blacksmith | The Filson Journal

Steel, Fire, and Tradition: Blacksmith Neil Kamimura

At first glance, Kamimura can seem intimidating. His burly arms are covered in tattoos, a serene gaze emanating from a face framed by a bushy black beard and long hair often worn in a bun. His worn leather apron is a testament to the long hours he spends daily inside the T Kamimura Blacksmith Shop on the Big Island of Hawaii. But like the ocean breezes so common here, his smile quickly dominates the room, especially when he begins discussing his life’s passion, making stunning blades in paradise.

Forged from the Salish Sea: Artist Zack Leck

The stunning natural world of the Salish Sea continually influences and inspires Leck’s body of work. He looks for any excuse to venture out on the water, or under the water working as a commercial diver. One of his passions is foraging for the many ocean delicacies present in the sea, such as Dungeness crab, spot prawns, seaweed, oysters, and mussels.

N.M. Bachtel Forging Co.

No one knows this better than bladesmith Nicholas Bachtel. That’s why our collaboration, The Woodsman Knife, is forged from high-carbon 1084 steel, and the full-tang, straight-back blade is tempered to 60HRC hardness for outstanding edge retention.