Full Blast

If you ask most people in the knife making community to create a list of influential contemporary bladesmiths, it’s hard for me to believe Salem Straub wouldn’t be high in the mix. His style and execution of complicated mosaic, Damascus knives are easily recognizable for the crisp contrasts, intricate patterns and thoughtful decisions. The multi pattern construction also gives purpose to the compound grinds making all the decisions very very well thought out. This got us talking about the future of his work and how his deliberate design emphasis will migrate towards that always tricky transition with the handle. We talked about teaching, tool maintenance and the importance of system accuracy, flow state and the secret to winning Forged In Fire. Salem Straub is a wealth of knowledge and I’m lucky to call him a friend. Thanks again- GF

Links:

Follow Salem Straub on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/salemstraub/

Check out his website:

https://www.prometheanknives.com/

Take a class with him at the Center For Metal Arts:

https://centerformetalarts.org/product/mosaic-composite-pattern-welding/

Take my Friction folder class at CMA:

https://centerformetalarts.org/product/friction-folder/

Subscribe to his Youtube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/user/PrometheanBlade

Follow The Full Blast Podcast on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/thefullblastpodcast/

Please subscribe, leave a review and tell your friends about the show. it helps me out a lot! 

Welcome TotalBoat

Adhesives, paints, primers and polishing compounds.

Go to https://www.totalboat.com/

And put in “Fullblast10” for 10% off 

Go get yourself some all natural , food safe Axe Wax

Go to https://axewax.us/

And get 10% off with promocode: FULLBLAST10

Akinteractive

Get your Website designed by AK Interactive, Consultation, Graphic Design, logos, Signage design. 

20+ years experience in Full service design and marketing for knife makers and Craftsman:

http://akinteractive.com/fullblast

10% off with promo code: FULLBLAST10

Get your Blacksmith hammers from John Erianne aka

https://www.instagram.com/sunsetforgenj/

http://sunsetforgenj.com/new-products

Go look at the course curriculum at CMA:

https://centerformetalarts.org/workshops/

** Taking classes from some of the best in forging at one of the best facilities in the country is an excellent opportunity to propel yourself as a blacksmith. Not to be missed. And with housing on the campus it’s a great way to get yourself to the next level. 

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

My friend Derek from Malden is one of the kindest people I’ve met. He’s a maker in Massachusetts who came into his own later in life after recuperating from an injury, when his son suggested he watch DIY videos on Youtube. The story of how he met Jimmy Diresta, struck up a friendship and activated something in him he wasn’t sure he had has now lead him to being on a new Netflix Show called “Making Fun” coming out March 4th. The sincerity, candor and honesty from Derek is plain to see as he tells the story of hardship, redemption and excitement for the future. From high highs, to low lows, this conversation is revealing and Derek someone to see as an inspiration for taking control of of his life. Thanks again Derek for your time and flexibility.- GF

Links:

Follow Derek on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/derekfrommalden/

Subscribe to his Youtube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3eZZx-f8okUBCrt7bityFg

Listen to him on the Hand Made Podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hand-made/id1515894443?i=1000551987959

Follow The Full Blast Podcast on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/thefullblastpodcast/

Please subscribe, leave a review and tell your friends about the show. it helps me out a lot! 

Go get yourself some all natural , food safe Axe Wax

Go to https://axewax.us/

And get 10% off with promocode: FULLBLAST10

Akinteractive

Get your Website designed by AK Interactive, Consultation, Graphic Design, logos, Signage design. 

20+ years experience in Full service design and marketing for knife makers and Craftsman:

http://akinteractive.com/fullblast

10% off with promo code: FULLBLAST10

Get your Blacksmith hammers from John Erianne aka

https://www.instagram.com/sunsetforgenj/

http://sunsetforgenj.com/new-products

Go look at the course curriculum at CMA:

https://centerformetalarts.org/workshops/

** Taking classes from some of the best in forging at one of the best facilities in the country is an excellent opportunity to propel yourself as a blacksmith. Not to be missed. And with housing on the campus it’s a great way to get yourself to the next level. 

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

James Fleming is a US Army combat Veteran who is now a full time Bladesmith in Iowa. We had an interesting conversation starting off talking about how our upbringing and relationships with our parents influence our parenting now. We touched on James’s early days leading him into military service and the difficult transition into civilian life and ultimately becoming a Bladesmith. James has a frontier style and one of the things he makes is a war club that was influenced by muskets, which lead to a fun dive into American History. James is getting ready to test for the ABS Journeyman smith test and we’re all pulling for him. Thanks James for your flexibility, time and candor. All the best- GF  

Links:

Follow James on Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/wasteland_forge/

Check out his website: 

https://www.wastelandforge.com/

Subscribe to his Youtube channel

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYzKCBWFfnD_hZ89XppfP-A

Follow The Full Blast Podcast on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/thefullblastpodcast/

Please subscribe, leave a review and tell your friends about the show. it helps me out a lot! 

