About
At first a Travel name for many years, Ayack became a true identity. And it finally became preeminent in the creative and adventurous side of my life : Sailer and smith, lover of the many ways to work with my hands.
After a youth without grand moves, I came to meet Africa, its eastern part mostly. I was touched, shifted upside down, soul bled... Never was I left undifferent ! For good or bad, I changed. And so did my path in life.
Much later, after many forks and meanders I became acquainted with black smithing in China. I took this home and built on it. Often, interrupted by my sailing and adventurous life abroad, I always was glad to go back to this creative side of my personality.
Woodwork, metal smithing, leather and sail sewing work...
Now based in Villenave d'Ornon right next to Bordeaux, France, I carry on and am trying to further this idea of creating. In this, and since the beginning, I decided that giving new life to old materials was to be central in my work. Living in a society where everything is throwable, it became a point I had to make. Not professional, some might say, I think the aim to repurpose and transform is surely a challenging and interesting one.
Now if you feel like this way of thinking, producing, and consuming resonate in you, and that a knife, a fancy bottle operner, a corkscrew or another custom project needs exploring and developing, then hit me up either by email or on my instagram
Blacksmithing Workshops
An immersive workshop in the shoes of a blacksmith !
Are you attracted to metalworking or/and handmade objects? Come discover "behind the scenes" during a knifesmithing course in my workshop. This introductory workshop, offered over 1 to 3 days depending on the project, is a true immersion in the world of the knifesmith.
I will personally accompany you at each stage to pass on to you the essentials of artisanal forging and/or stock removal. You'll learn how to turn a simple piece of steel into a working blade and design your own knife from the ground up. Open to all, this course requires no prior experience, only curiosity and motivation. It's an authentic, enriching experience, and a great opportunity to discover my approach to making forged knives.
After 10 years as a blacksmith, I find the experience of having someone make their own knife a welcome challenge! Guiding somebody regardless of their abilities is a interesting experience and meeting so many different people coming from different backgrounds and horizons is a welcoming change!
Being part of the Wecandoo Community, I propose 2 different types of standardized workshop there.
The secrets of the forge in your hands right next to Bordeaux. During the course, you will cover all the essential stages of making a knife. We'll start with the forging: you'll learn how to use the anvil, hammer and fire in order to shape red-hot metal. You will then proceed to grinding, to shape and sand the bevels.Then, I will introduce you to the "secrets" of heat treatments: quenching, to give hardness to the steel, and tempering, to provide flexibility. After comes more grinding, more precise to work a cutting edge, then polishing which will reveal the shine of the metal. The last part of the course will be devoted to the creation of the handle, a step which requires precision and a sense of balance between aesthetics and ergonomics. At the end of this practical training, you will leave not only with solid technical foundations, but also with the knife that you have made entirely with your hands.
So, feel free to reach out directly so we can organise a 1 to 3 days custom workshop for you, a friend, or a loved one.
"What a beautiful day! Arriving with a touch of apprehension at Ayak's house, we leave delighted, equipped with a beautiful knife. Not manual for 2 cents, I learned to forge, strike, sand, perfect under the caring expert supervision of Ayak, who adapts to any person and any level. Superb meeting and the day goes by too quickly:) Thank you"
Alexandre
"I had the chance to participate in an introductory knife forging day with Ayack, and it was an unforgettable experience. His kindness immediately builds confidence, creating a warm and friendly atmosphere. Thanks to its clear and patient teaching, each stage of the work becomes accessible, even for a complete beginner. We feel at every moment his immense know-how and his passion for blacksmithing, which he transmits with generosity. Leaving with a knife forged with your own hands is a real source of pride, but beyond the object, it is above all the memory of an enriching, human and inspiring day that remains engraved. A big thank you to Ayack for this exceptional moment!"
Julian
"This day was above all a meeting dedicated to sharing. The adventure began with a simple piece of metal, raw and dull, and gradually transformed into an object that was both precious and deeply personal. Between these two stages, there was the discovery of know-how, a passion... and a man. A rare, intense moment that I won't soon forget. Thank you to my wife for this exceptional gift, and a huge thank you to Ayack for his generosity and all these wonderful exchanges."
Francis
"Great, in addition to having a very beautiful object (really magnificent) to take home, there is above all a real and authentic experience of blacksmithing, both in technique, theory and pedagogy. We do each step ourselves down to the smallest with the support, through gestures and advice, of Ayack. I admit that I am already thinking about repeating the experience once again, to always improve."
Tiofil