What Guests Are Saying

It was a fun and great experience. I am knife and sword collector, and have never been able to do anything like this before. I have always wanted a railroad spike knife, so this made it special and cool. Thank you.

Mike made this experience extremely enjoyable for both my wife and I. He was relatable and made the process understandable. We felt like we had accomplished and learned something. This is a tremendous time if you have any interest at all in blacksmithing.

Mike was great. We made 2 knives from rail spikes and it was a great experience. Highly recommend!

Great experience! Mike is fantastic. Must do!

Highly recommend the experience. Great host and helped elevate my forging skills. Would not hesitate to do it again.

Mike was awesome, great with kids, knowledgeable, lots of cool stories. I would recommend this experience to anyone!!!!!

This was our 13 year old’s favorite part of his vacation! Mike was patient and made it a fun and unique experience. Highly recommend the experience!

Mike was so nice and personable. He really guides you through each step while making sure you're the one actually making the knife.

Fantastic experience. Lots of hard work and Mike's experience makes for a great final product. Would definitely highly recommend and will do again.

Mike was a terrific host and teacher. He is incredibly knowledgeable about his craft and his passion runs deep. He takes his time with clients to ensure they understand the what and why they are doing a task. He helped me make a one of a kind knife. I only wish I could stay longer and spend more time with him. His workshop is well laid out and very clean. It was a pleasure to spend time with him and learn his craft.

What a fun 2-hour learning experience with Mike! I drove 5-1/2 hours to the forge and it was worth it. Remember, Mike was a Forged and Fire semi-finalist, so watch the episode! (Season 5 “Horseman’s Axe”). I had prior beginner-level blacksmithing experience beforehand and it was nice to practice the fundamentals and have a smooth learning curve. Mike was patient and made sure the piece I was working on was made by my own hands and exactly how I wanted it. He’s got a great little setup that was easy to use. Walked away with a useful garment hook that I’ll be gifting to my grandpa for Christmas!

Awesome experience with a great teacher. Would definitely do it again.

The knife making class is a very hands on experience, and you end up with a great custom knife! You briefly use the forge, and mostly grind, file, shape, etc. Wear comfortable shoes and clothes you can get dirty - you are standing on a shop floor all day and will get a little grubby. We were so in to what we were doing that time flew by! About 1 p.m. someone stopped in to ask him a question so we took a break, since we hadnt yet - we had no idea 6 hours already went by! Our session went past 4 p.m. by about a half hour. Mike was a good host, but he did get short with us a couple of times when we did something slightly wrong. We are rookies. Other than that, it was a great day. He was funny, knowledgeable, and told us stories about how he got into this and the show he was on. The property is also lovely, and he has very sweet pets who will visit you. Fyi, there is a bathroom in the shop (only including that because I wondered about it before we arrived).

I booked this for my husband for his birthday gift and he loved it. He works around metal all day, but I loved watching him really enjoy it and doing something "different" that you can't do anywhere else. Even if you don't have any experience with this kind of thing, Mike helps you every step! He's fun and a great personality! The class was more than 4 hours, but we did not care. This is a project you want to take your time on, plus Mike makes sure you leave with an excellent piece!

My father and I had a wonderful time with this experience. Mike is so knowledgeable about his craft and is an very good teacher. He is patient and will step in if you need help with anything. He always has a back up plan in case you make a mistake. There were a couple steps I wasn't completely comfortable with and he was happy to step in. Mike will make sure you go home with a blade you are proud of!

Good job Mike

We purchased this experience as a Christmas gift for our dad. He (we) loved it! Mike was very knowledgeable and did a great job explaining everything to us. We really enjoyed creating a railroad spike knife. It is an experience that we will never forget!!

A great way to spend the afternoon! Mike is a great guy and a patient, hands-on guide to the world of metal forging. Fun activity for couples!

It was our first time forging and I’m not sure we completely knew what to expect. Mike thoroughly explained every part of the process, allowed us to take extra time for the parts that felt not quite right to us yet, and was kind and fun throughout. It was a great time and I can’t recommend this experience enough!

Mike took his time with me and allowed me to improve until the knife was just right. ( not just good enough) The small details really made a difference. I was able to do the work while he coached. It was a great experience, I would like to go back.

