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Mars Hill, NC · 20 min from Asheville · Beginners Welcome & Encouraged

The
Forgeby Vikings
Don't Cry

Make something beautiful with your own hands — 20 minutes from Asheville. Real steel, real fire, guided by a 7th-generation Appalachian with Viking lineage. You leave with something you made. Something that lasts forever.

Blacksmith Experience · Near Asheville, NC · Beginner Friendly · Ages 14+ · Groups Welcome

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5.0
★★★★★
1,700+ Five-Star
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AS SEEN INOnly In Your State
Companies We've Worked With
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Jeremy Ramsey with the forge fire at Vikings Don't Cry
What People Are Saying
5.0
★★★★★
1,700+ Five-Star Reviews

"Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears; let the weak say, I am strong."

Joel 3:10
Jeremy guiding a guest at The Forge by Vikings Don't Cry
The Experience

This Isn't a Class.
It's a Craft Experience.

"You will stand at a real forge. You will hold real tongs. You will push real steel into 1,800° heat, pull it out glowing orange, and hammer it into something beautiful — something that didn't exist before you walked through the door."

The Forge by Vikings Don't Cry is a hands-on blacksmithing experience in Mars Hill, NC — just 20 minutes north of Asheville in Madison County. Led by Jeremy Ramsey or one of our skilled craftsmen instructors, every session is intimate, immersive, and entirely unlike anything else you'll find in Western North Carolina.

This is making. Real making — with your hands, with fire, with steel that responds to every decision you make. People who've never held a hammer leave holding something they're genuinely proud of. Most describe it as the best experience of their entire Asheville trip.

For everyone 14 and up. First-timers, couples, empty nesters, creatives, travelers — if you've ever wanted to make something with your hands that lasts forever, this is it. No experience needed. Ever.

Sessions: 2.5–3 hrs · Groups 2–8 · Ages 14+ · Up to 12 by arrangement

Step by Step

What Happens When You Arrive

Please arrive 10 minutes early to park, check in, and get settled.

Safety briefing at The Forge
01 — Safety Briefing

Meet Your Smith

Tour the forge, learn the tools, choose what you'll make. Every step explained before the fire starts.

The forge fire at 1800 degrees
02 — Light the Fire

Heat the Steel

Real propane forge at 1,800°F. Watch the steel glow from orange to yellow. Full-contact blacksmithing.

Hammer striking glowing steel on the anvil at The Forge
03 — Hammer It

Shape Your Blade

You pull the hot steel and hammer it on a real anvil. Every strike guided. This is the moment.

Guest proudly holding her finished forged blade
04 — Take It Home

Yours Forever

Cooled and finished. Made by your hands, forged in real fire. Take home what you made.

Choose Your Creation

What Will You Forge?

Your smith walks you through every option at the start of your session. Every piece — real steel, real fire, your hands.

Hand-forged dagger

Dagger

Double-edged, centuries of history. Every curve shaped by your hands from raw steel.

Hand-forged tomahawk axe

Tomahawk Axe

Bold and beautifully balanced. One of the most satisfying pieces to watch take shape at the anvil.

Hand-forged cleaver

Cleaver

Heavy, purposeful, functional art. Forged by you — it earns a permanent place in your kitchen.

Hand-forged drop point knife

Drop Point Knife

A timeless form, made entirely by hand. Something you'll reach for every day and never stop appreciating.

Hand-forged railroad knives

Railroad Knives

Two blades, one fire. Make one each — a matched set that tells the story of the day you made them.

Hand-forged chopper

Chopper

Raw, substantial, built to last generations. A piece that looks as good on the wall as it does in hand.

Optional upgrades to more advanced pieces may be available — ask your smith at check-in.
Jeremy Ramsey, master smith at The Forge by Vikings Don't Cry
The Smith
⚒ 7th Generation · Clan Ramsay · Viking Lineage

Jeremy Ramsey
Didn't Choose the Forge.

The forge chose him.

"When I bought the farm, I told the previous owner to just leave everything that he didn't want — because I knew I would find cool stuff. The coolest thing was a hand-cranked coal forge. Which started it all."

Jeremy Ramsey carries seven generations of Appalachian roots and a lineage tracing back to Scotland's Clan Ramsay — and beyond that, to Rollo, the Norse chieftain who became the first Duke of Normandy. A former fireman of 20 years, he discovered a hand-cranked coal forge and 200-year-old anvil left behind by the previous family on his 60-acre farm. He trained, lit the fire, and never looked back.

For over six years, Jeremy and our skilled craftsmen instructors at The Forge have hosted guests from all 50 states. Over 1,700 five-star reviews. Zero paid advertising. Ever. The mission is unchanged: show up fully for every single person who walks through the door.

Growing up, Jeremy told his children the same thing whenever they struggled or felt like quitting: "You are a Viking. Vikings don't cry." When it came time to name the forge, the name was already there.

Group of guests with their forged blades at Vikings Don't Cry
Groups of up to 15 can be accommodated in some situations — contact us for more info.
Perfect For

The Most Unique Thing
to Do Near Asheville

Whether you're 14 or 84 — a first-timer, a maker, a traveler, a couple looking for something real to do together, or an empty nester ready for an experience that's actually worth talking about — The Forge delivers something that can't be replicated anywhere else in Western NC. No experience needed. Ever.

