Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamie Herring.
Hi Jamie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Back in 2009, I was in a high-stress job working lots of hours and taking a new drug for diabetes. That combination set me on a path of deteriorating mental and physical health. At a visit to my doctor, we discussed the issues with the new drug and he casually asked me what I did for fun. My response was “Not much”. He encouraged me to find something that I could enjoy and that would allow some downtime. Out of that conversation Lake Creek Forge was born and I began a journey back to the joys of life. I inherited an old anvil from my father-in-law several years earlier so I bought a propane forge and began to learn the art of blacksmithing. Nothing fancy for sure, steak flippers, key fobs, and metal art mostly. Some may find it strange to find enjoyment in heating up metal and beating it into something beautiful or useful, but for me, it became my therapy of sorts. Back in college, I had a professor that made knives by hand. I was amazed at the craftsmanship I saw in his work. Fast forward to 2012. I began to forge a few knives and but lacked the skills to make one I would want to show off to anyone. I tried few using a process called “stock removal” which is basically cutting out a knife shape from a piece of steel, grinding it, heat treating it, and putting a handle on it. Still, I was not happy with my results until I met Curtis Klingle, who taught me more in three days, about the stock removal process, than I had learned on my own in the previous three years. Since that time, I have honed my skills and created a small hobby business that is rewarding and enjoyable. At Lake Creek Forge I do everything in-house from cutting out the steel through the heat treat and tempering process. I make my own sheaths for the blades I create as well. My knife shop is a sanctuary of sorts; a place where creativity has no bounds or limits.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As a knife creator, I am my own worst critic as it should be. Getting the confidence to put my work out was struggle at first. I strive to make every blade better than the previous one. In March of 2021 I accidentally (not in knife making) cut off the end of my left thumb right below the nail. Major panic ensued! With the help of some new equipment, I’m back making knives with confidence. My next knife show will be in April 2022 at the Texas select Event in Bellville Texas.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
When I began making knives, there were very few makers that a new maker could draw from. With the help of shows like Forged in Fire, knife making and blade smiting has gained popularity. There are lots of great makers out there and there are also lots of makers that cut corners, use cheap materials, and don’t produce a good product. When someone purchases a knife from me, they are guaranteed that it will be made with high-quality materials and my best craftmanship.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
Curtis Klingle, of C-M Forge, is my mentor and teacher. In three days, he turned a “shank” maker into a knife maker. It’s skilled makers like Curtis that advance the art of knifemaking.
Contact Info:
- Email: lakecreekforge@gmail.com
- Instagram: lakecreekforge on Instagram
- Facebook: Lake Creek Forge on FaceBook
