Yes, blacksmithing would help. Think about it. Until about 100 years ago the large majority of the blades available anywhere in the world were made by smiths. Have you ever watched the Forged in Fire show on TV? Don't you think that what they do looks like blackmithing. The main difference is the blacksmith uses mostly iron, the bladesmith steels. Forging is forging. The skills you need are metalworking, machining, woodworking, welding, sculpting, and like industrial sciences. If you want to make a living at this I highly recommend some business courses.
Two Colorado schools that teach this type of work are Trinidad State and Colorado School of Trades. Admittedly they focus more on gunsmithing, but the skill sets are the same.
Have you looked for schools on the American Bladesmithing association website? The Knifemakers Guild?
Have you looked in the back of a current Knives Annual at who makes knives near you? Have you tried to contact any of those smiths listed?