Today we’d like to introduce you to Rob Logan.
Hi Rob, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I had a fascination with blacksmithing since I was a kid. I always thought it was interesting shaping hot steel. Then about six years ago I caught an episode of Forged In Fire on TV and thought I could do that. Turns out there was more to it than I thought. I reached out and was offered guidance by someone who became my mentor and one of my best friends, Shane Stainton (Red Dog Forge). About five years ago I started making knives seriously. A lot has changed over the last few years. I primarily do stock removal these days but I’m trying to do more forge work. I just can’t keep up hammering the basic pieces. I’ve started dipping my toes into the art knife world. One of those art knives that I finished this past spring is supposed to be getting published in Blade Magazine (slated for the December issue) and I had a boot knife (small dagger) published in the same magazine last March.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Depends on the day? I don’t think it matters who you are or how good you are. There’s always going to be periods of great challenge. There’s some days things go the way they’re supposed to and then I’ll just have one of those days where I do things the same way I always do and it all goes to pot and I’ll find myself standing there with hands covered in epoxy, trying to very quickly make and fit up a new bolster for the one that just popped putting the handle together (not that that exact scenario has ever happened or anything). And there’s hurdles I still can’t quite figure out. I’ve attempted knives with integral bolsters (the bolster is one contiguous piece with the knife steel) and I just can’t quite figure out how to approach them because I’m a chronic overthinker. One day I’ll get it, though.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I make handmade custom cutlery. I do a range of different styles and types. Both knives for carry as well as kitchen cutlery. I honestly prefer making kitchen knives but I wouldn’t call it my specialty, per se. My focus, regardless of which type of knife I’m working on, is always to make it both visually appealing as well as functionally pleasing to use. It has to have a clean finish, be made with aesthetically pleasing materials, and the design has to flow. But at the end of the day, it’s still a tool and needs to work properly, be durable, and be sharp.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I honestly find myself technologically regressing. I’ll sometimes explore YouTube to try to look into ornamental blacksmithing projects. But I find it better to learn from people directly
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Instagram.com/bluecanoeforge
- Facebook: Facebook.com/bluecanoeforge
Image Credits
Jocelyn Frasier