Empty Nesters & Retirees

Finally — For You

You've earned the kind of experience that stays with you. Stand at a real forge, make something beautiful with your hands, take it home forever. No age limit on creating something extraordinary.

Bachelorette & Bachelor

Party Groups

Asheville's most talked-about group experience. Forge a blade with your crew — you'll have photos and a story no one else does.

Couples

Date Night

Side by side at the anvil, making something together from nothing. It's the kind of shared experience that becomes part of your story.

Celebrations

Birthdays & Milestones

A blade they forged themselves. Perfect for milestone birthdays, anniversaries, or the person who has everything.

Corporate

Team Building

Nothing bonds a team like working toward something real. Groups 2–8, up to 12 available. Contact us for custom arrangements.

Visitors & Locals

Asheville Travelers

Don't leave without doing the one thing nobody else in your office has done — forging a blade in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Madison County.

Before You Arrive

Everything You
Need to Know

  • —
    Arrive Early10 minutes early to park, check in, and get settled.
  • —
    Session Length2–3 hours. Safety walkthrough, forge tour, then choose your creation.
  • —
    Full-Contact BlacksmithingReal tools, real fire. Your hands are on the hammer the whole time.
  • —
    What to WearClosed-toe shoes (required). Long pants. Weather-appropriate shirt. We provide gloves — dress like you mean business.
  • —
    Age RequirementMinimum age 14. Anyone under 18 requires a parent or guardian present to sign a liability waiver. All participants sign before starting.
  • —
    Sign Your WaiverAll participants must complete a waiver before the session. Sign your waiver here → Save time and sign before you arrive.
  • —
    Group Size2–8 guests. Up to 12 can be accommodated — contact us to arrange.
  • —
    PhotographyEncouraged — stay mindful of hot tools. Tag us @vikingsdontcry.
  • —
    Take Home What You MadeCooled, finished, yours to keep.

Common Questions

Will I actually forge it myself?

Yes — entirely. Your hands are on the tongs and hammer. That's the whole point.

Safe for beginners?

Absolutely. Fully beginner-safe from the ground up. The safety briefing is thorough — no experience needed.

Can we book as a group?

Yes. Bachelorette groups, corporate teams, birthday crews all book regularly. 2–8 guests; up to 12 available. Contact us for larger inquiries.

Is this the same as Quiver Full Farm?

Yes! Same experience, same smith, same forge — formerly Quiver Full Farm. Same fire, new name.

What do I take home?

The blade, tomahawk axe, or piece you forged. Made by you. Forged in real fire.

Find Us

20 Minutes From Asheville,
In the Blue Ridge Mountains

📍
Address5406 US-23, Mars Hill, NC 28754
📞
Phone — Tap to Call(828) 779-2176
💬
Text UsSend us a text message
✉️
Emailhaley@vikingsdontcry.com
🚗
From Asheville~20 min north via US-19/23
📸
Follow Us@vikingsdontcry on Instagram & TikTok
How Far Away Are You?

The Forge is Within Easy Reach of the Entire Southeast

Situated in Mars Hill, NC — just north of Asheville in the Blue Ridge Mountains — The Forge draws visitors from across the Southeast and beyond. Here's how far you are:

Right Next Door
Weaverville, NC~10 min
Asheville, NC~20 min
Marshall, NC~15 min
Black Mountain, NC~37 min
Easy Day Trip
Johnson City, TN~45 min
Brevard, NC~1 hr
Lake Lure / Chimney Rock~1 hr
Knoxville, TN~1 hr 40 min
Worth the Drive
Bryson City, NC~1.5 hrs
Boone / Blowing Rock, NC~1.5 hrs
Gatlinburg / Pigeon Forge~2 hrs
Highlands, NC~2 hrs
Greenville, SC~2 hrs
Weekend Trip Territory
Charlotte, NC~2.5 hrs
Chattanooga, TN~2.5 hrs
Columbia, SC~3 hrs
Atlanta, GA~3.5 hrs
Raleigh / Durham, NC~4 hrs

People drive from across the Southeast to forge their own blade. If you're already planning a trip to Asheville, the Blue Ridge Parkway, Gatlinburg, or the Smokies — The Forge is right on the way.

Questions?

We'd Love to Hear From You

Group pricing, special arrangements, corporate events — reach out and we'll make it work.

Or email directly: haley@vikingsdontcry.com

Message sent — we'll be in touch soon!

The Viking Throne at The Forge by Vikings Don't Cry
The Throne

Forge It.
Then Claim Your Seat.

Built by hand from steel, swords, and seven generations of Appalachian grit — The Throne is the most photographed thing at The Forge. After your session, sit in it. You earned it.

Interested in a private forge + photo session? Reach out and we'll make it happen.

