Entry No. 21 — the Pittsburgh file — filed under: blacksmithing
The Barefoot Forge
Led by self-taught blacksmith Craig Cowan (who famously works barefoot), this North Hills forge offers hands-on metalworking classes where you can hammer raw steel into beautiful keepsakes. It is particularly famous for teaching couples how to forge their own custom Damascus steel rings or delicate metal roses.
The story
Tucked along Harts Run Road in Hampton Township, you will find a working steel shop run by Craig Cowan—a self-taught blacksmith who earned his shop's moniker by working around open fires entirely barefoot. Cowan turned a passion for raw metal into a collective blacksmithing outfit built specifically around teaching total novices how to tame red-hot iron.
Instead of selling finished ironwork from behind a glass case, the forge is built out so you can take up tongs and heavy hammers yourself. Cowan gained local renown for running couples' workshops that guide you through heating, folding, and twisting raw metal into custom Damascus steel rings or delicate steel roses—and he'll even teach you how to saber a champagne bottle with a forged blade if you ask.
What it's like
Expect ambient forge heat, fine soot, and the continuous ring of steel hitting steel. You will stand over open fires and take direct control of the hammer, so leave synthetic athletic gear at home and wear thick, flame-resistant natural fibers like 100% cotton jeans and heavy closed-toe shoes (leave the barefoot work to Craig). Your shoulders and forearms will be thoroughly sore by the time you leave, but you'll have a dense piece of hand-hammered steel in your pocket to prove you did it.
The move: Book the 'Metal Roses' or 'Make Your Own Ring' class, where you and your partner will heat, hammer, and twist raw metal into a beautiful, everlasting steel rose or custom Damascus steel bands to wear home.
- 📍 Hampton Township
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 2984 Harts Run Road, Hampton Township, PA 15101
Hours: Added 2026-07-21 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Bayernhof Museum — Drive five miles south to trade the hot soot of the forge for an eccentric, 19,000-square-foot Bavarian mansion filled with secret passages and mechanical music boxes.
- Pittsburgh Glass Center — Keep the high-heat craft theme going across the river in East Liberty by taking a molten glass-blowing workshop.
- Victory Float Lounge — Head into Lawrenceville after your class to soak your aching arms and shoulders in a massive walk-in Epsom salt float tank.
Good to know
Do I need any prior blacksmithing experience?
Not at all. The workshops are structured for complete beginners, taking you step-by-step through heating, hammering, and shaping raw steel.
Can I work barefoot like the owner?
No—Craig Cowan might operate barefoot, but visitors are required to wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and durable, natural-fiber clothing for fire safety.
What objects can you make in the workshops?
Classes frequently cover custom Damascus steel bands and metal roses, along with foundational blacksmithing techniques and bottle sabering.
Where exactly is the shop located?
It sits at 2984 Harts Run Road in Hampton Township (Allison Park), roughly 20 to 25 minutes north of downtown Pittsburgh.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · verylocal.com
last checked: 2026-07-21