Bronze Age Sword Casting Class

Have you ever watched someone making a sword in the movies and thought it looked too cool for school? If so, this class is for you! Join us in downtown Austin for a 5  hour class (9-2 pm), where you'll learn some of the history of metallurgy, then choose a wooden sword from one of several historical Bronze Age patterns. Next you’ll get your hands dirty making a sand cast of the wooden original, and then watch as we pour an exact copy of it in molten aluminum! Then, while you have lunch, several volunteers and I grind the swords smooth and prepare them for handles. When you come back, wrap the handle in leather and take the metal sword home! $95 This class is an Austin original, usually sells out, and is not taught anywhere else, so grab a friend and strike while the iron is hot!
 Want to see more? Last spring I was featured in BESTAUSTIN, https://youtu.be/vtPHmAC1r6I It is a good summary of the class & shows some of my other maker projects. And recently I helped Andy from How To Make Everything with his goal of casting 2 swords: one  from bronze he made himself, and the other from an alloy made from melted pennies. The penny episode has already had over 2.4M views--check it out! https://youtu.be/CutjZmHoJ3I
Or see Sword Casting Guy’s FB page to see pictures and read raves from happy customers. The class grew out of a desire to make Ancient Civilizations class more hands on, and so is taught very interactively, with lots of archaeology, history, and physics connections being explored. 

Note: This class takes place at the Headwaters School campus, between 807 & 809 Rio Grande near the picnic tables.

FAQs

Is there a minimum age requirement to take the class?

Kids as young as 7 can take the class as long as they have an adult to help them. And you wouldn't be alone--it is common to have almost as many adults as kids come to experience this amazing process!

How many tickets do I need?

The cost of the class is per sword cast, not per participant, so it depends if mom or dad want to cast their own sword. They often do!

I like to do woodworking--can I make a sword ahead of time and bring it to class to cast?

Yes, some of the coolest swords we've seen have come along this way. If you want to try this, email me for dimensions and a few sword design rules of thumb.

Can adults come without a kid?

Sure! People of truly all ages come to my classes--it really feels like a community event.

Sounds dangerous. Is it safe?

As a veteran science teacher, safety is my first priority. Participants are always a safe distance from any burn hazard, swords are not sharpened to a cutting edge, and no sword fighting is allowed in class. In casting over 2,000 swords with multi-age classes, there has never been an injury bigger than a scratch.