Entry No. 193 — the Denver file — filed under: hands-on
Hardy & Fuller
Hardy & Fuller is a Denver metal makerspace at 900 W. 1st Ave running forge, hammer, and anvil classes multiple times a month. In a knife-making class you forge a blade from steel and finish it with handle work, with styles ranging from a Viking-style knife to a Higonokami friction folder or a 100-layer damascus blade. They also offer blacksmithing, welding, and jewelry classes if a blade feels like a lot. It is loud, hot, and genuinely productive: you leave holding something you forged.
The story
Tucked into an industrial strip at 900 West 1st Avenue, Hardy & Fuller doesn't look like a standard craft studio from the street, and its name isn't a pair of founders—a 'hardy' is the square tool hole cut into an anvil's face, and a 'fuller' is the grooving tool smiths use to spread red-hot iron [1.3.4]. Founder Ashe Thorne, who started welding at age nine alongside their father and grandfather, opened the shop in 2022 to break down the insular tradition of industrial metalworking. What resulted is a dedicated, queer-owned forge affiliated with the Society of Inclusive Blacksmiths, built specifically so anyone can pick up a heavy hammer without dealing with shop-floor condescension.
Inside Unit 190, the space stays hot, loud, and focused. Propane forges roar, anvils ring, and resident shop dog Sugar snoozes peacefully behind a safety gate despite the noise. Rather than standing behind a safety line to watch an instructor demonstrate, you are handed safety gear, a pair of heavy tongs, and direct access to glowing steel. Thorne and the shop instructors walk you straight to the anvil to teach foundational hammer blows, metal drawing, and heat control.
The class schedule rotates through everything from fundamental blacksmithing and welding to specialized bladesmithing—shaping Viking-style camp knives, Japanese Higonokami friction folders, and 100-layer Damascus blades. You aren't crafting a novelty trinket to toss in a drawer; you're shaping raw bar stock, grinding bevels, fitting handles, and walking away with a fully functional, hand-forged piece of cutlery.
What it's like
Expect an environment that is loud, smoky, and intensely warm the second the forges light up. The vibe is entirely ego-free and supportive, with instructors watching your technique closely to keep you safe without micromanaging your hands. Show up in 100% natural fibers—cotton t-shirts and heavy jeans—because synthetic fabrics will melt if stray scale or sparks land on them. Classes run on tight schedules with a 30-minute buffer at the end to finish up, so keep your pace up if you want to complete handle work before class closes out.
The move: Take a beginner knife-making class together and each hammer out a forged blade, then fit your own handle and sheath to carry home.
📍 Before you go Knife classes run roughly $325-$400+ and fill up; multiple sessions are offered monthly but specific dates require booking ahead. Closed-toe shoes and a willingness to sweat are expected.
- 📍 Denver
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: Denver, CO (metal makerspace; address on booking via hardyandfuller.com)
Hours: Added 2026-06-23 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- Invincible Vinyl — Cool off right down the street by digging through hidden crates of unheralded records in an unmarked industrial bay.
- Galapago Space — Walk two blocks north to duck down an alley into a residential garage transformed into a secret gallery space.
- Black Sky Brewery — Follow up the heat and noise of the forge with heavy metal on the speakers and craft pints four blocks away on Santa Fe Drive.
- Ember & Stitch — Trade your hammer for leather tools nearby to stitch a custom sheath or pouch for your newly forged blade.
Good to know
What should I wear to a class?
You must wear closed-toe shoes or sturdy leather boots and 100% natural fiber clothing like cotton t-shirts and denim. Synthetic materials like nylon or polyester melt near forge sparks and heat.
How much do knife-making classes cost and how far ahead should I book?
Beginner knife-making classes generally range from $325 to $400+, with advanced or intensive classes running higher [1.3.9]. Sessions are offered multiple times a month but fill up quickly, requiring advance booking via hardyandfuller.com.
Do I need prior blacksmithing or metalworking experience?
No experience is necessary. Introductory courses like Blacksmith 101 or beginner knife classes (such as the Viking knife or Higonokami folder) are designed specifically for first-time smiths.
What happens if I don't finish my project during class time?
Hardy & Fuller offers a 30-minute grace period after class ends. If your project still requires work after that window, instructors will guide you on scheduling open studio hours to finish it up.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · Yelp · bucketlistcommunitynews.com · gaydenvermag.com · Reddit
last checked: 2026-06-23