Bionic Cat Blacksmith | Bespoke Ironwork & Experience Days Elland, West Yorkshire

Who I work with

One forge, three ways to work with me

Whether it is a bespoke gate for your family home in West Yorkshire, commercial signage for your business, or an immersive day at the forge, you deal directly with Leon from the first phone call to the final installation. No sales team—just traditional craft and dedicated service.

Private clients

For homes and country estates

Entrance gates, balustrades, garden arbours, and interior metalwork, designed around the architecture of your house in Elland, Halifax, Huddersfield, or Leeds. As I like to say, never settle for off the shelf.

I visit your property across West Yorkshire for a personal consultation
Detailed scale drawings and metal samples approved before forging begins
Sympathetic restoration work on listed, heritage, and period homes
See gates and railings portfolio

Corporate & commercial

Attention-grabbing signage and sculpture

Statement signs, sculpture, and custom architectural pieces for hotels, restaurants, offices, venues, and healthcare providers made to exact specifications across West Yorkshire and Lancashire.

Detailed quotations, scaled drawings, and method statements
Full coordination with architects, interior designers, and contractors
Repeatable forged fittings supplied in volume
See commercial signage and sculpture
Commercial blacksmith services in West Yorkshire

Experience days & team building

Hands-on forging for individuals & groups

Forge your own carbon steel knife or decorative ironwork guided by Leon. Ideal for individuals, couples, birthday celebrations, anniversaries, and corporate team-building days in Yorkshire.

Knifemaking and blacksmithing, from 2-hour taster sessions to 2-day courses
Suitable for beginners aged 11+, couples, families, and business teams
All tools, safety gear, and 1-on-1 instruction provided
Personalised digital gift certificates valid for 2 full years
See experience prices, from £90
See photos from recent forge experience days

In-forge experiences · Elland, West Yorkshire

Blacksmithing & knife making experience days

Choose a blacksmithing or bladesmithing experience at my forge in Elland, serving Halifax, Huddersfield, and Leeds. Personalised gift certificates are available for every course.

★ Rated 5.0 on Google from 10 reviews and 4.9 on Etsy from 40 · read customer reviews · check free forge dates

Book together and save: 2 people 10% off, 3 people 20% off, 4 people 30% off.

Join hundreds of satisfied customers who have left my forge with memories and mementos to last a lifetime. Whatever you want to make, I will find a way to help you make it.
Timings are approximate. It is always more important to me that clients leave with a piece they are happy with, even if it takes a little longer than booked.

Blacksmithing Courses

Forge Fundamentals

£902 hours

A taster and a perfect first experience. Come and create a small item, something decorative or useful.

Hammer & Heat

£145Half day · 4 hours

Forge your own art. Turn raw metal into something special, either a few small pieces or a medium-sized standout piece.

Forge Mastery

£2608 hours

Get hands-on with carbon steel and learn challenging techniques to craft your own decorative or practical masterpiece.

Bladesmithing & Knifemaking

Blade Basics

£1604 hours

Choose a pre-treated blank blade with a handle, or hand forge a basic blade. Grind, shape and polish your creation in a hands-on introduction to knifemaking.

Sharper Skills

£2808 hours

Forge your own blade, then cut, heat treat, grind, shape and polish it. Choose a modern or traditional handle and refine the design in a fully immersive day.

Damascus Dreams – Blade Mastery

£4602 full days

Create your own masterpiece in stunning Damascus steel. Choose a handle from stabilised wood or high-grade acrylic Kirinite, then shape, refine and craft your perfect blade.

Gift certificates & custom packages

Book, buy a gift certificate, or just ask Leon

Personalised gift certificates are available for any experience. Have something more specific in mind, such as a team day or a celebration? Get in touch with me and I will put a custom package together.

WhatsApp me Facebook Messenger Call 07593 325089

Lesson availability

When I’m free at the forge in Elland

I teach Wednesday to Friday and every other weekend. Anything marked busy is either booked or a day I’m not at the forge, and every other day is worth asking about. Message me with the date you’d like and I’ll get back to you to confirm.

