Forge a traditional herb chopper while learning essential bladesmithing techniques in this two-day workshop at the Carrie Blast Furnaces.
March 14, 2026
Bladesmithing Workshop: Kitchen Tools – Herb Chopper
March 14 - March 15 $125
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Spend two days at Carrie Blast Furnaces crafting a functional herb chopper from high-carbon steel.
In this immersive bladesmithing workshop, participants will forge, shape, heat-treat, and finish a traditional herb chopper while developing essential bladesmithing skills. Instruction focuses on heat control, edge geometry, grinding, and safe knife-making practices, with ample time at the anvil and grinder to refine your work.
You’ll leave with a fully functional, hand-forged herb chopper and a stronger foundation in bladesmithing techniques.
SKILL LEVEL:
This extended workshop is best suited for students who have completed Bladesmithing 1 or who have prior blacksmithing experience, and is a strong next step for those looking to deepen their skills working with edged tools.
INSTRUCTION:
These sessions are led by Rivers of Steel staff artist and bladesmith Jared Ondovchik (aka Artifact Metalworks).
Hours & Admission*
This workshop is offered on the following dates in 2026:
Saturday, March 14 – Sunday, March 15
12:00–6:00 Saturday, 12:00–3:00 Sunday
General Admission
$360
*Workshops are limited to 8 participants. We recommend purchasing tickets in advance as we cannot guarantee tickets will be available for walk-ups.
"We were at Rivers of Steel through the Wounded Warrior Project and it was awesome. I would recommend visiting these guys and having a ball!" —Paul Stajduhar, Metal Arts Workshop Attendee
Location & Directions
The Carrie Blast Furnaces are located in the communities of Swissvale and Rankin in the Monongahela River Valley.
The address is 801 Carrie Furnace Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15218.
What to Know Before You Go
As a former industrial site, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure an enjoyable visit.
- What to wear: Clothing you can get dirty. The workshop space is not temperature controlled; please dress for the weather. Additionally, the ground is uneven—sensible shoes are a must. Open-toed shoes and high heels are prohibited.
- Restrooms & concessions: The rawness of the site is certainly part of its charm. However, that rawness also limits the creature comforts many of us are accustomed to, like running water. Portable bathrooms, hand washing stations, and hand sanitizer are available. Food amenities are not available (with some exceptions, such as food trucks at festivals).
- Photography: Photography is permitted. For safety reasons, videography and drones are prohibited.
- Accessibility: Handicapped parking is available and the ramp to the workshop space is ADA compliant. However, the grounds to the space may not be accessible for all wheelchairs. Contact us for details and options.
- Liability: By purchasing admission tickets, all visitors consent to the terms of our liability waiver and consent to be photographed (PDF).
- Admission: Site access is limited to guided tours, workshops, and events. Unless otherwise noted, all admissions are ticketed.
- Location: The Carrie Blast Furnaces are located in the communities of Swissvale and Rankin in the Monongahela River Valley. The address is 801 Carrie Furnace Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15218.
Thank you for following these guidelines. We wish you to have the best visit possible, and appreciate your patience as we continue to improve the visitor experience.
For more information, contact info@riversofsteel.com.
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