Today we’d like to introduce you to Chad Bowlin.
Hi Chad, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I had always had an interest in bladesmithing, it started when I was 5. My dad brought home Conan the Barbarian on VHS and I was intrigued with the opening scene of them making a sword. Since that day, I knew I wanted to make a blade. It wasn’t until I was 30 that the dream started to take shape. I had a very busy work schedule but still had the desire to learn the craft. When my birthday came around the following year, I was asked what I wanted to do. I said I wanted to go to the ABS school in Arkansas and learn how to forge knives. Everyone shot the idea down and said I would never be any good at it. I didn’t take it so well. I left and went to make a forge myself out of a brake drum, hair dryer, and a metal cart, YouTube University all the way.
I started watching videos and practicing, making some really ugly knives at first but constantly improving. It wasn’t until 4 years later I took some classes and greatly improved. Slowly my hobby began to take off into a nice side business. I decided to start teaching 3 years ago (2019) when I kept hearing that so many people had an interest but didn’t know where to start. From there, the business really took off, shortly after I started providing classes for disabled veterans and other charity groups. I was then asked to compete on the History Channel’s “Forged in Fire”,
As word got out about the classes and knives I made, the business steadily grew and continues to. Today I teach 2-3 classes a month, I hold 4 veteran classes a year, as well as private classes and more advanced techniques, along with making custom culinary, show, and outdoor pieces.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t been smooth. I had a lot of doubters and negativity from others in the beginning. Sometimes it’s hard building from the ground up. It takes a lot of sacrifice, long hours, and events you aren’t going to make. Not everyone wants to be a part of that ride. I’ve also had issues with keeping the lights on so to speak when times were tight in the beginning. It was a scary step going from the garage to an actual shop. The hope that it wouldn’t fall flat when I added all of the extra burden, having to invest in material in advance for classes, the added rent, utilities, and tools. It was a lot upfront to gamble on. It’s enough to keep you up at night. No one wants to invest in their dream to watch it crumble in front of them.
Despite the tough times, month after month, year after year, I always found a way to keep the dream alive and see it grow. Some days are still hard, but it’s not nearly as scary as it was in the beginning. It’s my passion, I love what I do. I’ve never had a bad day at the forge.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a custom knife maker and instructor for entry-level and intermediate knife making. I specialize in custom cutlery and field/outdoor knives. What I am most known for are my classes. I teach inexperienced people how to hammer forge, profile, and finish a complete knife. I guide people through the process so that they are able to create something with their own hands. Most of the time, my students think there is no way they will make anything that resembles a knife. I show that that everyone has the ability to do so.
What I am most proud of is the work I do with veterans. Knowing that I am able to give them a place to let loose, create, and not worry about the world around them for a few days, is amazing. It’s my way of giving back something to those that have given so much to all of us.
I would think the thing that sets me apart is that I am always up for a challenge. I’m not afraid to do the hard things. A fellow ABS Mastersmith, a great man that I admire and have learned a lot from, Steve Schwarzer, always told me to not be afraid of the hard things in life. Overcoming the hard things will always make you better in the end.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Ignore the negativity and those that doubt your dream. Only you have the ability to make or break your dream. There will always be challenges and adversities, it won’t always be easy, but it will always be worth it.
Pricing:
- 2-day forging class 350$
- 1-day forging class 200$
- 3-day introduction to Damascus 1000$
Contact Info:
- Website: www.blackhogknives.com
- Instagram: @black_hog_knives
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlackHogKnives/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/black-hog-knives-deland
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@black_hog_knives