The calendar is provided by Google, so it only loads when you press the button. It shows busy times only, never who has booked.

Ask about a date on WhatsApp Send an enquiry Call 07593 325089

Before you book

What to expect & frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know before your visit to my forge in Elland, West Yorkshire.

Who can take part

Anyone aged 11 and over. Complete beginners are welcome.

What to wear

Natural fibres such as cotton or wool, and sensible footwear.

What is provided

All tools, protective equipment and instruction, with tea and coffee always available.

One to one teaching

Taught one to one, unless you book as a group.

Parking and location

Parking just over the road, at Bridge End Works, Saddleworth Road, Elland.

Insured and flexible

Fully covered by public liability insurance. Reschedule with 24 hours' notice.

Can complete beginners book a blacksmithing experience day?

Yes. Complete beginners are very welcome, and no experience is needed. I teach one to one, at your own pace, and provide all tools, protective equipment and instruction. Experience days are for anyone aged 11 and over.

Do you design, make and install gates and railings yourself?

Yes. Every piece is designed with you, forged by me at my forge in Elland, and delivered and fitted by me. I carry out installations and site work across West Yorkshire and Lancashire. Site visits are by appointment.

What areas do you serve in West Yorkshire?

Our workshop is located in Elland (HX5 0RY), and we regularly serve private and commercial clients in Halifax, Huddersfield, Brighouse, Bradford, Dewsbury, Wakefield, and Leeds, as well as wider West Yorkshire and Lancashire.

How old do I need to be?

The minimum age for my experience days is 11 years old.

What should I wear?

Please wear natural fibres, such as cotton or wool, and sensible footwear. I provide all tools, protective equipment and instruction.

Will I be taught alone or in a group?

I teach one to one, unless you book as a group. Couples, families, friends and business teams can be booked together.

Are drinks provided?

Yes. Tea and coffee are always available at the forge.

Can I reschedule my booking?

Yes. Bookings can be rescheduled with 24 hours' notice. Just call, WhatsApp or message me.

Where do I park?

There is parking just over the road from the workshop at Bridge End Works, 7a Unit 3, Saddleworth Road, Elland HX5 0RY.

Are you insured?

Yes. I hold public liability insurance (PLI).

How do gift certificates work?

Choose an experience and the number of people, enter who it is for and who it is from, then pay securely by card, Apple Pay, Google Pay or PayPal. The certificate appears on screen straight away and is emailed to you with a unique certificate number. The recipient then contacts us to book, quoting that number. Gift certificates are valid for 2 years from the date of purchase, and can be renewed in extenuating circumstances. Two people save 10 percent, three save 20 percent and four save 30 percent.

How long is a gift certificate valid for?

Gift certificates are valid for 2 years from the date of purchase, and can be renewed in extenuating circumstances. Just get in touch if your circumstances change.

Can you arrange a team building day or a custom package?

Yes. Tell me what you have in mind, how many people and your preferred dates, and I will put a custom package together. Call 07593 325089, WhatsApp me or use the enquiry form.

Do you take on private and commercial commissions?

Yes. I design and forge bespoke gates, railings, staircases, signage and sculpture for homes, estates and businesses. I make everything at my forge in Elland, West Yorkshire, and carry out installations and site work across West Yorkshire and Lancashire. Get in touch to arrange a consultation.

Services

What I make

Each piece is individually drawn for its setting. Nothing is taken from a catalogue.

Entrances

Gates & estate entrances

Pedestrian and carriage gates, piers and railings, hung to open smoothly and designed to suit the approach to your house across West Yorkshire.

Interiors

Staircases & balustrades

Hand-forged stair rails, balconies and Juliet balconies, from slender and modern to richly scrolled architectural pieces.

Gardens

Arbours, obelisks & planters

Garden structures in forged iron that weather with grace and give a planting scheme a lasting framework.

