He participated in his first “blade show” last year in Portland - and brought many of his wares to display and sell. He takes custom orders ranging from chef knives to all sorts of outdoor use knives. He has learned how to stabilize local woods to be used for handles and taught himself how to make Damascus steel.
Sam has built many forges at home, using sustainable and recyclable materials.
So now, many years later, I am a full time, self-taught, bladesmith committed to making exceptional blades that are both functional and beautiful.” I soon developed a passion for making knives. “I did not let that get in my way and started to research how to make things out of metal. “Unfortunately, being only 13 at the time, I was unable to take more classes or workshops due to my age,” he explains on his website.
It was a “taster course” - two hours each of welding, foundry and blacksmithing. Sam, who was home schooled in Menlo Park and now lives in the Pacific Northwest, took a class when he was 13 years old at The Crucible in Oakland. The show features world-class bladesmiths competing against each other. Sam Farnworth is appearing as a contestant on Forged in Fire, airing Wednesday, July 17, on the History Channel at 6:00 pm (PDT).
