Virginia is full of knifemakers and smiths.
Fill out your profile so people know a bit about you. Age, location, occupation, hobbies, etc. One is likely within 15 minutes of your home.
There is a good show in Harrisonburg every April ( and several others during the year). The Shenandoah Custom Knife Collectors Club is good, and knows every maker in the state. They could help you a lot.
There are shows throughout the state during the year, many at Richmond.
There is a knife club in Richmond that is very active. Greater Richmond Custom Knife Collectors Club, or something like that. Phil Sheridan was the president
Next years show :
http://www.svkc.org/annual_showhttp://www.svkc.org/annual_show
Click the participants list and you will see a lot of folks around you.
Just above you is the Bladesmith Guild of Central Maryland:
http://www.bgcmonline.org/
They are also a bladesmithing organization. Many live in your area, and their meetings and events are well worth an hour or two drive. They have their own shop where they teach smithing.
This is the Bladeforums custom search engine:
https://cse.google.com/cse/home?cx=011197018607028182644:qfobr3dlcra
Type in things like "Virginia Knifemakers:, and it will give you lots to read.