Very knowledgeable and very patient. Time was not a concern for Mike ( good & bad ) and he let his students do the actual project rather than take over. Somewhat disorganized but always respectful and courteous.

What an experience! Worth every penny! Mike is a great teacher! I had so much fun & would definitely recommend this to anyone!

The guys absolutely loved this experience. Could not stop thanking me for setting this up for them. The hooks they made were beautiful and they were on his website as soon as they got home checking out all the other experiences offered and items to purchase. Looking forward to making knives next visit! Mike was an amazing host, went above and beyond and is very talented.

Such a unique, hands on experience. Took my 17 and 20 year old sons to make the railroad spike knife. Forge was clean, well equipped. My sons did 99% of the work on their knife and absolutely loved the experience. Adorable little dog and a peaceful, out of the way location. Worth every penny!

This was an amazing experience! Mike made everything feel easy and was great at teaching and storytelling. He was quick to ask us if we liked the way our project looked and show us how to fix it. His property is beautiful, too, and we could tell he was excited to share his time and talent with us. We are already planning to go back!

Had an amazing time! Learned a lot and found a new hobby!

I bought 2 packages for my husband and son for their milestone birthdays and they both thoroughly enjoyed it and would definitely go back.

What you get with class is a truly unique experience. Working one on one with a master knife smith to create a one of a kind knife limited only by your own imagination. Mike will ensure that you leave with a handcrafted knife that you will be proud to show off to your family and friends. My fear coming to the class was that it would be like building a cookie cutter knife kit... I couldn't have been more wrong.

I really enjoyed the knife making class. I was surprised that we got the knife done so quickly. I ended up with a 90 layer damascus chef's knife. It was sharpened at 17° edge and is perfect for meal prep. I brought a knife from home to show Mike. Mike tailored the class to match my expectations. I am not new to bladesmithing but I was new to making damascus. The knife is beautiful and perfectly functional. Thanks Mike for your patients with me. I know I can get distracted and you kept me on course.

It was a unique, empowering experience for my grandsons. Mike adapted the class to meet them at their skill and strength level and still made them feel like they were doing it all!

OMG, everyone who travels to Western Michigan and has an interest in making things should visit Mike's forge shop. This was one of the top highlights of our trip and I hope to come back! You learn various forging techniques and take home a beautiful masterpiece! My 15 year-old nephew and husband very much enjoyed this experience. Thanks Mike!

Amazing experience! We are excited to use our knives for many years to come. We went in with no experience and were able to follow all the steps (note you will be standing all day but can take breaks as needed). Mike is a great instructor; he makes sure you leave with a quality piece you're proud of making. He'll explain what you need to do and guide you so you can do it yourself. The workshop area is clean and organized.

Learning to forge with Mike was an exceptional, one-of-a-kind experience. Mike was friendly, extra hospitable, and very informative as he guided me through forging a coat hook from mild steel. It was no stress, hands-on learning with excellent guidance. I will definitely be returning soon to work on another project. As an aside, Mike's place is great too. My wife sat by his pond alongside his berry fields and really enjoyed herself. If you think you can take the heat of the forge, book an experience with Mike. --Jason

Mike was so knowledgeable and did a great job balancing my lack of knowledge/confidence with my husband’s comfort to make sure we both know what we were doing. The location was great, we loved the personalized experience, and the greeting committee (Brodie) was TOP notch. Thanks again!

I took my 8 year old grandson for the learning how to forge. We had a great time and he loved every minute of it! Mike was very knowledgeable and helpful and very good with teaching his trade! We had a great experience would highly recommend!!

Great experience! Mike is very open and chill, he will make sure you get what you came for and be happy with your end results. I do recommend!

As a Harvest Host member we stayed on the property with our camper while my husband made a beautiful Damascus chef's knife. He thought Mike Bailey was a great teacher and easy to work with. The property is inviting and well maintained. I spent a few hours reading by their pond, lulled by the sound of the waterfall. His dog is darling.

This was an amazing experience, very informational and fun.

I brought my 14 year old here to make a knife for his birthday. the experiences was better than I could have imagined! Mike was such a good teacher and was so helpful and patient with my son while also giving him a good amount of independence! I am now ready to bring back the rest of the family to each do their own projects. Definitely recommend!

We had a great time! If you’re considering booking this experience - do it!