Hearth & home

Fireplace & interior metalwork

Fire screens, baskets, dogs and tools, along with light fittings, curtain poles, door furniture and custom hardware.

Architectural

Attention-grabbing signage & sculpture

Bespoke commercial signs, repoussé and forged sculpture, plus screens and canopies, for reception areas and commercial interiors.

Local trade

Welding & repair

Local welding and repair work for industrial, commercial, domestic and heritage clients in Elland, Calderdale, and West Yorkshire. Send me a photo and I will tell you what can be done. Welding and repair services in Calderdale

Heritage

Restoration & repair

Careful repair of historic ironwork, including re-forging missing sections to match the original heritage metalwork.

Selected commissions

Recent work

A small selection of completed projects. Further references and a full portfolio are available on request.

Hand-forged hanging commercial sign with a patinated green roundel on a twisted iron bracket

Hanging sign

Work: Forged bracket with patinated roundel
Use: Commercial signage

Ornate interior hand-forged iron gate with scrolled and figurative detail

Ornamental gate

Work: Hand-forged interior gate
Finish: Painted and highlighted

Black hand-forged steel handrail mounted beside outdoor stone steps

Stone steps handrail

Work: Forged handrail to external steps
Finish: Black

See the full gallery

My Etsy shop

Little pieces from the forge, delivered to your door

Between big commissions, I forge smaller pieces for my Etsy shop: custom wands, door handles, coat hooks, and display stands. Rated 4.9 from 40 reviews. Never settle for off the shelf: if you want something custom made, just ask me.

a hand-forged twisted iron wand on a slice of oak

Forged wandsHand-twisted, one off wands. A gift for any wizard.Shop on Etsy

a hand-forged claw holding a crystal ball

Crystal ball standsA forged claw to hold a crystal ball or scrying orb.Shop on Etsy

a hand-forged twisted steel door handle on a backplate

Door handlesTwisted steel handles, made to last for generations.Shop on Etsy

Dice hooks and handlesCabinet handles and coat hooks forged from stacked dice.Shop on Etsy

Best sellers

Hand-forged dragon claw door handle in solid steel

Dragon claw door handlesHand forged in solid steel, twisted and folded to look like dragon scales. Blackened, brushed steel or brass finish. From £72.His work is art.William, Etsy, December 2025View on Etsy

Hand-forged classical hanging basket bracket

Hanging basket bracketsHand-forged steel wall brackets, 12 inches high and rated to hold up to 50kg. Other sizes made on request. £144.View on Etsy

Industrial steel rebar knotted door handle, hand forged

Rebar knotted door handlesIndustrial rebar, hand forged into a knot. Fits standard doors, in brushed, blackened or painted finishes. From £84.View on Etsy

Customer favourites

Cymbal anvilFor tuning, modifying and making unique cymbals.The anvil is perfect and beautifully shaped - fantasticNorbert, Etsy, September 2026View on Etsy Wand, sword and knife display standA hand forged steel stand with a patterned finish, to show off your favourite piece.Beautiful item and craftsmanship is awesome.Shaik, Etsy, September 2025View on Etsy

Visit my Etsy shop Ask me for a custom piece

Videos

Watch me at the forge in Elland

Video thumbnail: Why you, and your kids, should be in the forge — Why you, and your kids, should be in the forge

Video thumbnail: First time at the forge: learning blacksmithing in Elland — First time at the forge: learning blacksmithing in Elland

Video thumbnail: Blacksmithing experience day: what to expect at the forge — Blacksmithing experience day: what to expect at the forge

Video thumbnail: Taught one to one: blacksmithing experience days — Taught one to one: blacksmithing experience days

Video thumbnail: Hand-forged blades: knife making in West Yorkshire — Hand-forged blades: knife making in West Yorkshire

Video thumbnail: Forging hot steel by hand: the sound of the forge — Forging hot steel by hand: the sound of the forge

Video thumbnail: Forge Work 1 — Forge Work 1

Video thumbnail: Forge Work 2 — Forge Work 2

From the forge

Knives, railings and gates, signage, and the people who make their own with me.

