Craftsman Ave — Local services in New York

The Create a Legendary Damascus Knife workshop at @craftsmanave was very enjoyable! The instructor Paulie and the hosts Dana and Gene were knowledgeable and very friendly! All three have excellent sense of humors and personable. We began with each participant selecting a Damascus steel blank and then each drew their particular style knife outline on the blank. We were then informed of the general total workflow; though of course Paulie reminded us at each stage explained in better detail what each step was when we got to that point). At each stage of the workshop workflow Paulie, Dana and/or Gene offered their assistance if someone was tired from the extensive sanding or sawing. As part of the workflow, we got use to a bandsaw, band sander, drill press and circular sander, as well as some MANUAL sanding ;using various grits of paper; to fine tune after using the band sander. After all the shaping and sanding of the metal, the steel was then inserted into a forge to heat red hot and then quenched in oil to harden the Damascus steel. (I finally got to have the oil flame like in the tv shows thanks to Paulie instructing me how. ) After quenching and allowing to cool the steel was immersed in acid to draw out the underlying pattern. We then had a meal break, and upon return from the meal break was presented with our particular knife and decided if we liked the pattern shown or wished it re-immersed in the acid for further etching. We then spent the reminder of the workshop working on the wooden handle. The wood was selected from the three choices made available and we were instructed on how to drill the holes for the rivets and how to shape using the band sander and sandpaper. The final steps were placing Odies wax on the handle and then sharpening the knife to a razor edge and coating with a thin layer of mineral oil. I would most definitely recommend to anyone interested in creating a beautiful metal knife, to participate in this workshop. My recommendation is that if unfamiliar with using band saws and/or band sanders to take the custom chef knife workshop Craftsman Ave offers to become familiar with the machines. Thank you @craftsmanave for a very...

Attending a date night woodworking class at Craftsman Ave was one of the best decisions we've made. Not only did we walk away with a lovely, handcrafted side table, but we also left with a host of cherished memories.

From the moment we stepped into Craftsman Ave, we were welcomed into a world of creativity and craftsmanship. The woodworking class was brilliantly structured, ensuring it was both engaging and accessible to beginners. Rather than daunting complexities or intimidating tools, this was about immersing ourselves in the craft, having fun, and creating something tangible to remind us of the evening.

A special mention has to go to our instructor, Spenser. Her approachable nature, incredible patience, and in-depth knowledge of the craft truly enriched our experience. Spenser's knack for breaking down the process and guiding us through the use of power tools with the help of templates and "jigs" was simply superb. Her teaching style was inviting and supportive, making even first-time woodworkers like us feel completely at ease.

Under Spenser's watchful eye, we crafted a beautiful side table that we're proud to display in our home. The class was a perfect blend of hands-on experience and expert guidance, striking an ideal balance that made the entire experience exciting yet relaxed.

This woodworking class provided a unique twist to our usual date night and we savored every moment of it. The mix of learning, bonding, and hands-on crafting was perfectly balanced. For anyone considering a fresh spin on date night, or just curious about woodworking, we wholeheartedly recommend Craftsman Ave.

Craftsman Ave, thank you for a memorable evening. We'll undoubtedly be returning to try out more of...

I took a 4-hour Saturday morning Introduction to MIG welding class and I loved it! The class size was small, and so we had tons hands-on practice and loads of interaction with our awesome instructor Gerard, who was knowledgeable, patient, and super friendly. Gerard began the class by giving us an overview of the steps that we would take to fabricate a metal planter. Next, he explained each step and the proper use of each tool as we completed each stage toward our final result. He ensured that students were adhering to safe and proper use of tools throughout, as he offered encouragement and tips to ensure a better result. All told, I couldn't ask for a better experience, and is exactly the entry-point that I needed to start practicing these skills on my own.

Although Craftsman Ave is a good distance from my NJ home, I'm strongly considering taking another class. If they offer the Customize Your Own Motorcycle class again, I will crawl through broken glass to attend. If they open a Montclair, NJ branch of this place, I'm renting the apartment above.

If you haven't grinded down welds while listening to rock cranking in the background, you...