Classes at Morgan Valley Forge.

Classes for 2022


March 4, 2022 Update

Only one spot remains in the April class.


Three spots available in June


Two openings in the July class


April 18 through 22  Basic Knife making


June 20 through 24  Kitchen knife making


July 11 through 15  Basic knife making


Each of these classes will include one day of forging blade(s), grinding, heat treating, and assembling a basic forged carbon steel knife. All classes are limited to four participants


$775 for the week. $700 tuition, plus $75 materials fee

To secure your spot in any of these classes, Eamil to howard@mvforge.com, and send a $200 deposit to howard@mvforge.com via PayPal, making sure to mention which class.


Or mail a check to Howard Clark

115 35th Place

Runnells, IA 50237


Balance due two weeks prior to class start date

For all classes:


All required materials will be provided. Blade steel, basic shop supplies, and basic handle materials. Premium materials may be available for additional cost.


You will need  long pants, leather shoes, safety glasses, and a dust particle mask of your liking, at least a p95 rating. Bringing snacks or lunch is a good idea, as my place is rural and lunch is not readily available without driving a few miles.


For forging classes, you may also want an apron to protect your from heat and sparks, and you will certainly want gloves. I prefer hot mill gloves made from cotton, or cotton chore gloves. Leather can and will shrink fit onto your hand at times, and can exacerbate the burn potential in this way. I will not tell you that you cannot use leather gloves, as many folks prefer them, but I do not, and that is why.


If you have no prior forging experience, then some hammer practice time may be in order. One of me dear late friends, Larry Harley, always suggested that folks get a carpenters hammer and a pile of nails, and some scrap lumber, and simply drive nails. It builds accuracy, which is essential to forging success.


It is possible there may be more classes added later.


It is also possible that we may be able to accomodate one on one lessons at the rate of $500/day, scheduling to be decided. Please inquire via e-mail, howard@mvforge.com

Places To Stay

This is not a comprehensive list

Pleasant Hill, Iowa

Value Place

1525 Metro East Drive, Pleasant Hill,IA 50327

Studio rooms you can rent nightly or weekly.

Think simple hotel room with a kitchenette.

24 minutes to our house.


Sleep Inn & Suites

5850 Morning Star Ct, Pleasant Hill, IA 50327

23 minutes away


Des Moines, Iowa

Econo Lodge Inn & Suites

410 E 30th St, Des Moines, IA 50317

Good rates, basic hotel.

28 minutes away


Altoona, Iowa

Holiday Inn Express

165 Adventureland Drive NW

Altoona, IA 50009

515-967-1855

29 minutes


Best Western

300 34th Ave NW, Altoona, IA 50009

515-967-2400

30 minutes


Comfort Inn

2101 Adventureland Dr, Altoona, IA 50009

515-967-7888

30 minutes


Quality Inn

2701 Adventureland Dr, Altoona, IA 50009

515-967-4886

30 minutes


Adventureland Inn

3200 Adventureland Dr, Altoona, IA 50009

515-265-7321

Full service hotel hooked up to the amusement park.

30 minutes.



Newton, Iowa

Days Inn

605 W 19th St S, Newton, IA 50208

641-792-2330

37 minutes


Best Western

208 W 4th St N, Newton, IA 50208

641-792-3333

33 minutes


Super 8

635 S 12th Ave W, Newton, IA 50208

641-792-8868

32 minutes


Americas Best Value Inn

2000 W 18th St S, Newton, IA 50208

641-792-4200

29 minutes


Colfax, Iowa

Microtel

11000 Federal Ave, Colfax, IA 50054

515-674-0600

24 minutes


Knoxville, Iowa

Super 8

2205 N Lincoln St, Knoxville, IA 50138

641-828-8808

29 minutes


Red Carpet Motel

1702 North Lincoln Street, Knoxville, IA 50138

641-842-3191

30 minutes


Campgrounds

Yellow Banks County Park

3040-3198 Southeast 68th Street 

Des Moines, IA 50327 

515-266-1563

18 minutes away


Thomas Mitchell County Park

4250-4492 Northeast 108th Street 

Mitchellville, IA 50169 

515-967-4889

20 minutes


Elk Rock State Park

146th Avenue 

Knoxville, IA 50138 

641-842-6008

28 minutes


Roberts Creek Park

1631 Fillmore Drive 

Otley, IA 50214 

641-627-5507

30 minutes

To reserve your place in this class: Connect with Christine - christine@mvforge.com or call/voice mail 515-966-2126 to verify openings and send $200.00 USD down.

Payment options: 1) $200 down with balance  and houseing fee due by Oct. 7  2) All up front.  PayPal to howard@mvforge.com, credit or debit card, check/money order to Howard Clark, 115 35th Place, Runnells, IA 50237


For inquiries and questions  email 

christine@mvforge.com or call 515-966-2126