance. Call us at 800-963-8082, or email us at dragonforgeexp@gmail.com, so that your reservation time can be corrected.
Q: Do you have minimum age requirements?
A: We do make recommendations for minimum age, based on length and challenge of experience. 6 years and up can forge a rune pendant or hair pin with the assistance of a parent or guardian. Magic wands and horseshoe knives are perfect for 9 years and up with the assistance of a parent or guardian. 12 years and over can make railroad spike knives and daggers with the presence of a parent or guardian. Warhammers and Swords are not recommended for children under 18 years of age.
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Q: How can I prepare for my experience?
A: 1. Make sure you know where we are in the park and provide yourself with ample time to arrive. 2. Drink water before and during your experience. Water is your number one tool to power through your blacksmithing adventure. 3. Plan to arrive at the forge15 minutes early. This will allow you and your group an opportunity to check in, gather your metal, complete the waiver and take a few moments to observe what is happening in the forge before you go in. 4. Loosen all tightly bound clothing and shoes. It is hot in the forge, if you are already warm before you arrive, disrobe. You also want to have the ability to breathe deeply throughout the experience. 5. Drink water.
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Q: Are there any clothing requirements?
A: Closed toed shoes are recommended; we have leather foot coverings if you aren't wearing shoes with enough coverage. Pants provide great coverage but you are free to wear shorts. Clothing made from 100% cotton is preferred. Some clothing (especially poly based clothing) may require a leather apron. You will be provided with safety glasses unless you wear prescription glasses already. It is highly encouraged for you to loosen tightly bound clothing and shoes. You will also be encouraged to remove all clothing with dangling or protruding pieces.
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Q: Can I wear my costume?
A: Most likely, yes! However, we may ask you to remove tightly bound pieces like bracers, tight belts and tight leg wraps. Proper circulation while exerting energy is important for one to be able to remain conscious. If you do pass out, we may have to finish forging your piece without you. You do not want to pass out.
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Q: What are your COVID-19 regulations?
A: We will be following the rules and regulations of the Ren Faire we are operating in. Please check their site to see what their restrictions and if you are comfortable with them. We do disinfect our hammers between sessions and offer tap to pay checkout options.
Q: Do you take cards or cash?
A: We take both! Sales tax is appropriately added to both purchase types. When paying with cash, it is helpful to have exact change to further reduce physical touch points for germs.
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Q: What are "upgrades"?
A: Experience upgrades are offered to enhance your memento with customization options and additional blacksmithing techniques. Upgrades vary depending on the piece but may include the addition of initials, runes, or bind runes onto a blade or handle. We also offer pommel decorations such as: Skull, Cross, Owl, or Flag. You are welcome to pick any upgrades during your check in process; we have a selection of upgrade design suggestions in our shop you can peruse.
Q: Do the knives come with sheaths?
A: Yes! All the blades made will be sheathed upon pickup with a natural finish sheath, handmade by our crew right here in the USA. ​We also offer options for beautifully upgraded tooled and dyed sheaths.
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Q: How much will I actually get to do?
A: You will get to do most of the hammering. Our smiths generally just make sure the finished piece meets our standards for quality and that it finishes in time for us to remain on schedule. If you follow their direction well, they will have to do very little. In cases where you get tired or we think a break is needed for safety, we will do some of the forging. Generally, you do between 85% and 95% of the forging work. Our team does make sure the final pieces are cleaned up and ready to go.
Q: How long until I leave with my finished piece?
A: All pieces will be returned by the end of the festival day. We do take your telephone number and text or call when your item is ready. Just make sure that you come back before the festival closes for the day to pick up your finished items.
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Q: Do I need an appointment?
A: An appointment is never required but it always recommended! While we take walk-ins when we can, we can never guarantee a spot without an appointment.
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Q: Why do I need to come early?
A: Our goal is to stay on schedule and part of how we do that is getting our sessions all checked in before that time slots starts. It does take a few minutes for each person to chose their upgrades, pay, sign the waiver, and get queued up. We run our sessions European style, which means we combine up to 4 people at a time. Our legal department requires each person to have an active waiver each time they participate.
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Q: Am I able to bring my own steel?
A: We don't generally allow for unknown steel during our experiences for both safety and quality reasons. Depending on the schedule, we occasionally make an exception if we are able to pre-check the requested material. Please call us to talk us through any special requests - before checking out. We are happy to work with you if possible.
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Q: Where are you located?
A: In North Carolina, we are towards the back of the festival grounds between the Dutch Door Stage and Rialto.
B: In Arizona, we are located by the Joust, between Starfire Swords and Medieval Metal, just across from the Joust kitchen.
C. In Texas, we are located at booth 3EF, in the Enchanted Forest Extension, behind the Barbarian Inn.
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Q: What is the Cost of each Item?
Horseshoe Knife with sheath: $90.00
Railroad Spike Knife with sheath: $110.00
Railroad Spike Dagger with sheath: $150.00
Magic Wand: $50.00
Rune Pendant: $35.00
Hair Pin: $35.00
Swords: $600.00
War Hammers: $300.00
*All Deposits are Non-Refundable
Q:Will my Deposit be taken off the full price?
Yes, all deposits are taken off the day of service. Swords require a $200.00 deposit. War Hammers require a $100 deposit. All other forging sessions require a $30 deposit. All deposits will be credited toward your balance due at the time of your forging session. All Deposits are non-refundable.