Entry No. 54 — the Des Moines file — filed under: hands-on
Malone Forgotten Arts (Greg Malone Blacksmithing)
Greg Malone has taught blacksmithing out of his Des Moines home forge since 1984 and also dabbles in flintknapping and scrimshaw. Introductory classes start around $100 for a three-hour fast-paced session covering safety, basic metallurgy, annealing, heat treating, tempering, and hammer technique. Class size is capped at two people at a time, so a couple essentially gets private, one-on-one instruction at the anvil. You learn to identify and work 'found' metals and leave having actually moved hot steel.
The story
Greg Malone has been quietly running a forge out of his South Des Moines home since 1984, keeping alive trades that most people only encounter in history museums. Beyond shaping metal at the anvil, Malone practices flintknapping and scrimshaw, treating his home workshop not as a boutique craft studio, but as a functional forge dedicated to practical, old-world skills.
You won't sit through a slide deck or watch a crowd of twenty people take turns sharing an anvil. Malone caps his introductory sessions at strictly two people at a time. That cap means you get essentially private instruction in reading metal, identifying scrap and found steel, and learning the precise mechanics of annealing, heat treating, tempering, and hammer swings.
What it's like
You'll pull up to a residential address on East Diehl Avenue for your scheduled appointment and step straight into a working forge filled with hot air and metalwork gear. The three-hour session moves at a fast clip: Greg covers safety, basic metallurgy, and tool handling before putting you right in front of the heat. You stand side-by-side at the forge heating steel cherry-red and taking turns hammering it into a hook or simple hand tool while Greg coaches your technique. Wear sturdy cotton or denim—synthetic fabrics melt under heat and stray sparks.
The move: Stand side by side at the forge heating steel cherry-red, then take turns hammering it into a hook or simple tool while Greg coaches your swing.
📍 Before you go Held at Greg's home forge by appointment (call 515-650-3208); classes are limited to two people, so book ahead and confirm dates directly.
- 📍 South Des Moines
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 1675 E Diehl Ave, Des Moines, IA 50320
Hours: Added 2026-06-23 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- South Des Moines Sculpture Park — Keep the south side's self-taught creative spirit going by visiting this outdoor yard of homemade metal and folk-art sculptures under two miles away.
- Monsterama Pubcade — After three hours of heavy hammer work, head to SW 9th Street to grab a drink and play classic horror pinball.
- JJ Gaffers Glass Blowing Studio — If working with extreme heat caught your interest, trade the forge for a molten glassblowing lesson at Mainframe Studios.
Good to know
How do I book a class?
Classes are by appointment only. Call Greg directly at 515-650-3208 to schedule your session and confirm open dates.
How much does the introductory session cost and how long is it?
Introductory classes start around $100 for a three-hour, fast-paced session.
How many people can take a class together?
Class size is capped at two people at a time, making it an intimate one-on-one or couple's experience at the anvil.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · Facebook · cylex.us.com · dmcityview.com
last checked: 2026-06-23