Bladesmithing started as a hobby I picked up as a freshman in high school and eventually grew into two small businesses "Double B Blacksmith CO + Pike County Iron & Woodworks" helping support me through college. The craft taught me discipline rooted in patience, precision, and respect for the material. Every blade I made was forged from recycled or reclaimed steel, which introduced an added level of problem-solving—understanding the characteristics and properties of each piece of steel and coming up with creative techniques to overcome limitations and flaws before shaping were fundamental in this craft and is what made each piece a unique piece of funcinal art.
From forging and grinding to heat treatment and finishing, I completed every step of the process myself. Even fabricating my own 2x27 belt sander. I came to appreciate that each step matters and directly impacts the performance of the final product. My approach has always been centered on function, durability, and attention to detail—creating blades that are not only visually clean, but reliable, overbuilt, and ready to perform in demanding conditions.
One project in particular was some great positive feedback reinforcing that mindset. A knife I had made "a Damascus blade forged from chainsaw chain layered with mild steel for added toughness" was lost in a truck stop parking lot. After being run over by multiple semi trucks and trailers, it was eventually found stamped into limestone gravel. The African water buffalo horn handle showed some dents and wear from the impacts, but the blade itself remained intact, without a single chip. Built at 3/16 of an inch thick and designed to be as bomb proof as possible, it performed exactly as I had intended. After a light sanding, refinishing of the handle, and sharpening, it was back in service—carrying with it a story that reflected the purpose it was built for. That blade is the last photo in this gallery.
