Entry No. 41 — the Columbus file — filed under: blacksmithing
Central Ohio School of Metalwork
Tucked away in Franklinton, this specialized metalwork school is run by 'Forged in Fire' contestant Adlai Stein, offering couples the chance to play with fire, anvils, and heavy hammers.
The story
Adlai Stein spent sixteen years working as a paralegal before abandoning desk work entirely to hammer glowing steel. After co-founding the blacksmithing program at the local Idea Foundry, he opened the Central Ohio School of Metalwork in Franklinton alongside his private forge, Macabee Metals. You might recognize his face from Season 3 of History Channel's 'Forged in Fire,' but tucked inside this River Street shop, there are no reality-TV timers—just propane forges, heavy anvils, and an obsession with traditional ironwork.
Instead of watching a craftsman perform behind a glass wall, Stein hands you the tongs and cross-peen hammers directly. The school specializes in taking complete beginners through physical, hands-on shaping. In their four-hour knife workshop, you take a billet of 1095 high-carbon steel, heat it to orange-hot temperatures, and physically draw out the handle at the anvil before grinding down the blade edge yourself.
What it's like
Expect the ambient heat of glowing forges hitting you as soon as you step inside, accompanied by the constant clank of metal on metal. Dress strictly in natural fibers like cotton jeans and heavy work shirts—synthetic fabrics melt under stray sparks—and leave any open-toed shoes at home. It is noisy, sweaty, and physically demanding work, but the atmosphere is patient and beginner-friendly. You will leave with soot on your clothes, safety glasses in hand, and a heavy piece of steel you forged with your own hands.
The move: Sign up for their 4-hour 'Blacksmith Knife' workshop to forge a functional, one-piece integral knife from 1095 high-carbon steel, learning to draw out the handle and grind the blade.
- 📍 Franklinton
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 1376 River Street, Columbus, OH 43222
Hours: Added 2026-07-21 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- WitchLab — Trade hot sparks and heavy anvils for hand-blended potion oils and occult curiosities just two doors down in Franklinton.
- Columbus Glass Art Center — Keep your trial by fire going less than a mile away by trading an anvil for a glassblowing torch at Ohio's largest community glass center.
- The Franklinton Slingshot — Round out your industrial metal tour of the neighborhood by checking out a 20-foot, 6,000-pound steel slingshot sitting along the Scioto River.
Good to know
Who runs the Central Ohio School of Metalwork?
The school was founded by blacksmith Adlai Stein, owner of Macabee Metals and a Season 3 contestant on the History Channel's 'Forged in Fire'.
What do you make in the Blacksmith Knife workshop?
You spend four hours shaping a functional, single-piece integral knife out of 1095 high-carbon steel, drawing out the handle at the anvil and grinding the edge.
Do I need prior metalworking experience to take a class?
No, workshops are designed for absolute beginners and cover basic forge safety, hammer technique, and metal shaping from scratch.
What should I wear to a class?
You must wear closed-toe shoes and clothing made of 100% natural fibers like cotton or denim to prevent heat and spark damage.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · columbusnavigator.com · macabeemetals.com
last checked: 2026-07-21