Charles L Dunlap: Master Craftsman

My Journey in Steel

My fascination with steel began not in a modern workshop, but in the quiet contemplation of older tools, passed down through generations. There was an inherent honesty in their worn handles and sharpened edges, a story whispered through every scratch and patina. This early spark ignited a relentless curiosity: how were these objects made? What alchemy transformed raw metal into something both beautiful and profoundly useful? It wasn't long before I was experimenting, banging away at small pieces of steel, trying to coax life and form into them.

The path to becoming a bladesmith is paved with patience, failure, and countless hours at the forge. I sought out knowledge from every available source – old texts, seasoned blacksmiths, and, most importantly, the endless feedback from the steel itself. Each strike of the hammer taught me something new about its resilience, its temper, its spirit. It was a journey of disciplined practice, refining techniques from ancient Damascus patterns to modern heat treatments, always striving for that elusive balance of strength, sharpness, and comfort.

Today, that journey continues. For me, a knife isn't just a tool; it's a tangible connection to our shared human history of craftsmanship, a partner in creation, and an extension of the hand. My goal with every custom kitchen knife, every hand-forged blade, every bespoke hunting knife, is to create a piece that feels perfect in your hand, performs flawlessly for a lifetime, and tells its own unique story through its character and form.