Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your knife making?
Stuart: Through the grace and support of my wife, 4 years ago I abandoned my hobbyist status as bladesmith, quit my boring job, and turned professional. I originally studied under ABS master Smith Kevin Harvey with influence from his wife Heather (also an ABS master smith). Mostly it was trial and error. They live far away and only at local knife meetings did I ever get any feedback on my work. I was always there, blades out while other shied away into the crowd and never displayed their work for fear of rejection. Through the multitude of assistance from many knife makers I slowly improved my work and developed my own style. I was always determined to be a forger because the majority of knife makers in SA are Stock removers. Being a fanatical non conformist I dedicated my efforts to the forged blade. I am one of maybe five in the whole of South Africa that are professional Bladesmiths compared to the hundreds of stock removers. Through persistance and hard work I have established myself amongst the knife makers community as a force to reckoned with when it comes to forged blades. Before I knew it I became an authority on the subject and revived SABA (Southern African Bladesmiths Society) and began hosting meetings where knifemakers who were interested could come and learn the art of forging.
What inspired you to start making custom knives?
Stuart: Unlike many others I did not have a passion for knives as a youngster nor did I study and practical subjects like metal or wood working. It sorta fell into my lap when i wasn’t looking. My dad got me course with Kevin Harvey in 2000 and it became a thing I tinkered with on the weekends. I maybe made a knife every three months or so. Slowly I began to make more and eventually I got my first order. Still things were slow. One bad day at work where I was a sales rep, I had a heated argument with my boss. The next few weeks were miserable. I became physically ill with the discomfort I felt. Eventually I said to my wife “I can’t take it any more. I want to quit” She said Ok, Just like that. The spirit of Hephaestus surged within and I under took my crusade to become a bladesmith. I felt the Bladesmith within me rise up. That’s where it all began.
Tell us about your custom knives? Material preferences, styles, etc.
Stuart: I make all kinds of blades, mostly forged, but my specialties are Scandinavian Puukos and Bowie knives. I love the lines and grace of the Puuko. It is a knife that has been refined by a knife culture over a thousand years. And the bowie, well she is like my mistress. I just can’t get enough of those curves. I find the Bowie a passionate blade to make and each one seems to have a personality. I have undertaken a project called “Large Ladies” which consists of knives I have made that are 500mm or longer.Each blade is named after a woman and has that name engraved on the blade. These are very special pieces that I make when I have time and my passion is high. My signature knife is called the “Bear” based on a Finnish design. I have refined the shape and materials used to create a thing of sensual functionality. I put extra care into each knife as it represents the best I have to offer. Materials for the Bear influence the name of each blade. My first was in Black Ivory so it was dubbed “Black bear’. The second was with a red wood and became “Red Bear” and so on. I use triple quenched and tempered 52100 steel exclusively for the blades. This provides exceptional performance quality should the customer wish to use the piece. For my regular knives I use local hardwoods like black Ivory, red ivory, wild olive and many more. I also have access to warthog teeth, and any number of antelope horns. For steel I prefer 52100 bearing steel because it is the toughest I have used for forging but I enjoy O1, 5160, 1070, 1080, Silver steel, EN30B and basically anything with a high enough carbon content that can be hit with a hammer. I also make my own Damascus when the muse descends
What direction do you see your knife making taking you in the future?
Changes to the industry, etc.?
Stuart: I have been procrastinating my entry to the Knifemakers Guild of South Africa for 2 years now. Unfortunately I serve the mighty Rand (SA local currency) and end up selling all my knives rather than saving them for guild entry. I will endeavor to start preparing sooner for next year so that when my chance arrives I will have the knives required to submit for entry. This will be a major notch in my belt because it will expose me as a maker of highest quality and will further my career and a professional Smith. My next goal will be To Join the American Bladesmith Society and in time achieve my Journeyman Smith Status and eventually Master Smith Status. These are my long term goals but i am in no rush. The longer it takes the better I’ll get. I see myself forging until the day I can no longer lift a hammer or hold a blade to the grinder. Then when time takes me and I return to the universe the spirit of Hephaestus will pass on to another worthy soul.
If you’d like to view more of Stuart Smith’s work please visit his website www.forgedknives.co.za
