Since that time, I have been doing all I can to learn knife design and construction. And it has been a worthwhile adventure, indeed!
My adventure continued in 2004 into the realm of the forged blade. In July of 2004 I was a graduate of the Bill Moran School of Bladesmithing, having taken the Bladesmithing Course offered in conjunction with Texarkana College as part of their continuing education. For those uninformed, it takes place in Washington, Arkansas, and is instructed by members of the American Bladesmith Society who have attained Master Bladesmith rank. I studied for two weeks with Bailey Bradshaw and Bruce Fuller.
Early on in my learning adventure, I had the extreme fortune to meet and become a bothersome "understudy" of world class Damascus and Knifemaker Jerry Rados. Put simply, Jerry has forgotten more about knifemaking than most makers will ever learn. Jerry has taught me many things in the years I have known him, and they can be seen often in the knives I produce. The one lesson that stands above them all is, in his words, "Every knife you make, make it the best you can!"
At "The Blade Show" of 2008, after four years association with the ABS, I submitted five knives to a panel of Master Smith Judges and was granted my "Journeyman Smith" ranking in the American Bladesmith Society.
All knives from my workshop are entirely crafted by myself from beginning concept to the end result, right down to the last hand-stitch in the wet-molded sheath! I am proud to put my name on every knife that comes out of my workshop.
I make all of my knives to be hard-working, everyday, usable knives for the outdoor enthusiast. (But feel free to put them away and pass them down to the next generation just as you received it from me!)
My handle materials range from a wide variety of man-made materials, antler and bone, ivory, to some particularly rare hard woods from around the world. All knives come with a hand-stitched, wet molded sheath, which is waterproofed. Each sheath is wet-molded around the specific knife for which it is intended. Each knife fits in its sheath snuggly! REMEMBER: A KNIFE THAT FITS LOOSELY IN ITS SHEATH IS A DULL KNIFE!!!!
Knives shown on these pages are now in the hands, and on the belts, of their proud owners. This site will change, from time to time, with the addition of new knives as they get completed. Any handle material can be inter-changed with any knife - within reason!
If you would like any pictures sent directly to you, or if you should have any questions, please feel free to contact me at Karl@andersenforge.com.
Again thank you for your interest!
Karl B. Andersen
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