Surtr Forge — Local services in New Braunfels

10/10 would recommend! What a fantastic experience. I literally started with block of metal and was walked through the entire process of forging a knife by hand. I was given enough steel to build pretty much whatever I wanted and got to pick whatever kind of material I wanted to use on the handle. As long as I picked a design I could finish in the 2 days I spent there, Chad was there to help me build what I wanted to build. Not only that, but this ends up a legit, strong, properly heat treated knife. He had me drop my knife tip first into cement, and then smash it into a concrete block multiple times to test the heat treating process... No real damage... try doing that with your store bought knife!

He provided all the drinks and food for us all while we were there, and he didn't cheap out. He got really good food from restaurants in the area. We also had full access to his pool and hot tub, which was a welcome way to cool down after a day standing in front of a forge.

Not only did I build a super cool knife, but the Caylor family welcomed me into their home and I immediately felt like I was a part of their family. The money you spend here goes straight to funding their non-profit, Reforged, which helps military and first responders that are suffering from PTSD. So not only do you get an awesome experience, but the money you are spending goes toward a good cause.

For real though, this place is amazing. I'll be back. I've attached some pictures of what I started with and what I was able to make. I'll try to get some more picture...

A superb little shop, with amazing people. Not only do they sell knives and forged items but you can have a lesson as well. Our daughter watched other kiddos making little swords out of nails and decided she wanted to go big and make a pocket knife, so for $30 dollars the blacksmiths worked with her for probably 20-30 minutes to forge a small pocket knife out of half a horse shoe. She got to do almost all the hammer work, decided on the shape and size of the handle and blade, and then after forging, they took it to the grinding room, where you get to watch them put whatever kind of finish you want, on the blade. She chose a fully polished blade, and Mom and Dad chose to have the edge and point finished to "playdough" sharp, which means your more likely to hurt yourself with a butter knife than this liitle pocket knife. I've seen sharper knives come out of kids playdough sets, seriously great job to the guys there on keeping it safe. Now she carries it around the backyard, in the included little leather sheath, like she's the next Bear Grylls, with a giant smile to match. Great thing is, when she's older, we can grind an edge and point on it, and she can have a true hand forged pocket knife, that she can keep forever, knowing she made it. Can't speak highly enough of the people here, they were all amazing. Spend a little time with them and come away with a life long...

An absolutely phenomenal experience and overall exceptional customer service, Caylor Forge is certainly the place to go for anyone with a knack for creating things, from absolute beginners (like me!) to pros looking to hone their craft and have some fun. My mom and I visited the Gruene location to forge a knife as a surprise for Father’s Day for my dad and were beyond pleased with our experience, most of all with our instructor Victor, who was extremely patient and wonderful throughout the entire experience! Working with 2000 degree heat is usually something daunting (one would imagine) but was made easy and fun with Victor’s help, especially with the 80s rock music as a background motivator- the whole experience felt so very authentic. My dad was so incredibly thrilled with the knife and so was I with the entire experience, it’s almost hard to believe that such a gem is hidden here in Gruene!

For reference, we purchased The Vaquero knife- which I highly recommend for anyone looking for a knife with character and detail- as well as a sheath and letter stamping. VERY much worth the price.

Thank you again for such a wonderful experience, I can say for certain that Caylor Forge is most definitely a place that my family and I will be happily revisiting, and a place that we will never forget in the history of...