Three American customized knife makers it’s best to know. Cast doesn’t essentially imply cast like a blacksmith would create one thing. Cast by American palms is a time period for creating issues, often instruments, with one’s palms. These three American makers have grit and artistry in a single and deserve a glance! Their creations are actually cast by American palms.
Assembly the Fingers Forging America
I’m lucky to be within the presence of inventive artists comparable to these three positive American bladesmiths. I met Scott Knowlton and Allen Arment (Primitive Bear Knives) on the Georgia Bushcraft occasion in 2023 and in 2025. Nevertheless, one other nice knifemaker and buddy, James Gibson, launched me to Jason Lowe at Blade Present 2021.
Knowlton Knives
Knowlton Knives sits firmly within the American customized‑maker custom: small‑batch builds, hand‑completed particulars, and a give attention to sensible discipline efficiency. Makers on this tier sometimes work solo, producing knives in managed portions to take care of high quality.
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Knowlton’s status circulates by phrase‑of‑mouth, social media drops, and the broader customized‑knife group. Their work leans towards exhausting‑use out of doors blades—clear grinds, sturdy steels, and ergonomic handles constructed for actual fieldcraft. That is the sort of store the place each knife displays the maker’s palms, not a manufacturing line.
My Knowlton knife is their tackle a Puukko with an authentic sheath. The high-carbon metal sports activities a 3 ¼-inch blade (3-inch edge) and is 7 ¼-inches total. The paper micarta deal with scales are rounded and oval-shaped for that traditional Scandinavian Puukko knife essence. The tremendous sharp, 90-degree backbone will certainly get your tinder ignited with a ferro rod with no issues.
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Buffalo Leather-based
Buffalo leather-based brings actual toughness to knife gear whereas nonetheless feeling gentle within the hand. Its dense grain resists abrasion and holds form underneath exhausting use, giving sheaths a rugged, weathered look. It molds cleanly, takes dye properly, and builds a daring patina as a substitute of breaking down. The result’s a sturdy, comfy materials that matches out of doors work and carries a blade with confidence.
Tavern Hill Cast Blades
Jason Lowe of Tavern Hill Blades has been forging and grinding knives in Jonesborough, Tennessee, for years, constructing a status for rustic simplicity paired with fashionable supplies. His work spans hand‑cast choppers, inventory‑removing EDC blades, and woods‑prepared designs constructed to final.
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Lowe’s southern model exhibits in every bit: clear strains, robust steels like 80CrV2, and deal with supplies that steadiness sturdiness with character. His craft earned him a spot as a contestant on the Historical past Channel’s Cast in Hearth, giving him nationwide visibility. Lowe additionally maintains an energetic presence on social media, sharing builds and behind‑the‑scenes store work.
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Hand Cast JL Tomahawk
This hawk begins with a reclaimed farrier’s rasp and a 5160 excessive‑carbon bit, then will get cast into a tricky discipline device with actual presence. The wrap‑round head carries a clear, tapered eye that locks onto the deal with with confidence. The pinnacle weighs 9 ounces.
Its hickory deal with is torched for texture and lower to 19 inches, and customers can regulate that size to go well with their grip. A home made seven‑ounce veg‑tan sheath rides in medium brown with a daring dragon‑scale sample. The hawk weighs twenty ounces naked and 23 ounces when sheathed. This hawk chops exterior its weight class!
Primitive Bear
In 2024, Papa Bear Knives rebranded itself as Primitive Bear Knives. Allen Arment, who started making knives after failing to seek out his perfect “grail” blade and deciding to construct it himself, based Primitive Bear Knives. The corporate began in 2019 and rapidly grew by social media, YouTube, and constant product drops.
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Allen makes a speciality of sensible out of doors knives: bushcraft blades, hunters, EDC patterns, and slim discipline designs just like the Blackwater and Edisto. His work emphasizes usability, pleasure in craftsmanship, and setting an instance for his youngsters. Primitive Bear maintains an energetic YouTube presence, commonly posting new merchandise.
Once I met Allen in Georgia, a sure Sheepsfoot-style caught my eye. The favored Blackwater design impressed it. It has a MagnaCut Stainless Metal blade and multi-colored micarta scales. The general size is 7 3/4 inches, with a roughly 3 ½-inch blade. Allen used 3/32-inch-thick inventory, which is my favourite thickness for a knife.
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In contrast to a typical Sheepsfoot blade, this one has a slight stomach for larger versatility. The backbone additionally has a pointy 90-degree angle for additional camp utility, particularly for firemaking duties. A Kydex scout carry sheath comes with the knife for sturdiness in any climate situation.
Abstract: Cast by American Fingers
Try these three American makers to your searching, fireplace prep, carving, kindling splitting, and leisure hawk throwing wants. Every is an artist with years of expertise and gives one thing totally different. And in the event that they don’t have what you need, they’ll make it, showcasing instruments and artistry cast by American palms!
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