Barry Clodfelter

Journeyman Smith with the American Bladesmith Society

Currently serving as President of North Carolina Custom Knife Makers Guild

My knife making journey started in 2008 at a local traditional archery tournament.   I had bought a couple blade blanks and attached scales and was showing them to a friend when a guy I didn’t know asked if I made the blade.  I confessed that I didn’t and he said “You didn’t make the knife until you make the blade”.   I took that as a challenge and started learning everything I could about making the blade.  I met a local maker named Art Summers and he was gracious enough to help me become a better maker.  Then in 2011 I took a two week ABS class called Introduction to Bladesmithing class at Haywood Community college in the mountains of NC.

This class introduced me to forging and ignited my love of heating up steel and beating into the shape of a knife.  I strive to make the current knife I am working on better than the one just finished.  While knife making is my hobby it is a hobby I am very serious and passionate about and take pride in performing every aspect of making a knife in house.

I prefer to use high carbon steel for all the knife styles I make.   Carbon steel takes a keen edge and is easily sharpened in the field.  Carbon steel will rust so care must be taken to keep the blade free of moisture and using a rust inhibiting grease during storage is always a good idea.

One of my other passions is sharing the Gospel of Christ.  Eternity is a long time to be wrong about your choices in this life.  I welcome the opportunity to answer any questions you have about my knives or about how you can have a personal relationship with Christ.  Feel free to contact me!