Mike ran the class very well! He was able to answer any question and walked you through the whole process. The facility is top notch and was a great environment for learning the craft. I will definitely be back for his other classes!

Loved the hands on experience. I did 90% of the forging, Mike did 10%. ... the 10% he did was super critical (and welcome).

Mike is excellent at guiding all levels of individuals through the forging process. He is extremely knowledgeable and skilled at demonstration/instruction. I couldn’t have picked a better instructor for my husband and myself!

Such a wonderful experience!! My husband has been really obsessed with makers, especially knife makers and for him to be able to make him own knife from start to finish (sheath included) was a once in a lifetime experience for him! We will tell all of our friends and hope to come back!

Wonderful, unique experience

Mike was amazing in every aspect. He is a patient and thorough host. Making sure that you leave 100% satisfied with your work. He allows you to create while providing guidance when needed. I would definitely return!

This was such a fun and interesting experience. This trio to was a bday gift to my boyfriend and I loved it as much as he did. Mike is a great teacher, was fun, efficient with time, played damn good music while we made our knives. We made some beautiful knives there and have some great memories. A great experience even for a total beginner- well be going back again!!!

I had a great time forging a knife from a railroad spike. Learned a lot from Mike. I would do it again for sure!

A unique and fun experience. You can either enjoy it for a one-off good time or pick up helpful skills for taking up the trade.

My husband and I traveled 3 hours and booked special lodging so we could participate with this experience. Without a doubt WORTH EVERY PENNY! It wasn’t a ‘class’, it was ’one-on-one’ guidance through the basics of forging till we could create our own unique piece of art. Set off in the country, in a picturesque wooden shop sits Leprechaun Lair Forge. I only wish we lived closer because I am sure there are many other lessons Mike could teach us and more amazing creations we could conceive. You start with a hunk of metal and in the end, you have one of a kind, hand crafted art. Thank you so much for welcoming us into your forge, Mike. We will treasure this experience and the time we spent learning from you.

I had a great time working with Mike making the knife and the sheath. Mike is clearly an expert and he led me through the process with patience and clear instructions. At the same time, my wife enjoyed walking through their gardens, sitting by the pond, and picking berries. Even their dog Brodi made us feel welcome.

My son and I had a wonderful time with Mike making a knife out of a railroad spike. He was very efficient with the time and a wonderful teacher and host. I would definitely recommend the experience for anyone wanting to develop their skills.

Making the hook was great fun! Loved that our dog could run around and play too! Mike was a great teacher!

mike was an amazing teacher! i reserved me and my girlfriend a class for the railroad spikes and it went super well. mike was extremely helpful and was amazing at showing us how to get every step just right. 100% recommend taking one of his classes, he was super fun and we will definitely cherish these knives for a long time!!

Mike’s forging experience was incredible. He is a gifted blacksmith and teacher. I was looking for a truly unique experience to kick off a ”Man Maker” year for my son, and forging a knife together was the perfect fit. Mike was generous with his time. He is a fantastic person. “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭27:17‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://proverbs.bible/proverbs-27-17

What a truly breathtaking (literally, the heat was awesome) experience from stoking/working the forge to shaping and finishing the knife. Was completely surprised by the trust and willingness to learn through clear observation and patient leadership. Mike presents the opportunity to become a blacksmith for a brief time and truly feel the heat of the forge. Creating your own knife with your hands is a thrilling and powerful experience. For anyone traveling and exploring this is a must. Mike is trusting, careful, kind, funny and most of all willing to give you the skills to do magic with metal. My recommendation for this experience can go no higher than the highest marks.

This was such a fun afternoon - my husband and I truly enjoyed this unique experience, and definitely recommend this activity!! Mike is very personable, easy-going, and accommodating. We enjoyed chatting with Mike about his other forging projects and experience. He was so patient and provided clear instructions as he walked us through each step and technique while we did the work creating our hooks, making us first-time forgers feel at ease. Thanks Mike!

What fun! Mike was a great teacher. Very patient with a variety of skill levels and intent on making sure we could all walk away with a piece we could be proud of. A very hands-on experience!

Had a great time with Mike learning some basics and making a really cool hook.

Mike gave us a one-of-a-kind experience that we will never forget. Not only did we create a beautiful piece together, but the property and hospitality also far exceeded our expectations. Definite recommend!

