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 with my life.  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've been seriously smithing since 2010. I started with a two week summer course at the Penland School of Crafts.  Afterwards,  I was apprenticed to Yaw Owusu Shangofemi, a blacksmith of many years, and really learned from him the arts of tending a coal forge.  

    One day my buddy, Danny Lore, asked if I had ever made a knife.  I told him I hadn't, but if he came over we would make one together.  He did, so we did, and now we both make some of the best knives in town.  I have steadily trained myself in bladesmithing, with much help from the Florida Artists Blacksmith Association and from fellow smiths in the area.  

   I try to pass on my knowledge to others keen to learn.  By offering workshops I provide people interested in the Craft a place to learn and play with hot steel, whether they plan on making knives, constructing architectural elements, or crafting sculptures.  

About My Blades

    I strive to make each blade better than the previous.  I love the sound of the hammer on the anvil, and do as much of the work of shaping my blades on the anvil as I can.  This gives my work a unique look and keeps some of the romance of forging blades alive in my head and my heart.  

   When I was old enough to own my own blade, my parents took me to our local Medieval Faire.  I instinctively walked past all the shiny chrome plated swords, the daggers bejeweled with glass gems, and the axes made to look like dragon heads.  There was one tent with only about a dozens blades on display.  The swords and daggers there were a dull grey with a workman-like luster, the pommel was a simple ball, and the handle was wrapped in brown leather.  This was the kind of sword you could actually fight with.  It was real.  

   Those other blades were just pieces of metal shaped like a sword. Even then I knew the difference between a real weapon and a fake.  I've brought that appreciation to my own bladesmithing and blacksmithing.  I've worked hard to understand what goes on when I heat treat my steel.  I stress test to destruction a blade I make once a year.

   I make my knives from start to finish, from raw steel and a block of wood to a finished blade including a leather sheath.  The heart of the process, when a simple chunk of metal really becomes a blade is during the heat treat.  It's a process our ancestors learned hundreds of years ago, and yet we are still learning how to refine it today.  

   Modern techniques involve cryogenic quenching, digital thermocycling, and complex alloyed steels.  For myself I prefer to use methods that have been part of the blacksmith’s trade for generations.  It is decidedly low tech.  It relies on a trained eye and steady hand, but it produces a blade that can chop through two 2x4s and still hold a sharp enough edge to shave with.

   I back up all my work with a lifetime guaranty (my lifetime that is).  If it breaks when you've been using it for its intended purpose, I will fix or replace it at no cost to you.  If you ever need it sharpened I'll do that for free as well, although you'll have to cover the shipping.  If you are local you can always just hand it to me, or I can teach you to sharpen it yourself.  It's pretty easy.

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/

See something you like?  I made all these items my own self, and I can do it again just for you!  Send me an e-mail if you are interested in having some custom work done.  Or you can see what I have available by hitting the button.

Contact Us

Facebook: Crooked Path Forge

Email:crookedpathforge@gmail.com

Please complete the form below