Q: What are the age requirements?

A: The minimum age varies for each experience. 6 year olds can forge a rune pendant or hair pin. Magic wands and horseshoe knives are perfect for a 9 year old. Your 12 year old can make railroad spike knives and daggers. 

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Q: How can I prepare for my experience? 

A: 1. Drink water. Water is your number one tool to power through your blacksmithing adventure. 2. Plan to arrive at the forge 15 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. 3. 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.

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Q: Can I wear my costume? 

A: Most likely, yes! However, we may ask you to remove tightly affixed 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: It depends on the experience.

• Daggers and Railroad Spike Knives take the longest to grind and can take anywhere from 20 mins to an hour after your experience to be ready to be picked up. We recommend a little snack and some re-hydration from the nearest pub while you wait for your knife to be finished.

• The Horseshoe Knives are generally ready much faster: 15-30 minutes. A quick drink, a trip to the privies, and your knife should be ready for pickup. 

• The Wands, Rune Pendants and Hair Pins are clear coated and ready to go almost immediately after you finish forging them. Stick close by!

We do take your number and text or call when your item is ready. Just make sure that you come back before the renaissance fair 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. 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 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.