Classes

Than enjoys teaching and sharing his passion for blacksmithing with others. He is a California Blacksmith Association (CBA)–certified instructor with several years of experience. Than has taught a wide range of students, including youth and adults, makers camps, 4-H clubs, and Scout troops, and he regularly demonstrates at blacksmithing events.

He has also contributed to the CBA magazine as both a writer and an editor. Than believes that, as craftsmen, we have a moral obligation to teach. If you learn a craft and do not teach, you are stealing from the future. He has been fortunate to learn from many skilled smiths who generously shared their knowledge, and now it is his turn to pass it on.

One of Than’s primary goals in teaching is to introduce people to the craft so they can understand what it takes to master a skill like blacksmithing. Fostering an appreciation for arts and crafts helps add value not only to blacksmithing, but to all forms of craftsmanship. His intention is not to create master blacksmiths, but to promote the craft, share meaningful experiences, and help others discover that, at the end of the day, it’s just a lot of fun.