My 16 yr old son forged a railroad spike knife with Mike today. It was an amazing experience for him and was very interesting for me to watch. Mike is a wonderful teacher with the uncanny ability to discern the right experience and level of complexity for his patrons. He’s flexible to be super hands on, more hands off, or do give ideas for something with a unique touch. Mike was patient, encouraging and entertaining to work with. I highly recommend this one of a kind experience for anyone!!

Great experience, even for those with no previous experience. Mike was very welcoming, invited my parents to watch while I did the class. I did the learn to forge class and came out with a pretty cool wall hook!! Would go back for other classes. Thank you for a wonderful experience!!

Fabulous day spent with Mike making a knife I will keep forever. Mike takes a great deal of pride in his craftsmanship and he is a great teacher. I was given the surprise of this experience from my wife and it was the best surprise. You will leave your day wanting more and perhaps may even start this as a hobby.

Mike is a great guy who seems to enjoy sharing his blacksmithing skill and passion with others. We enjoyed a low key evening making a small project that was within our ability to be successful. A great family activity for those with older kids.

I received this experience as a gift from my wife for my birthday! I did not know what to expect and I was NOT disappointed!! Mike was a great host and made the experience very enjoyable! I learned so much and creating a blade that i can keep forever was amazing!

My husband and I had a fantastic time with Mike at LLForge! Learn to Forge is definitely an experience we’d recommend.

I gave this experience as a birthday gift for my best friend. I went along to watch but did not participate. We both had a great time! Mike was very personable and informative. He made us both feel very comfortable and we enjoyed talking with him. He was a great teacher, and explained every step as he guided my friend through forging the railroad spike knife and making the sheath. My friend did 90% of the task himself with Mike only stepping in when asked/needed, which was appreciated. The shop was a little out of the way down a dirt road in farm country but it was very nice, shaded so it never got too hot and the lilacs were blooming so it smelled amazing. Everything was very clean, well organized, and comfortable. The process took around 4.5-5 hours which was slightly longer than expected but we didn't even realize how much time had passed until we were leaving. I was cozy in a chair playing with Mike's puppy but my friend was on his feet for much of the time, which was expected. He did get a work out between the forge and hammering with short breaks to sit while the metal was getting hot enough to work with. He said it wasn't bad or uncomfortable though, just a different kind of physical activity than he's used to. In the end, he learned quite a bit and had an awesome keepsake to take home, that he had a great time making. He's planning on trying other experiences Mike offers at a later date, and we've both said we'd like to give experiences to other friends /family as gifts!

We had a great time.

Great experience, learned so much and grateful having someone willing to teach my husband and I about making a knife.

This was awesome. We had such a good time that we will be back

My husband had an amazing time! Mike was kind enough to let me tag a long although I wasn’t making a knife. Mike had great music, a fun personality and the perfect amount of instructions during the entire process!

What an amazing experience. I would HIGHLY suggest Mike and this experience.

Awesome experience making my first actual useful knife. Mike is a hell of a teacher and would 100% do it again. 10/10 highly recommended.

This is an awesome experience ! Really enjoyed the entire process from start to finish… Mike is an exceptional teacher…if you are looking for a fun, different experience, you need to book this!

What a great experience! I took my two teenage boys and got to be involved in doing something with them that not everyone get to do. Mike was a wonderful host. He did a great job describing the steps, demonstrating and made you feel at ease. I will definitely be recommending Mike to other people for this experience.

I didn’t know what I didn’t know!

Looking for a once in a lifetime experience? Try out these workshops in forging with Mike! Complete hands on....You make the project! Life is short....try something new & exciting!

My sister and I recently spent the day with Mike and we both agree… it was one of the coolest experiences we’ve ever had! Mike has a really unique way of instructing that is helpful, but not overbearing. His passion for blades, metal work, and helping others find joy in the process is so abundantly evident and made the experience all the more enjoyable. And the results really speak for themselves. I had no idea I could take part in crafting such a beautiful, useful tool. Both of our knives turned out to be pieces that we will cherish. It was worth every penny and the hours it took to get the finished project. Mike is cool under pressure (like when-your-first blade-shatters-into-a-million-pieces-after-4 1/2-hours-of-work kind of pressure) and he is very accommodating of all ideas and thought processes. The atmosphere was fun and engaging throughout the entire process. If you have a vision you want to see come to fruition, he can probably help you make it happen. And if you know nothing about knives or metalwork… you will by the end of the day! The entire experience was just amazing! Do it! Go have fun!

