Are there any blademakers in Chicago?

redsquid2

redsquid2

Free-Range Cheese Baby
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Aug 31, 2011
Messages
3,116
I googled as best I know how to google, but I can't seem to find any bladesmiths in Chicago. That's where I live, and I want to know what is available locally. The blade I got from Idaho is nice, but there has to be somebody within driving distance.

I often take trips into west central and northwest Michigan, via Holland and Grand Rapids, into the Cadillac/Baldwin area.

Bloomington, Indiana perhaps?

Anybody know of a bladesmith in these areas?

Thanks,

squiddy
 
I can't personally attest to his work, but Karl Anderson (Andersen?, I forget) is in Illinois, between Champaign and Chicago.
 
Hi redsquid -

John Kiedaisch, JK Handmade Knives lives and works in Mokena, and he has a forum and quite a following here on BF -

Here is a link to John's forum -

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/830-JK-Handmade-Knives

We often have "gatherings" either at his house, or at one of his customers house, or at a campsite somewhere.

http://www.iammoon.com/albums/JK Gathering 08272011/

http://www.iammoon.com/albums/JK Knives The Gathering 092510/

http://www.iammoon.com/albums/JK SKills Gathering McKinley Woods 11202010/

http://www.iammoon.com/albums/JK Gathering 05152010/

We never have any fun at those gatherings..... :D

We are planning a overnight gathering to play with knives, make fires, and generally have a good time. We are going to the Waterloo Recreation Area in south-east Michigan and we have a rustic cabin and campsite for the evening.

That gathering is coming up the third weekend of October, and you are welcome to join us and see many JK knives there -

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/878150-October-MI-Gathering


best regards -

mqqn
 
Karl B. Andersen said:
If I can help you any - just get hold of me.
Tomorrow - Saturday - I'll be here all day:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/879228-7th-Annual-Fox-River-Knife-Rendezvous
Click to expand...

I am thinking that I would like to do some easy projects in the near future, like taking finished full-tang blades and creating handles and sheathes for them. However, I would like to finish the project I am currently working on, before I buy my next blade.

Nice to know you are there. My philosophy is to buy things as local as possible.

I will have a look at some of your work, if you have pictures online.

squiddy
 
Squiddy, you need to get over to that Rendezvous / Hammer-in today.

It's in your backyard. Good times with good folks!
 
hum. Interesting.
 
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