• NEW CLASS FORMAT BEGINNING FEBRUARY 2026… ALL CLASSES ARE NOW 1 DAY, SATURDAY ONLY. SEE THE BLACKSMITHING SCHOOL PAGE FOR MORE INFO.

  • UPCOMING CLASSES

    March 14th - New class, wood slab and metal

    April 11th - Combo class - beginner & cooking utensil

    See the Blacksmithing School page for instructions and cost information. 

    You can receive emails for class announcements by emailing jim@jeepsforge.com and mention you'd like to subscribe.  Thank you for your interest!

  • TEAM BUILDING

    Hone your work group's team skills.  We offer special classes geared toward team building.  Read more here.

  • SHOP RENTAL

    Rent my blacksmith shop!  Do you have blacksmithing experience and have a project where you need a fully equipped blacksmith shop?  Check out the Shop Rental page.
WHAT'S NEW!

SCHOOL OF BLACKSMITHING

The Jeep's Forge School of Blacksmithing provides instruction for learning blacksmithing, tinsmithing and incoporating woodworking into blacksmithed articles.  I give one on one instruction in small class sizes allows the student to receive focused attention.  Whether you are a complete novice looking to learn basic skills or an experienced blacksmith wanting to hone skills, I will provide you expert instruction in an authentic working blacksmithing shop.  Details can be found on the School of Blacksmithing page. 

CUSTOM MADE BLACKSMITHED ITEMS

Do you need something made?  An antique replica?  Some new and unique designed item?


I like teaching blacksmithing.  I equally like to create custom blacksmithed items.  From functional to ornamental, the items I make are of the highest quality and very reasonably priced.  My goal is to satisfy my customers' expectations with every piece I make. 


Give me a call at 704-213-1097 or email me.  I'll be happy to talk with you about the items you're considering having made. 

BLACKSMITHING 101  - February

The History of Blacksmithing

How did Blacksmithing Begin?  Did you know that blacksmithing is one of the oldest and most essential crafts in human history?  Blacksmithing likely began around 1500 BC during the Bronze Age when humans first started working with metals.  Initially, blacksmiths primarily worked with copper and bronze, as these were the first metals to be widely used for tools and weapons.

NOW SELLING AT...

Wildflower Artisan Shop in Elkin, N.C.

I'm now selling a variety of blacksmithed items at the Wildflower Artisan Shop, (formerly Inspired Creations)  Map of location: 209 West Main Street, just a short distance from Interstate 77.  Stop by and take a look if you're in the area.

"WOULD I LIKE BLACKSMITHING?"

Do you have a hobby farm or maybe you’re creating a homestead. Many tools for the homestead can
be made such as picks, mattocks, and other garden tools as well as gate hinges and lock hasps. Also,
outdoor cooking equipment and fireplace tools might be of use at the home or homestead.
Jeep's Forge School of Blacksmithing regularly holds classes for the person who has a casual interest or someone who is already a blacksmith looking for honing their skills, and anyone in between.

Come learn blacksmithing! 

Details are on the School of Blacksmithing page.

BLACKSMITHING HISTORY and TOPICS OF INTEREST


How do I know if I would enjoy a blacksmithing class?

Are you a teacher of chemistry, physics or math?  Coal forge blacksmithing converts coal (coke, which is almost pure carbon) at high temperatures, combining it with oxygen to form carbon dioxide (combustion).  Sword and knife components include iron, carbon, and traces of phosphorus, sulfur, nickel and chromium. This is just one example of how blacksmithing can reference subject matter content.

 


A Poem: The Blacksmith's Christmas Gift

Twas the night before deadline

And all through the shop

I could hear clinkers tinkling...


Another weld that's a flop.


Undaunted, I clean out

my firepot with care

In hopes that a forge-welded

heart would appear.


Dead cans of Miller

are ringing the floor

Darn it! Too late

to get back to the store.


My Carhartts' on fire,

My white cap's turned to black

I couldn't be happier

Bang, bang, tap, tap, tap.


Just six more to make

I can't go to bed

The sulphury smoke's

playing tricks with my head.


Behind my left shoulder

I hear a strange thud:

Not a moment to waste!

My four inch Bosch grinder just fell in the slack tub!


Dawn is approaching

The family is coming

I must wash my face.


Beeswax is applied

to the iron with care

It sticks to my fingers

and gets in my nose hair.


I get out of the shower

And dry off in time

to see Little Jonny awake,

His five-year-old eyes sure do shine.


The family arrives

Presents are flowing,

I'm tired, but sit there

Contentedly knowing


That for five bucks in coal

and a dollar in steel,

Everyone got a handmade gift

We all know how that feels.


Merry Christmas and black boogers to All!


Mike Hricziscse December 23, 2001

ABOUT JEEP'S FORGE
James M. “Jeep” Sabo, Blacksmith/Tinsmith
"What started as a hobby has turned into a part time business. I demonstrate blacksmithing at arts and crafts festivals and schools. I also teach the Metalwork (which incorporates Blacksmithing) merit badge at Boy Scout camp during the summer. I’ve continued to take classes at a local college and attend workshops / "hammer-ins" to advance my knowledge of Blacksmithing and metal work. 

Recently I've introduced wood into my work, having my own sawmill now.

I enjoy doing what I can to educate others thus keeping the trade alive."
Read more...
Man in blacksmith apron hammers a red hot piece of iron on an anvil while standing in his portable forge.
Jeep demonstrates blacksmithing techniques on his portable forge.
"Sabo has operated Jeep’s Forge since 1988 and has been in Rowan County for nearly 30 years teaching both basic and advanced blacksmithing courses to whoever doesn’t mind getting a little dirty and breaking a sweat. Sabo has a doctorate in education and taught physical education, sports medicine and physical science in high school and college before he retired in 2021."
~Salisbury Post.
It was a great honor to have been chosen to provide NASCAR a blacksmithing backdrop for their video commemoration of Jeff "Iron Man" Gordon's 789th NASCAR win. (Filmed at our shop).