Warriors Way:
Warriors Way is the only organization of its type in Ohio, Warriors Way is a 501(c)3 that offers free recreational therapy services to Veterans, First Responders, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Youth. We also host donor Classes of the same type to the general public.
Metalworking/Blacksmithing is the current type of recreational therapy that we offer, however we are hoping to add leather working to the 2022 scheduled.
Partnership in our local community
Taylor Kia of Lima
Warriors Way Is Partnering up with Taylor Kia of Lima the entire month of May to help raise awareness and raise funds for Warriors Way. Taylor Kia of Lima will be donation a portion of every car sale for the month of May to Warriors Way. Help support a great fundraising campaign and visit their website or reach out to General Sales manager Tom Endicott at 614-282-2725
New Class Structure:
We have added new Structure to how Warriors Way Free classes are ran, there will be 3 different level of classes. We have made this change to better facilitate a Better learning Experience, This will help to give Alumni a better overall experience and a better Knife for you to take home
Beginners Level Classes:
during this 6 hour one day class you will learn the fundamentals of forging your own custom knife, learning how to shape your profile and forge in your knife bevels. All Knifes WILL have a 550 Cord Handle, This class is a MUST to be able to take intermediate or advanced classes.
Intermediate Level Classes:
During this 14-hour 2-day class you will go more in depth into Blade smithing, you will be making a full tang knife with Micarta of Stabilized wood scales. This Class is a MUST to be able to take the advanced Knife Classes.
Advanced Level Classes:
During this 17-hour 3-day class your will test yourself as a knife maker, putting everything you have learned to make a hidden tang knife. Advanced Knife Classes are the only class where you may make a Damascus Knife (Damascus Billet Classes just Cover how to make a Damascus Billet Not the Knife)
Donor Classes:
Warriors Way Offers Donor Classes to everyone That is not a veteran first responder or under the age of 18. 100% of donations go directly back into Warriors Way Programs. Donations must be made before the start of your scheduled class.
Current Class/Event Dates
May 17, 2023
Taylor Kia of Lima: Donor Class
Closed to the Public
May 21, 2023
Youth birthday class
Closed to public
June 2, 2023
BladeShow ATL 2023
out of the shop
June 11, 2023
WWP: canister Damascus Class
Closed to the Public
June 18, 2023
Wounded Warrior Project Class: stock removal Stainless steel Skinner making class.
Close to the public
July 1, 2023
Special Donor two Day advanced Level Class. Canister Damascus full tang knife Class
Open 1/3
Cory Freedling
July 2, 2023
See Above Post.
See Above Post
July 8, 2023
Special two-Day advanced Level Class. Canister Damascus full tang knife Class
Open 1/3
Chris S.
July 9, 2023
See Above Post
See Above Post
July 15, 2023
two-day intermediate Knife Class with Forged in fire runner up David McConnell
Open 1/5
Cory F.
July 16, 2023
see above post
see above post
July 29, 2023
Wounded Warrior Project class:
closed to the public
July 30, 2023
Wounded Warrior Project class:
Closed to the Public
August 5, 2023
3-part donor class.
Part, 1 forging your low layer Damascus
Closed to the Public
August 12, 2023
Beginners Level Class
Full 5/5
Michelle Mosler
June 8, 2023
Cheesesteak Festival
Philadelphia, PA
August 19, 2023
Intermediate Class Viking Seax knife
0/5
August 20, 2023
See Above Post
See Above Post
August 26, 2023
Wounded Warrior Project class:
Closed to the Public
August 27, 2023
Wounded Warrior Project class:
Closed to the public
September 9, 2023
Canister Damascus making Class.
Open 1/3
Chris S.
September 16, 2023
Two Day Ladder Pattern Damascus making Class.
Open 1/3
Josh R.
September 17, 2023
See Above Post
See Above Post
September 23, 2023
Wounded Warrior Project class:
closed to the public
September 24, 2023
Wounded Warrior Project class:
closed to the public
September 30, 2023
Metal Casting Class.
learn how to cast your own item out of aluminum cans.
Open 0/5
October 28, 2023
Wounded Warrior Project class:
closed to the public
October 29, 2023
Wounded Warrior Project class:
closed to the public
May 24, 2024
Donor: Advanced Knife Making Class with Master Smith Nick Rossi. Hand forged folding knife.
open with acceptations:
5/8
David M
Joshua F.
Ben G.
Brett O.
David B.
May 25, 2024
see above above
See Above
May 26, 2024
see above
See Above
Class Sign up Form
All Classes are First come first serve, you will be emailed if you make the class or not. All Classes are subject to change, if classes are rescheduled you will be notified VIA Email.
Warriors Way Fundraiser
Events Section
Below is dates of all of Warriors Way Fundraising Events
Annual Hammer Thon:
March 18th&19th
The Hammer Thon is our first major fundraiser of the year, this Fundraiser sets the pace for the entire year. Sponsor fund help purchase steel, belts, propane and everything else Warriors Way uses during its classes.
Hammer Thon 2023: will be different than any other year, this year during day one competitors will be doing a mystery barrel Challange. Smiths will choose their steel at random from a barrel and then forge this into a blade in their favorite style.
Testimonials
What the heros we serve write about us
if you would like to add a testimonial send us an email and we will add it to this section.
I had the honor of attending a class at Warriors Way with fellow law Enforcement officers. The time spent learning a new skill and fellowship with people with the shared experiences was amazing. I can not recommend Warriors Way enough. Mr Bates, a Army Veteran, has accepted the important mission of being a lighthouse for those in crisis as well as teaching that want forging experience. Warriors Way and Mr. Bates definitely receives 5 stars.
I took a basic knife making class on January 15th. I have zero forging experience and half expected to come home with a hammered on piece of metal. With the help of the instructors I actually made a half decent skinning knife. They were very helpful and informative. The shop was very nice and well equipped. I will definitely be back for more classes.