I've been making knives for the last seven years but getting here has been a long journey; Auto Body, Real Estate Broker, Fly Fishing guide, Bamboo Fly Rod builder and now Bladesmith.
The Catskill Forge is my third shop and by far my best most professional. We have all the equipment and tooling you will need to explore your creative calling. Power Hammer, Hydraulic Press, 2x72 Belt Grinder, Milling Machine, Drill press, Welders, 2 Forges and countless hammers and Tongs.
For me this all started as kid working with my Grandfather and then my Uncle in the family business: Auto Body Repair. Watching them shape and restore metal like it was never damaged. To me it was art way before restoration shows became popular TV viewing.
One night after a day of fishing my friends and I we sitting around watching Forged & Fire. I exclaimed, I can do that. I made the same claim after watching a video of Everret Garrison and Hoagie Carmichael making a Bamboo fly rod. Wouldn't you know it ... I could and I did !
I always loved working with my hands but was lovingly persuaded to go to school. I ended up as a Real Estate Broker. I learned that you could create a deal from a few pieces of information. Basically creating something (money) from nothing but an idea. Its kind of the same with bladesmithing. You have raw steel that you force into a blade, fabricate a handle marry them together and create something that everyone needs and uses.
