Troy lives with his wife, Cyndi, in Wasa, BC. He has been a full-time knifemaker since 2016, but he made his first knife way back in 1997. He was walking down a railway track on his way to work and found a railway spike. When he got to work and showed it to his coworker, Gary, who told Troy he could make a knife with it. Troy says, “My curiosity was captured instantly, and I had to learn more! That night I started collecting some basic tools, and I purchased a book on knifemaking. Shortly afterward, I went to work and transformed that railway spike into a knife! It was very basic and simple but I accomplished what I set out to do. When I showed it to Gary, he said, "It looks good, but..." Gary picked it apart because he knew that I could do better, and I did.
Over the course of that year, I made many knives, and Gary criticized each one, but the next one got better.” That started Troy on his lifelong passion for knifemaking. Since 1997, Troy has been a fully certified welder with an additional pressure and structural ticket. This knowledge and experience have been an asset to his knifemaking.
He started welding steel together to make Damascus in the same year he made his first knife. There was no Internet or “Forged in Fire” at that time, so Troy purchased books and found library textbooks to learn as much as he could, and then it was trial and error. He remembers making his first 10-12-layered Damascus using an acetylene torch. He put the newly forged steel into a ferric chloride bath, and then the unique and beautiful layers appeared; he was hooked on making Damascus. He says, “Each Damascus pattern is unique. I couldn’t recreate the same one twice. That is the creative part of it.” He has learned how to use copper and explains, “Making copper layers is not difficult, but you need to know how to use the right temperature. I understand metallurgy, so I apply this knowledge. You can see it done on the Internet; you have to do it with your hands to really learn.”
Troy has used the same approach with his leather work. He started making sheaths soon after he began making knives. He realized he needed to protect the blades. Over the years, he has hired people to make sheaths, but the results were not what he had envisioned. He feels the sheath needs to work with the knife and complement it, creating a complete artistic statement. He says, “Knives are functional art that you can use. Each knife has a personality derived from the energy that goes into making it. It takes a lot of mental creative energy, focus, and concentration. I always strive for professionalism and perfection. I put my heart and my soul into every knife.”
Troy’s customers come to him from his Facebook, Instagram and Website and are mostly from Western Canada. He has many repeat customers. He says all his hunting and camping knives come with a sheath, and his chef knives come with a bamboo cutting board that Cyndi designs and makes.
In terms of materials, he likes carbon steel for Damascus, such as 15N20, 1084 and 1095, and he is trying a new Pro Cut Carbon steel. For handle material, his favourite is antler. “I like the look and feel of antler and the idea that it was walking around in the wilderness for the better part of a year”. He notes that when using antler, the knifemaker needs to either remove the pith or stabilize it with resin, which makes the handle heavier but very solid. Many people who buy a knife with an antler handle consider it a family heirloom.
Troy has also brought back an old technique of leather stacking on the handles. He says “Leather stacking was popular in the early 1900’s probably derived from using the leftover leather from the sheath. I use it on hunting and camp knives. It gives a nice classic look, and when the knife is used on a cold day, the handle feels warm.”
When asked about the challenges he faces, he said, “Time and resource management are the biggest. I am always trying to be as efficient as possible. For example, when I make Damascus I make enough for both a chef knife and a hunting knife. It is expensive to make knives, so efficiency is important.”
Troy likes sharing his knowledge, and he gives bladesmithing courses in his shop. Students can learn how to forge a knife or make a stock removal knife. In the future, Troy plans to offer a Damascus making course as well. See his Facebook for details.
Words of Wisdom – “Whenever possible, get better tools and equipment. For example, instead of using files, get a belt grinder. Also, it is very important to look after your short-term and long-term health. Always focus on safety. Know how to operate machines safely and use proper ventilation in your shop.”
See more of Troy and Flanders Forge - https://www.facebook.com/flandersforgecanada/
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