Bladesmithing

[Ian Marshall]

Hello, my name is Ian. I am 18 and live in Littleton Colorado. I have a huge passion for knives and the art and craftsmanship behind them, I want to get into the career of bladesmithing and think the best way to start would be to get an apprenticeship or some kind of cleaning job at a Custom Knife shop. If anybody knows any Custom Knife makers or bladesmiths in Colorado and can point me in the right direction your help would be much appreciated!

 

[DAMNENG]

Ian
I suggest you locate a copy of Knives 2016 or 2017 at your local library or book store. In the back will be a list of bladesmith/knife makers by state. You can get names, locations and telephone numbers from there and contact those closest to you.
Good luck!
Jim

 

[Lieblad]

I cant answer for anybody else.
But if you dont already, at minimum gain some compentence with basic metalworking & mechanical task.
As you approach a knifeshop looking for ’apprenticeship, It will put you lightyears ahead of the other TV knifeshow enamoured young guy who was there yesterday looking for the same thing.
Good luck.

 

[Ian Marshall]

Ian
I suggest you locate a copy of Knives 2016 or 2017 at your local library or book store. In the back will be a list of bladesmith/knife makers by state. You can get names, locations and telephone numbers from there and contact those closest to you.
Good luck!
Jim

Thank you!

 

[Ian Marshall]

I cant answer for anybody else.
But if you dont already, gain some compentence with basic metalworking.
As you approach a knifeshop looking for ’apprenticeship, It will put you lightyears ahead of the other knife enamoured young guy who was there yesterday looking for the same thing.
Good luck.

Thanks for the feedback!

 

[120 Acres]

Keep an eye out for classes in your area too. Hammer-ins and such. Get involved as much as you can, anywhere you can.

 

[HSC ///]

an apprenticeship is very very hard to find,
knife making is primarily a solo endeavor,
I believe you will have to put in your own time and sweat equity into making some knives on your own for several months and then you can go present them to a knifemaker and see about an apprenticeship

 

[Greenberg Woods]

I would advise looking for a mentor rather than an apprenticeship.

There is a knife maker about 10 minutes away from me, and about once every week or so I go over and we do some forging, grinding and work together. Sometimes we work on his pieces, sometimes mine and sometimes we make a billet of damascus for both of us.

I pay him mainly in materials, as I have a few hundred pounds of interesting steel and a few thousand pounds of REALLY interesting wood, but as long as your help is there, i find most makers are willing to work with you. Just be polite, willing to learn and do what you're asked to without complaining/