Bladesmith's Apprentice Podcast

One of my favorite interviews, today we cover sharpening. From principles to natural water stones to fixing chips and broken tips, we also go especially deep into the philosophy of learning. Peter's passion for sharpening is all but unmatched, and I hope you enjoy this one and learn as much as I did. Peter's website: http://www.halifaxknifesharpening.com/ Peter's free online sharpening course: http://www.knifeplanet.net/knife-sharpening-school-online-course/ Peter recommends Naniwa and Shapton brand stones, but if you're really looking to get the best stuff for the best price, check out his website and blog for further reading. If you're looking for revitalized passion, this episode is it!

This week's interview is with Walter Sorrells, a masterful bladesmith famous for his YouTube videos. Today we discuss his history in bladesmithing, along with writing, martial arts, Japanese blades, his YouTube career, Forged in Fire, Tactix Armory, and much more. You can find Walter's content here: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/slappybuckshot Walter Sorrells Blades: http://waltersorrellsblades.com/ Tactix Armory: https://www.tactixarmory.com/ Walter also competed on Forged in Fire: Season 3 Episode 14. Note: Since recording this interview I bought Walter's DVDs on Hamons and Sword Polishing, both excellent resources that have helped a ton. Straightforward, to the point, and they address any questions one can have. You can find his DVDs on Japanese style Sword making here: http://waltersorrellsblades.com/videos/

Abe Shaw is the owner of Eating Tools, where he is a curator and dealer in some of the best in artisan's eating tools, from Titanium chopsticks to hand forged chefs knives. Today we cover the start of the business, the intricacies of eating tools, processes wherein he collaborates with the craftsmen, and a good bit of eating tools philosophy! You can find his website at https://www.eatingtools.com/

Combat Abrasives is a manufacturer of sanding belts, polishing compounds, and abrasive specialties. Today we go through a quick overview of the products they offer, some of the science behind abrasives and the behind the scenes of their manufacturing. I don't get my abrasives from anyone else! Combat Abrasives Website: https://www.combatabrasives.com/

A solo rundown on the basic tools to begin bladesmithing. Bladesmithing has been done with great result for millennia, and as such, high end equipment is not necessary. This should be helpful specifically for those just starting out.

Jared Thatcher of Boothill Blades, a kitchen knifemaker, is a relatively recent addition to the knifemaking world. He started making knives in 2013 and quickly advanced to full-time knifemaker supporting his wife and three daughters in January of 2016. Jared is an example of commitment, learning, and especially of business, which is largely the focus of this interview. You can see his work at http://www.boothillblades.com/

Cris Anderson of Scorpion Knives is a bladesmith who specializes in kitchen cutlery, a category of knives that requires extremely well refined edge geometry and heat treat. In this episode we discuss a wide variety of topics including heat treating, hamons, marketing and business, and much more. You can see his work on his website: http://www.cjaedgedart.com/

Liam Hoffman is a 19-year old bladesmith who specializes in axes. In this episode we discuss what else- axes, what's important and what differs between a good one and a bad one, but we also delve into marketing and business, along with the subject of fitness: when you forge so much, and every day, muscle imbalance becomes a serious issue. You can see his work at http://www.hoffmanblacksmithing.com/#about

Chris Costa is a bladesmith who's always focused on getting better; every piece seems to be an improvement on the last. Today we discuss knife shows, improvement, guard fitting, pattern welding, guard fitting, a recent hydraulic press build of Christopher's, and working with a customer on custom projects. You can see his work on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/costaknives/ And at his website: http://www.costaknives.com/home#i-became-me

An appropriate name for a worker in hot steel, Robert Burns is the owner of Wilderness Ironworks http://www.wildernessironworks.org/ . He is a master craftsman, always pushing himself to be better. We talk about his starting, tips on forge welding for beginners, two of his knives: the Van Helsing bowie http://www.bladesmithsforum.com/index.php?showtopic=32591&hl=%2Bvan+%2Bhelsing and the La Brea bowie, which he posted in a complete work-in-progress thread here: http://www.bladesmithsforum.com/index.php?showtopic=32843 Finally, we talk about learning from a mentor; what a master is looking for in an apprenticeship.

For the first episode of the Bladesmith Apprentice I interview a good friend of mine, Jacob Gatliff. Jake is a highschool Junior who's been bladesmithing for more than four years, advancing his skills and forging blades designed for practical use. We talk about his beginning in bladesmithing, the materials and sources, how he's learned, his favorite tools, and general knife talk. You can see his work on Instagram