Mike was great to learn from! My son LOVED this class and wants to do another in the near future. Thank you for making his day, Mike!

Mike has an amazing forge and really knows how to communicate with complete newbies. He made me feel safe and still let me have fun!

Mike was very cool, and it was great spending a couple hours with him learning how to forge my own knife.

Mike was an exceptional host. He was very welcoming, accommodating, and knowledgeable! Would recommend

ON A SCALE OF 1 - 10 IT DESERVED AN 11

My 16-year-old took the create a knife class and had the experience of his life. He thoroughly enjoyed the vibe of the forge, the teaching and the conversation with Mike. Highly recommend this for anyone interested in forging.

Mike is a good dude. Makes it fun.

Great experience at leprechaun lair forge! Mike was extremely knowledgeable. He allowed us to do the work with excellent instructions. Highly recommend!

My husband said this was a experience. Mike is a great guy and he really enjoyed making his railroad spike knife.

Definitely would recommend! My husband had never done a forging experience prior, but had wanted to for years. He had a great time and we were grateful for Mike for working us into his schedule. Well worth the price and the experience is so cool and unique! Thanks for all the knowledge and working with us, Mike!

Mike was super accommodating, we had one in our party who did not show up and had to take a teenager along for the ride. He allowed us to work as a family to make the knife while one was doing the knife the others were making the sheath. Mike is a very laid back and easy going. Would love to take another experience with him.

We had a fantastic experience at Mike’s forge! My 12-year old son took the railroad spike class and Mike was an incredible teacher, modeling and explaining what to do and allowing my son to have an unforgettable hands on experience. Mike was very friendly and had a ton of stories to share, and his sweet dog Brody kept us company. This was a truly awesome experience and my son left with a beautiful hand forged knife and memories that he will have for a lifetime. Thanks Mike, we hope to be back soon!

My husband and I have nothing but good things to say about Mike and our experience with him. He is an excellent teacher. He was patient with us and troubleshot when something wasn't quite right. He made sure we were happy with our knives and with the experience every step of the way. We would highly recommend one of his experiences he offers.

Gave this experience to my husband for his birthday. And I went along to take pictures. What a fun experience! You can walk in knowing absolutely nothing about how to make your own knife and you walk out with a cool looking knife of your own design that you can feel proud of. Would highly recommend if this is something that interests you.

This experience was a blast! I booked it last minute, and Mike was extremely accommodating. He guided me through the entire forging process, yet also gave me room to do almost everything myself. Highly recommend for a fun and unique activity!!

What an experience ! Learned a lot - forged a railroad spike into a knife - never thought was possible. Expect a lot of work & standing on feet for 3-4 hours - worth every minute.

What a fantastic experience! We made railroad spike knives and thanks to Mike they are not only functional but also beautiful. He was amazing- highly skilled and also patient and personable. We'll be back!

When "learn to forge" popped up on my air bnb list of activities during a recent weekend get away trip, I figured I couldn't let this once in a lifetime opportunity go. Mike was a very welcoming host and an excellent teacher in what is a bit of a daunting undertaking for a newbie. He regaled us with stories of his experiences and was very engaging and genuine in learning about us. Safety was always paramount and we all had a good time. Cannot recommend Leperechaun Lair Forge and Mike's teaching enough. Check them out!!

It was great! Our host was friendly, patient, and knowledgeable. Took 4 hours to make a railroad-spike knife and sheath. Small cozy workshop. Bring warm clothing if not in the summer. Bring water and snacks. The experience takes a minimum of 4 hours, but AirBnb doesn't allow it to show that way. Please message host about length of time as some knives take longer.

My son and I made knives together. Mike was so accommodating and made the entire process fun. The finished product was something my son and I will cherish forever. Thanks Mike!!

Amazing experience!

This. Is. Awesome. Step son and I got to spend time learning to forge with Mike. Great day, and Mike is very passionate about his work. Even better - he goes out of his way to make sure your time is enjoyable. Highly recommend this activity when in the area!