To choose the best blacksmith classes, you should consider what you want to learn about blacksmithing and the schedule you are able to keep in attending such classes. If you are just starting out in blacksmithing, then you should typically look for classes that cover the basics and introduce you to common practices and principles in blacksmithing. You should also consider any specific skills or items you want to learn about, such as farrier skills or candlestick making. As you look at different blacksmith classes, you should also choose courses you can attend fairly easily and are within your budget.
Blacksmith classes are courses in which you can learn to manipulate steel and other metals, often through heating and hammering them into various shapes. If you are looking for classes to begin learning about blacksmithing, then you should typically look for schools in your area that offer introductory classes. You might consider a program that utilizes a tiered approach, allowing you to learn introductory methods in one class and build upon those methods with new skills in subsequent classes. Any blacksmith classes you choose should provide you with the tools you need, unless you already have such items and wish to use your own tools.
You should also consider blacksmith classes aimed at helping you learn about a particular subject or making a specific item. If you want to learn farrier skills, which are used in making and fitting horseshoes, then you should look for classes in these skills. Blacksmiths often are able to make horseshoes, but special classes must be taken to learn the anatomy of the hoof to ensure a horse is not injured or hobbled through improper shoe placement. If you want to learn to make a particular item, such as a candlestick, sword, or furniture, then you should look for blacksmith classes that focus on this item and teach you the methods and skills needed to craft such objects.
Any blacksmith classes you choose should also be close enough to you for you to easily attend. If you want a program that you attend over several weeks, you should look for one that does not require excessive travel. You should also consider the schedule of such classes, as you may be able to take the same class at different times in various months, which can allow you to more easily fit such courses into your schedule. Any blacksmith classes you attend should also be affordable, as financial assistance for such classes is unlikely.