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Crooked path forge

Jordan Borstelmann

    I grew up on the Gulf Coast of Florida a wastrel and beach bum for most of my early life.  It was fun.  It wasn't until I moved to Gainesville and met my wife that I realized I had to do something more.  I looked to blacksmithing because I had a pretty solid fascination with all things sharp.  I was always reading while growing up, and I was most often drawn to tales with axes, swords, and danger.  Whether it was fictional accounts of Conan's derring-do or historical depictions of the Battle at Hadrian’s Wall, I read it faster than my parents could supply me with new books.   

   I hammered my first piece of hot steel in 2004, outfitted a shop of my own in 2010, and it’s been my full time passion since 2018. It would take more than a few paragraphs to describe the ups and downs of that journey. The road has been challenging, and rewarding, and full of great people that have helped me along the way.

My time is now split in two directions. One direction is in making new and exciting tools, either by taking on commissions, or selling at a Medieval Faire. The other is by passing on my knowledge to those who wish to learn, through teaching at my home shop, and also across the country.

About My Work

Standing at the anvil, and swinging a hammer is what gives me joy. The challenge, both physical and mental, that is inherent in shaping hot steel is what draws me to this Craft. All my thought is focused, the world falls away. It’s just me, and the iron and my hammer.

This is why my blades don’t always look like other folks, certainly not like modern knives. My goal is to shape the steel at the anvil as much as possible. This is why much of my work has such beautiful textures. Texture left by fire, and hammer, and hand.

My blades, and other tools are meant to endure. I want them to live a life away from my forge, a life that adds more texture to the piece. The tools I make are always designed to be used.

It is my hope that they are beautiful enough to put on display, but their real beauty is in their performance.

Accomplishments and other tootings of my own horn

Shop Foreman Jacob Underhill

Jacob had been apprenticing with me since 2019. He has been making huge strides in his skill set, and deserves recognition. Big thanks to the Judge John Hodgeman Podcast for fake legally forcing me to make this move.

I’ll let him introduce himself in his own words:

What’s up everybody!!! I’m Jacob Underhill and I’m a Bladesmith from Starke Florida. I’ve been Forging for about 6 years now and I am currently working on my journeymans with the American Bladesmithing Society! I specialize in camp knives and modern EDCs but love to make all kinds of sharp and pointy things!! I also love to make swords, hatchets, spears, war hammers and my forging hammers.

Look for Jacob assisting in the teaching of some of my classes, and also teaching some classes at the shop all on his own! If you want to look at some of Jacob’s work check it out here: https://www.underhillsforge.com/

Contact Us

Facebook: Crooked Path Forge

Email:crookedpathforge@gmail.com

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