Kind words

From my customers

Rated 5.0 on Google from 10 reviews, and 4.9 on Etsy from 40. Here is a small selection.

“Excellent experience with Leon, ended up making 2 awesome blades from scratch.”

Abi A.Knifemaking day · Google

“Leon is knowledgeable, patient, and makes the whole day enjoyable.”

Ben L.Blacksmithing courses · Google

“great vibes and came home with a cool new knife”

Morgan R.Couples class · Google, August 2024

“the anvil is perfect and beautifully shaped - fantastic”

NorbertCymbal anvil · Etsy, September 2026

“Beautiful item and craftsmanship is awesome.”

ShaikDisplay stand · Etsy, September 2025

“His work is art.”

WilliamDragon claw handles · Etsy, December 2025

Been to the forge? Your review helps other people find me. I'm a small family business, and every one means a great deal.

Leave a Google review Read my Google reviews

Materials & finishes

The choice is yours to make

I advise on what suits the setting, the budget and the years ahead, and show samples before anything is made.

Metals

Forged mild steel: Strong, versatile and the standard for gates, rails and architectural structures.
Reclaimed wrought iron: With a fibrous grain and a character that new steel cannot match. Ideal for matching period and listed property work.
Brass & bronze accents: Handrails, finials and bespoke fittings that warm with handling.

Finishes

Hot-dip galvanising: Long-term weather protection for entrance gates and outdoor ironwork structures.
Hand-applied wax or oil: A soft, natural finish for interior architectural metalwork that deepens over time.
Painted & brass burnished: Traditional hand-finished colours, with burnished brass detail on request.

How I work

From first conversation to final fitting

Consultation
I meet you at your property or commercial site across West Yorkshire to understand the setting, the brief and the budget, and to take precise measurements.
Design & drawings
You receive scaled drawings and finish samples, with a fixed quotation and programme.
Approval
Nothing is cut until the design is signed off. Revisions are made at this stage, not mid-way.
Forging
Each element is heated and shaped by hand at the anvil, then assembled and finished in my workshop in Elland. Progress photographs are sent along the way.
Installation
The work is delivered and fitted by me, with minimal disruption to your home or commercial premises.
Aftercare
Every client receives care guidance, and I remain on hand for adjustments and future maintenance.

My story

Hello, I'm Leon

I fell into blacksmithing completely by accident. I tried it for fun, found out quite how hard it is, and decided I had to learn it properly. If I was going to learn it, I thought, I might as well make a business out of it, because I needed something good to do. That was the start of Bionic Cat Blacksmith, in 2015.

Before the forge I spent ten years in care work, from one to one support to elderly mental health settings, with a lot of work alongside people with neurodivergence through Mencap. It taught me patience and how to adapt things so that everybody, whatever their ability, can get stuck in. I teach the same way now, and plenty of folk arrive a bit wary of the fire and the tools. By the end they are in charge of both, at their own pace.

It is a family business, but it is very much me at the anvil. Sarah, my partner, is the brains of the operation and keeps the whole thing running. I make every piece myself and I take on a limited number of commissions at a time, so each client gets the attention it deserves.

My proudest moments are always the same: someone, especially a child, gets that sudden light in their eyes when they realise they can do this with their own hands, and they find a bit of inner strength you do not get to see often enough nowadays. Whatever your age or skill, everybody has left my forge with a smile on their face.

Leon Williamson
Bionic Cat Blacksmith, Elland, West Yorkshire

You never know what you can do until you try it, and I guarantee you will be amazed.

Leon

Keep in touch

Hear about new dates first

Now and then I send a short email with new lesson dates, what’s been coming off the anvil and the odd offer before Christmas. No spam, and you can unsubscribe whenever you like.

Ironwork of lasting distinction