For more information visit The Heavin Forge Website

Call Heather +27 82 442 4840 or Kevin + 27 72 902 9359

For information on class schedules, tuition, and accommodations please contact Kevin and Heather Harvey at email [email protected]

Heavin Forge School in Belfast, South Africa offers American Bladesmith Society approved Bladesmithing classes. Master Smiths Kevin and Heather Harvey operate the school and are the instructors for the classes.

Heavin (Heather and Kevin) have a combined experience of close to 50 years in knifemaking and blacksmithing. We have completed intensive courses with the American Bladesmith Society in Arkansas U.S.A dealing with Bladesmithing and Damascus steel making.  We both have our Master Bladesmith rating with the A.B.S and Kevin has been a member of the Knifemakers’ Guild of Southern Africa since 1991 and Heather a member since 2003.  We are both accredited instructors with the American Bladesmith Society.

Heavin Forge is located on a smallholding on the fringe of Belfast in the Eastern highlands of South Africa. Belfast is one of the coldest and highest towns in South Africa. The airport in Johannesburg is about a two hour drive and a shuttle bus runs five times a day from the airport to Belfast. The route from Johannesburg is main interstate highway all the way.

Kevin and Heather Harvey describe the region as: “scenic” with many touristy things to do within close driving distance. Our small town of 6,000 has all the main amenities such as grocery stores, fast food, pubs, banks, doctors etc. but no mall and no traffic lights! Between our town and the famous Kruger National Park (about 3 hours east of us) is the Panorama Route which takes in some spectacular scenery on the escarpment with waterfalls, indigenous forests and old gold mining towns. The Kruger Park is a must for every visitor.”

ABS Apprentice Smiths are reminded that taking the approved ABS Introduction to Bladesmithing Class shortens the pre-Journeyman Smith jury wait time requirements from 3 years to 2 years.