Visit with Stuart Branson

daizee

daizee

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Dec 30, 2009
Messages
11,115
Hi All,

I found myself up on Vancouver Island for work again, this time with a couple days to kill. I emailed Stuart out of the blue, and he agree to satiate my curiosity with an evening to come by and talk shop.

It's funny to think that we've been making knives about the same length of time, but what different paths! Holy moly, does he make some incredible stuff. I've never held a sword like one of his before, and it was a real treat. The idea that those huge ingots of W2 become such a beautiful, almost (not quite) delicate, intense weapon is mind-boggling and inspiring. With all the hammering he must do, it's a good thing he lives out at the end of nowhere! :D

We talked materials, process, and inspiration, as you do. A fine evening spent on the far coast.

Thanks, Stuart, and thank you to this community that makes these sort of intersections possible!

(sorry, no pix but I swear it happened. ;))
 
Sounds like a grand time and I'd have loved to have been there...he's one of my favorite 'Smiths. :)
 
his steel holds up under hard use, as well. Stuart's blades have always been some of the most impressive performers I've had the pleasure to swing around. Hoping for a sword one day, but fairly soon, something new and surprising should be coming down the pipe
 
Lorien said:
his steel holds up under hard use, as well. Stuart's blades have always been some of the most impressive performers I've had the pleasure to swing around. Hoping for a sword one day, but fairly soon, something new and surprising should be coming down the pipe
Click to expand...

The big chopper you guys did is what really caught my eye! That's gotta be of my favorite big blades ever seen on here.
 
Awesome - I'd love to meet Stuart one day. Not to mention that I've never even been to the west coast of Canuckland.

But really, lack of pics must be remedied. To that end, one of my all time fave knives, ever. Stuart's take on a Fowler bowie.

orig.jpg
 
If I may be permitted......



Xiphos.... something Stuart was finishing up earlier in 2016. I should have posted it quite some time ago.

I had the pleasure of meeting Stuart at the first Seattle Knife Show. Not only is he an extraordinary blade smith but a great human being also. One of my favorite makers, for sure. Mike
 
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