By Molly Snyder Senior Writer Published Jan 14, 2015 at 12:45 PM

Kent Knapp – aka the "Milwaukee Blacksmith" – is expanding his classes and will offer Blacksmith 102 in 2015. The classes will take place at the School Of Iron, located in Knapp's large blacksmithing studio, at 518 E. Erie St.

"This class is for anyone who has taken 101 and is ready to take the next step," says Knapp.

Blacksmith 102 will refresh the the skills acquired in the 101 class, including tapering, scrolling, twisting, bending, hammer and tong control. It will introduce chamfering, fish tail scrolling, turning round stock square, controlled bending around the anvil horn, drill press and riveting.

All students will make and take a hook rack.

"All of the parts will be forged and assembled by the students," says Knapp. "The hook rack will be suitable for keys, coats, kitchen utensils or any other household needs."

Blacksmith 102 starts Saturday, Jan. 31 and will be offered bi-weekly. It will run from noon to 5 p.m. The cost is $150, payable via paypal to shannon@milwaukeeblacksmith.com or people can send an email to request an invoice through a card processor. Lunch is included in the price.

Blacksmith 101 classes are also available. Send a message to the above email for more information.

Knapp created iron work for the George P. Miller Mansion, the Iron Block Building, the Charles Allis Museum, the Soho Building, the Emanuel D. Adler House and others.


Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.

Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.