I’ve been in the blade-making business right at 50 years. I’ve met and befriended hundreds of bladesmiths and knifemakers. I have a long history of designing and making knives and other edged tools in carbon steel and mosaic damascus. I have pioneered many of the modern techniques used in the production of these blades. The techniques are now in their third generation.
The newer smiths and makers—especially in the damascus end of the business—do things with steel and design that border on magical. Some of these modern magicians have been in the business only a few years. I feel very privileged to have met some of them and spent shop time with a few more. One is Henning Wilkinson.
I started following his social media posts a few years ago. Even then the level of his work was nothing short of astounding. His blade designs and mosaic patterning are all well thought out and extraordinary. He and I began corresponding on social media and developed a friendship through our mutual interest in damascus