⚒ Get In Touch →
Press & Media

We Love Working With
Press & Media

Jill Wagner at The Forge by Vikings Don't Cry
Jill Wagner
Actress & TV Host · Visited The Forge
Chris Chalk at The Forge by Vikings Don't Cry
Chris Chalk
Emmy Award Winning Actor · Visited The Forge
As Seen In
Only In Your State

If you'd like to do a story on us, feature The Forge in your publication, or are an influencer or content creator looking to collaborate — we'd love to hear from you.

See Press & Photos → Email Us
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Common Questions

Everything You Want to Know
About The Forge

What is The Forge by Vikings Don't Cry?

The Forge by Vikings Don't Cry is a hands-on blacksmithing experience located in Mars Hill, NC — 20 minutes north of Asheville in Madison County. You forge your own blade from raw steel using a real propane forge, guided by Jeremy Ramsey, a 7th-generation Appalachian with Viking lineage tracing back to Scotland's Clan Ramsay. No experience needed. Sessions run 2.5 to 3 hours, and you take home the piece you made. Over 1,700 five-star reviews.

How far is The Forge from downtown Asheville?

The Forge is located at 5406 US-23 in Mars Hill, NC — approximately 18 miles and 20 minutes north of downtown Asheville via US-19/23. It sits in Madison County in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina, making it an easy half-day from anywhere in the greater Asheville area.

Is this good for bachelorette and bachelor parties?

Yes — The Forge is one of the most popular bachelorette party and bachelor party activities in the Asheville area. Groups of 2 to 8 book standard sessions, and groups up to 12 can be arranged. It consistently outranks brewery tours and escape rooms in reviews from bachelorette groups — forging a blade you made yourself is a memory (and a photo) that lasts far longer than a wine tasting.

Is blacksmithing safe for beginners?

Completely. The Forge is designed from the ground up for first-timers. Every session opens with a thorough safety briefing and hands-on forge tour before anyone touches hot steel. Jeremy or one of our craftsmen instructors guides every step. In over 1,700 sessions and seven years of operation, the experience has been rated five stars across the board.

What will I actually make?

At the start of your session, you choose your piece: a knife, dagger, tomahawk axe, cleaver, chopper, or railroad knives. Every piece is forged from real steel in a real working forge burning at 1,800°F. You do the work — heating, hammering, shaping — and you take home what you made.

What should I wear?

Closed-toe shoes are required. Long pants are strongly recommended. Wear a shirt you're comfortable getting warm in — you'll be near a working forge at 1,800°F. Gloves are provided. Leave the sandals at the hotel.

Is The Forge the same as Quiver Full Farm?

Yes — The Forge by Vikings Don't Cry was formerly known as Quiver Full Farm. Same forge, same smith, same location in Mars Hill, NC. Only the name changed. If you've heard of Quiver Full Farm on Airbnb, this is it.

How is this different from other Asheville experiences?

Most things to do in Asheville — brewery tours, hiking, restaurant visits, even escape rooms — are things you watch or consume. The Forge is something you make. You stand at a real forge, hold real tongs, swing a real hammer, and produce something that didn't exist before you arrived. Reviewers consistently call it the most unique and memorable experience of their entire Asheville trip — not just one of many good options, but the one that stands apart from all the rest.

Plan Your Trip

The Hidden Towns North of Asheville:
A Complete Insider's Guide

Most visitors head south to Biltmore or west toward the Smokies. The locals go north. Mars Hill, Marshall, Hot Springs, and Burnsville form one of the most underrated corridors in Western North Carolina — and The Forge is the anchor.

Hand-pulled noodles in a 10-seat hole in the wall. Natural hot mineral springs on the Appalachian Trail. A boutique hotel inside a 116-year-old jail. A ski resort becoming a world-class mountain biking destination. The best flat trail in Western NC right off the highway.

Read the Full Guide →
In the Guide
  • ⚒Mars Hill — The Forge, High Ridge Smokehouse, Bailey Mountain, Hatley Pointe
  • ⚒Marshall — Noodle Hole, Old Marshall Jail, French Broad tubing
  • ⚒Hot Springs — Mineral springs, Lovers Leap, Laurel River Trail, Big Pillow Brewing
  • ⚒Burnsville — Town Square, Homeplace Beer Co., Bare Dark Sky Observatory, Mt. Mitchell
  • ⚒Max Patch — 360° Appalachian Trail bald, the most photographed spot in WNC

The Forge by Vikings Don't Cry · Blacksmith Experience Near Asheville, NC · 5406 US-23, Mars Hill, NC 28754 · Madison County, Western North Carolina · ~20 min north of downtown Asheville · Top-rated bachelorette party activity Asheville · Bachelor party Asheville · Corporate team building near Asheville · Unique things to do Asheville NC · Best attractions near Asheville · Date night Asheville · 1,700+ five-star reviews · (828) 779-2176 · haley@vikingsdontcry.com · 45 min from Johnson City TN · 2 hrs from Knoxville TN · 2 hrs from Gatlinburg TN · 2 hrs from Pigeon Forge TN · 2 hrs from Boone NC · 2 hrs from Highlands NC · 2 hrs from Greenville SC · 2.5 hrs from Charlotte NC · 3.5 hrs from Atlanta GA · 4.5 hrs from Nashville TN · 4 hrs from Raleigh NC