Warriors Way

Warriors Way is a 501(c)3 Non Profit Recreational therapy that Serves our nations Veterans, First Responders, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Youth.

Warriors Way is operated by a 100% Volunteer staff.

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. 

Warriors Way Grudge Match

3865 S. Dixie Hwy Lima Ohio 45806

Witness the ultimate clash of bladesmiths at the Warriors Way Grudge Match!  Brace yourself for a thrilling knife-making competition like no other, where skill and artistry collide in support of a noble cause. Join us on Nov. 10th,11th, 12th at Warriors Way for an unforgettable showdown of talent and craftsmanship. Every dollar raised during this exhilarating event goes directly to Warriors Way, providing crucial support to warriors and their families. Don't miss your chance to be part of this remarkable experience. Get ready to be blown away by the power of the forge. Together, we forge a brighter future! 

Grudge Match

Grudge Match Countdown

0 Days
9 Hours
59 Minutes
59 Seconds

Partnership in our local community 

Taylor Kia of Lima 

Community Outreach Event coming soon.

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.

suggested Donor Class Price List

Beginner Level class

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.

$150 per person

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.                                            

$200 per person

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)

$350 per person

Class Cancelations/Winter Month Classes

Winter Month Classes: even with the shop being heated, sometimes road conditions may cause classes to be cancelled. Please check the Warriors way Facebook page for any last-minute class cancelations 

Current Class/Event Dates

September 9, 2023

Canister Damascus making Class.

Open 2/3
Chris S.
 Clark 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

Beginners youth Class

Open 1/4
Joseph B.

September 30, 2023

Community Outreach Day: Special event for the Allen County Area

Open to the Public 

October 1, 2023

Donor stock removal "KIT" Kitchen Knife Class with forged in fire Champion Joshua Fisher

Open 6/8
Erin H. +2
m. cappy + 1
Clark S

October 14, 2023

Beginners Knife Class

Full 5/5
Seth F.
Chad E.
Aaron B. +1
Micah L.

October 22, 2023

Beginners Youth Knife Class:

Open 3/5
Gavin B. +2

October 28, 2023

Community Outreach Day

Open to the Public

October 29, 2023

Wounded Warrior Project class:

Closed to the Public

November 10, 2023

Invite Only Hammer Inn: Induction Forge Demonstrations!!

Open to the Public

November 11, 2023

Grudge Match 

Open to The Public

November 12, 2023

Grudge Match Auction

Open to the Public

November 18, 2023

Wounded Warrior Project class:

Closed to Public

November 19, 2023

Combat Outpost Robinson inc.

Private event

November 25, 2023

Community Outreach Day

Open to the Public 

November 26, 2023

Tactical Axe Making Class: Stock Removal Class 

Open 0/8

December 9, 2023

Beginners Knife Class

Open 0/5

December 10, 2023

Beginners Knife Class

Open 0/5

December 11, 2023

Beginners Knife Class

Open 0/5

December 12, 2023

Beginners Knife Class

Open 0/5

December 13, 2023

Beginners Knife Class

Open 0/5

December 14, 2023

Beginners Knife Class

Open 1/5
Lucas S.

December 15, 2023

Beginners Knife Class

Open 0/5

December 16, 2023

Wounded Warrior Project class:

Closed to Public

December 17, 2023

Last Event of 2023: Community Outreach Day: Christmas Theme 

Open To Public

January 5, 2024

Advance Knife Making Class: 3 day.
Conformation email will have class details!

Open 0/5

January 6, 2024

See Above post.

See Above post.

January 7, 2024

See Above post.

See Above post.

January 13, 2024

Advanced Knife Making Class with induction forge. 2 Day

Open 0/2

January 14, 2024

See Above post.

See Above post.

January 20, 2024

Beginners Youth Class

Open 0/5

January 21, 2024

Wounded Warrior Project class:

Closed to Public

January 27, 2024

Community Outreach Day.

Open to the Public

January 28, 2024

Beginners Knife Class

Open 0/5

February 2, 2024

Induction Forge Advanced Knife Making Class: 3 day

Open 0/2

February 3, 2024

See Above post.

See Above post.

February 4, 2024

See Above post.

See Above post.

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

March 9, 2024

Greene County 4H

Private Class

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. All Cancelations will be Posted on Warriors Way Facebook Page!

Message Sent!

Your message has been sent successfully, I hope to respond within 24 hours. You can also contact us through social media, links can be found below!

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.   

Lieutenant Scott Holbrook Hardin County Sheriff's Office

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.

Greg Rothschuh

Address

3865 S. Dixie Hwy
Lima , OH
US

Address

3865 S. Dixie Hwy
Lima , OH, 45806, US

Follow us

Warriors Way

Warriors Way teaches Veterans, First Responders, and their supporters different aspects of recreational Therapy with the goal of providing a sense of accomplishment, physical and mental well-being, and the Knowledge and experience to continue recreational therapy in their own communities.

Warriors Way