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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 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.

TEACHING

I teach classes regularly at my shop located in Gainesville FL. Almost every weekend there is something fun and exciting going on. Most of the classes I teach at home are beginner friendly. These classes are excellent for those simply looking for a fun experience, as well as folks who need that first step to becoming a blacksmith themselves. This craft is very difficult and can be intimidating! I do my best to to make it easier, everyone is welcome to learn with me, and anyone can be a blacksmith.

For more intensive learning experiences, I also teach week long classes at various craft schools around the country. These longer classes really gives folks a chance to sink their teeth into a project and learn more of the subtlety and nuance of the craft. Take a look for these types of classes at Folk and Craft Schools like, North House Folk School, Peters Valley School of Craft, and Touchstone Center for Craft.

Accompliments

You can find some of my work published in BLADE Magazine

A Falchion type sword I forged is featured in the October 2025 issue, along with 6 other swordmakers entitled the “Test of the Best”

One of my axes is featured in the “Dreams of Damascus” chapter of BLADE magazines 2026 ANNUAL book simply entitled “Knives” which showcases all of the best blades from the previous year.

The same axe, along with instructions on how to forge one, has been featured on the front cover of the Hammers Blow. This is the The Artist-Blacksmith’s Association of North America(ABANA) quarterly Magazine.

The sword I forged named Ancient Heirloom, was featured in Peters Valley School of Crafts exhibition catalogue “Bespoke Blacksmithing”

Teaching and Demonstrations

I demonstrated forging strap hinges at the Southern Blacksmith Association Bi-annual conference in 2023

I showed folks at the Florida Artists Blacksmith Associations Conference in 2023 how to incorporate forged animal heads for daggers and other blades.

I have taught classes at:

North House Folk School,

Peters Valley School of Craft,

Touchstone Center for Craft.

Shadow Mountain Forge

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.

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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