Kowhai Forge

Had an absolutely wonderful day working with Rob and James. This is a perfect gift for someone, or if you're even slightly interested in blacksmithing/knife making, give it a go, you won't be disappointed. The food they provided was excellent and the facilities were top notch. They really take the time to guide you and teach you. Cheers!

Had a great time at Kowhai forge. Fantastic set up, hot steel and a passion for the craft. Hosted and catered superbly. Honestly, get there and get hammering. I will be back with more people in the very near future. The full day course represented great value for money. It's not every day you turn a blank piece of high carbon steel into something that will last a life time and which will be used every day.

Awesome day experience. Friendly, knowledgeable guys happy to share info and experience. Beautiful scenery and cool forge with tonnes of old tools being put to work. Made a great knife that works well in the kitchen.

Had an amazing experience at Kowhai Forge . Rob is a true Craftsman of his trade and an awesome tutor . His willingness to share his passion and knowledge makes the experience so much more than just making a knife as I did . it is truly special day and one I will treasure forever. Cheers Phill BP

The experience was awesome. Tui, my wife had recently purchased a gas forge to add to her collection of metalwork implements for her jewellery workshops. The skills she learned while I was knife making will set her up brilliantly for the future. Highly recommended

Kowhai forge was an incredible experience and Rob is a great blacksmith. He helped my fiance and I make our own chef knives. While we are both complete novices when it comes to blacksmithing, my fiance is a bit better at hands on work than me. Rob did an amazing job of giving help where it was needed and catering to all skill levels. We were directly involved in all aspects of making the knives from designing, to forging and making the handles. The forge has a relaxed family run vibe that is easy to feel comfortable in. We will definitely be back if we're ever in the area again!

I had a wonderful day at Kowhai Forge today making a handaxe complete with fitting the shaft. Rob and his family provided a real country welcome. Rob is a really good teacher and enjoys his work. So don't delay - get out there and make something!

Awesome experience for a day of forging; thoroughly enjoyed. The Kowhai team supplied great food, great knowledge and definitely charged me up to have a crack myself. Only fools and farriers do cold work - have a crack at the hot forge. You won't regret it.

Awesome experience! Went for the whole day and chose to forge a filleting knife. Very well run course, super interesting. Open and friendly atmosphere and an amazing assortment of provided food. Thanks so much to Rob & Arja, this was the highlight of my holiday.

Me and my brother got this for each other for Christmas as an experience we could share. What could be cooler than making knives together?! Having a beautiful knife I made and use and will have forever is a treasure. If I could give this 500 stars I would, we were running late after car troubles but it wasn't a big deal, there was no stress and we just got into it when we got there, the food was homemade and delicious and the day flies by 'cause it's so fun, Rob is the man! I could not recommend this more, perfect team builder, bonding, mates activity. I will most definitely be back and will recommend this to everyone I talk to about it. "One can not have too many knives"