(Prerequisite any one Cuesta Blacksmithing class – letter opener class recommended)

The Fredrich's Cross Letter Opener class will have students produce a stylish letter opener with a swept crossguard and a pierced ricasso. Students will work with a prepared piece of stock to shape a blade and grip, and to round and position a pair of quillons  to protect the knuckles and hand. The class expects students to have some blacksmithing skill, and is recommended for students who have completed the letter opener class.

Students must wear fire-safe clothing (cotton, wool, or leather; no synthetics), closed-toe shoes (no synthetic uppers), and should dress for an open classroom. Long pants and short sleeves recommended. 

Water will be provided.


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DATE: 1 Sunday. November 22, 2026.

TIMES: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

FEE: $175

LOCATION: San Luis Obispo campus 75 acres

INSTRUCTOR: Leif Bennett

QUESTIONS: Contact the instructor at leif@creativebennetts.com

Class Schedule – Please Note:
Our class schedules may be subject to change. You can view the most current class status anytime on the Community Programs website. To stay up to date after registering, please monitor your email, as any changes will be sent to the email address we have on file.

Meet the instructor

Leif Bennett

Leif Bennett has been blacksmithing and metalworking since 1993.  He has taken a wide variety of blacksmithing courses and has been teaching blacksmithing for more than a decade at Adam’s Forge in Los Angeles. He has a B.S. in applied physics from the California Institute of Technology and currently holds Level 1 and Instructor certificates issued by the California Blacksmith Association.