UR 149: The Making Of A Sword — David DelaGardelle

Traylor is joined by artist and craftsman David DelaGardelle of Cedarlore Forge to discuss the journey to becoming a full time craftsman, God fulfilling dreams, marriage, and sword making. David takes us through the journey of starting sword making as a hobby in high school to now doing this full time. He reflects back on how God provided him with everything he wanted and dreamed and that made him realize these physical and earthly things do not fulfill you. He walks us through the struggle of seeking perfection and success in your chosen work. David and Tray discuss the heart of men and how deep rooted you seek validation. David is 29 years old and is married to his wife Hannah. David and Hannah live in Indiana with their 8 month old son, Boaz. Cedarlore Forge is the sole work of artist and craftsman David DelaGardelle. David crafts mythopoetically and historically inspired one-of-a-kind fully functional swords and fine art. Cedarlore Forge is David's serious artistic exploration of the Northern European mythopoetic tradition, in the form of uniquely hand forged swords and artwork. He attempts to embody the ideology that Professor J.R.R. Tolkien spoke of in his poem "Mythopoeia" when he wrote of the creation of art as a transcendent truth that can glorify and praise our own Creator. David crafts each piece with meaning and purpose, a mythic story to tell, and a truth to be known. He works with the raw materials as closely as they would have been used thousands of years ago by historical swordsmiths. Also, he is inspired by both the classical and legendary works of old writers and folktales. The natural environments of his childhood shaped his imagination into the craftsman he is today.