Who is the best bladesmith in the USA?

Author: Prof. Mike Gislason PhD  |  Last update: Thursday, February 12, 2026

Bob Kramer (born 1958) is an American bladesmith, "widely considered the greatest American knifesmith working today". Some consider his kitchen knives to be "the best in the world". His first knife shop in Seattle, Bladesmiths, opened in 1993.

Who is the best bladesmith in the United States?

Bob Kramer - ABS Master Bladesmith.

How many Master bladesmiths are in the US?

Since its founding in the early 1970's, the American Bladesmith Society has awarded the ranking of Master Smith to fewer than 150 knife makers–I am #149.

Who is the most prestigious knife maker?

  • Kikuichi. In addition to being one of the best knife brands in the world, Kikuichi may very well be one of the oldest knife manufacturers in the world. ...
  • Miyabi. ...
  • Zwilling. ...
  • J.A. Henckels. ...
  • Shun. ...
  • Wüsthof. ...
  • Global. ...
  • Victorinox.

How much does a master bladesmith make?

The annual income of a full-time bladesmith can range from $35,000 up to $200,000 or more for higher-end makers. Data assembled by ZipRecruiter suggests that as of January 1, 2024, the average hourly pay for a knife maker in the United States is $17.79.

EPIC Final Round to Find the AMERICAN CHAMPION | Forged in Fire (Season 10)

How long does it take to become a master bladesmith?

Knifemakers who have attained this title can use "JS" on their knives. After being a journeyman for at least two years and having been tutored by a Master BladeSmith the bladesmith can apply to become a Master Bladesmith. The same performance tests and judging process are used but with different knife requirements.

What knife is John Wick?

Keanu Reeves may not be the first celeb to come to mind when you think of knife-wielding heroes. But as John Wick, he brought the OTF knives designed by Microtech founder Anthony Marfione squarely into the blockbuster spotlight.

What is the sharpest knife in the world?

What is the sharpest knife material? Knives with an Obsidian blade are considered the sharpest in the world, but this material is not fit for making kitchen knives as they're extremely coarse and brittle.

Who is the best knife thrower in the world?

The Reverend Dr. David Adamovich is the world's faster and most accurate knife thrower. Better known as "The Great Throwdini," Adamovich holds 25 world records and the Guinness world record for "Most Knives Thrown Around a Human Target in 1 Minute" (102, in case you were wondering).

What does ABS stand for in forging?

The American Bladesmith Society, or ABS, is a non-profit organization composed of knifemakers whose primary function is to promote the techniques of forging steel blades.

How much does it cost to get into bladesmithing?

You can get into knifemaking for less than $500 with a basic stock removal setup. Although you might have to send your blades away to be heat treated, you will quickly learn enough to graduate to an intermediate setup without wasting money on the wrong kit.

Is it hard to be a bladesmith?

Bladesmithing is the time-honored art of forging and shaping metal to make knives, swords, and other types of blades. Learning it takes some time and more than a little trial and error, but once mastered, bladesmithing inspires many hobbyists to do it full-time.

Who makes the best American made knife?

The Best Knives Made in the USA: 22 Folders and Fixed Blades...
  • Best EDC: Kershaw Bel Air.
  • Best for Collectors: OZ Machine Company Roosevelt.
  • Best Camp Knife: White River Ursus 45.
  • Best Multi-Tool: Leatherman Arc.
  • Best for Bushcraft: LT Wright GNS Scandi MagnaCut.
  • Best Bargain: Leatherman Skeletool KB.

Who has the most forged in fire wins?

Ben Abbott, a nine-time Forged in Fire champion as of February 2022, debuted as a judge starting with the 21st episode of the fourth season.

Who is the best blacksmith?

Among the prominent figures in modern blacksmithing are Samuel Yellin, Albert Paley, Peter Sevin, and Elizabeth Brim. Their contributions highlight the diversity and innovation in contemporary metalwork.

What knife steel stays sharpest the longest?

Carbon steel blades are also well-known for having high wear resistance, which enables them to keep their edges sharp for longer than stainless.

Why don't we use obsidian knives?

The only problem with obsidian blades is that they are brittle… An incision always causes a bleed because you sever small capillaries. Scarring is mostly unrelated to the sharpness of the blade.

What is the sharpest weapon on earth?

The katana was always sharper because of how it's made. You simply cannot get Damascus steel as sharp as the katana due to the metal properties and the difference in forging techniques.

What knife did Sylvester Stallone use in Rambo?

Prop Knives vs.

In Rambo III, unsharpened aluminum prop knives were used along with the real Hibben knives. Rubber stunt, aluminum and steel versions of the knives all were used in the fourth film. “Most were destroyed on set but a very few still exist today,” Stallone wrote.

What knife did Davy Crockett carry?

Davy Crockett's Bowie Knife, Once in Charles Peale's Museum, Caps Heritage Auctions' Arms & Armor, Civil War & Militaria Event.

What was John Wicks main gun?

HK P30L. In the inaugural John Wick film, we see our titular character dig up his old gear and guns. From an OTF knife to the various handguns for his return to work. His main handgun being the Heckler and Koch P30L.

Who has the best knife sharpener?

Final Thoughts on the Best Knife Sharpeners
  • Best Overall: Precision Adjust Knife Sharpener – Elite.
  • Best Electric: Work Sharp Ken Onion Mk. ...
  • Best Professional: Wicked Edge Gen 4.
  • Best for Chef Knives: HORL 2.
  • Best Sharpening Stone: Smith's Arkansas Stone.
  • Best for Kitchen Knives: Spyderco Tri-Angle Sharpmaker.

How many times should you pull a knife through a sharpener?

We recommend 6–8 pulls through the sharpener (tip up). If you need that extra degree of sharpness, polish the edge with a few strokes back and forth.

Is knife sharpening a good side hustle?

Knife sharpening can be a rewarding side hustle that allows you to leverage your sharpening skills and make some extra money. Here are the key takeaways from exploring knife sharpening as a side hustle: Knife sharpening involves restoring the sharpness of blades by removing material from the edge.

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