Today we’d like to introduce you to Angel.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started blacksmithing at the age of 12, I was always very interested in historical things, swords and armor like every other little boy. I would spend my summers in Puerto Rico with my grandparents and most of my time was spent in my grandpas metal working shop. Early on I just made wood swords and as my grandpa got more comfortable with me using tools he showed me how to work with metal and help him with projects. Eventually I started experimenting on my own making little knives and trinkets, and slowly picked up skills and tools along the way. Nowadays I find myself in similar circles to well known even famous smiths in my line of work and surrounded by other makers and artist that help me continue to grow and expand my skill set.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Most of the difficulty with learning the trade early on was the lack of information or teachers. So much of my learning was actually spent inside libraries as a kid scouring for books on blacksmithing, knife making, or even just historical books with descriptions or illustrations. Now with YouTube and social media there’s a community which has made the process a lot smoother and seamless.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’ve been bladesmithing for roughly 16 years so I’ve done everything once you could say, but I’ve really gravitated towards making swords and daggers. They really captured my imagination more than other things by the fact that these things were once tools for a brutal purpose but made with such beauty and reverence that it still sticks to modern day in things like military dress uniforms. There’s a deep connection with people when they hold a sword something that seems very human and it’s what I strive to make, something that feels like a extension of yourself and maybe even a way to reconnect with your ancestors.
What makes you happy?
Laughing with friends, being out in nature, fast cars and my Fiancé. I’ve always been a very extroverted butterfly of a person and not having a good laugh with friends and making those memories that last a life time. Nature has always held a part of me that has kept me grounded and let me focus my thoughts, shoot I grew up in the woods. I grew up in a family that really enjoyed cars and tinkering so it’s no surprise my brother and I ended up being huge gear heads and I enjoy turning a wrench so much, adding another thing to my growing list of hobbies.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/swampland_knife_co
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swampland_relic_forge?igsh=emIxN3BnOG45NWps&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1A1LYxcUDB/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@swamplandrelicforge?si=xbAIpErxgibn1Op8