Go get yourself some all natural , food safe Axe Wax

Go to https://axewax.us/

And get 10% off with promocode: FULLBLAST10

Akinteractive

Get your Website designed by AK Interactive, Consultation, Graphic Design, logos, Signage design. 

20+ years experience in Full service design and marketing for knife makers and Craftsman:

http://akinteractive.com/fullblast

10% off with promo code: FULLBLAST10

Get your Blacksmith hammers from John Erianne aka

https://www.instagram.com/sunsetforgenj/

http://sunsetforgenj.com/new-products

Go look at the course curriculum at CMA:

https://centerformetalarts.org/workshops/

** Taking classes from some of the best in forging at one of the best facilities in the country is an excellent opportunity to propel yourself as a blacksmith. Not to be missed. And with housing on the campus it’s a great way to get yourself to the next level. 

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Joe Maynard is a retired Army Helicopter who has served his country proudly for 20 years. After finding the love of knife making at a tough time in his life Joe helps others and gives back by traveling around in his mobile forge to show people how knife making can be a rewarding pursuit. We talked about his time flying and made the connections between his former life in the army and how it translates into his voyages around the country today. We also covered his time as a contestant on the survival TV show Naked and Afraid and how he dealt with the insane conditions there. Joe is an incredibly generous guy and his serving a higher purpose helping veterans and others people in need. I appreciate his time and look forward to hearing more about his exploits. Thanks again, GF

Links:

Follow Joe on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/thejoemaynard/

Check out his website:

https://primitivegrind.com/

You can watch his episode of Naked & Afraid

Season 11 episode 15. (You can rent the ep. on YouTube or find it on Discovery Channel)

Follow The Full Blast Podcast on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/thefullblastpodcast/

Please subscribe, leave a review and tell your friends about the show. it helps me out a lot!

Go get yourself some all natural , food safe Axe Wax

Go to https://axewax.us/

And get 10% off with promocode: FULLBLAST10

Akinteractive

Get your Website designed by AK Interactive, Consultation, Graphic Design, logos, Signage design.

20+ years experience in Full service design and marketing for knife makers and Craftsman:

http://akinteractive.com/fullblast

10% off with promo code: FULLBLAST10

Thank you Trojan Horse Forge

THF STABILRAIL KNIFE FINISHING VISE is incredible. This is a total package knife finishing fixture.

Check it out here.

Trojanhorseforge.com

@TROJAN_HORSE_FORGE on instagram

Go look at the course curriculum at CMA:

https://centerformetalarts.org/workshops/

** Taking classes from some of the best in forging at one of the best facilities in the country is an excellent opportunity to propel yourself as a blacksmith. Not to be missed. And with housing on the campus it’s a great way to get yourself to the next level.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Description:  Joe Maynard is a retired Army Helicopter who has served his country proudly for 20 years. After finding the love of knife making at a tough time in his life Joe helps others and gives back by traveling around in his mobile forge to show people how knife making can be a rewarding pursuit. We talked about his time flying and made the connections between his former life in the army and how it translates into his voyages around the country today. We also covered his time as a contestant on the survival TV show Naked and Afraid and how he dealt with the insane conditions there. Joe is an incredibly generous guy and his serving a higher purpose helping veterans and others people in need. I appreciate his time and look forward to hearing more about his exploits. Thanks again, GF

Links:

Follow Joe on Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/thejoemaynard/

Check out his website: 

https://primitivegrind.com/

You can watch his episode of Naked & Afraid 

Season 11 episode 15. (You can rent the ep. on YouTube or find it on Discovery Channel)

Follow The Full Blast Podcast on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/thefullblastpodcast/

Please subscribe, leave a review and tell your friends about the show. it helps me out a lot! 

Go get yourself some all natural , food safe Axe Wax

Go to https://axewax.us/

And get 10% off with promocode: FULLBLAST10

Akinteractive

Get your Website designed by AK Interactive, Consultation, Graphic Design, logos, Signage design. 

20+ years experience in Full service design and marketing for knife makers and Craftsman:

http://akinteractive.com/fullblast

10% off with promo code: FULLBLAST10

Thank you Trojan Horse Forge 

THF STABILRAIL KNIFE FINISHING VISE is incredible. This is a total package knife finishing fixture.

Check it out here. 

Trojanhorseforge.com

@TROJAN_HORSE_FORGE on instagram 

Go look at the course curriculum at CMA:

https://centerformetalarts.org/workshops/

** Taking classes from some of the best in forging at one of the best facilities in the country is an excellent opportunity to propel yourself as a blacksmith. Not to be missed. And with housing on the campus it’s a great way to get yourself to the next level. 

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Stephanie Hoffman is an accomplished welder, instructor, and the face of the American Welding Society. She has a fabrication shop on the Jersey Shore, where she grew up called Underground Metalworks; and it didn’t all come without a price. The beginning of her welding career wasn’t easy as she faced obstacles that she had to overcome; she was overlooked and not welcome in an industry that she loved but she never gave up. Her experience is extraordinary and the good she is doing by ushering young people into welding is commendable. We touched on her life, welding and the bittersweet parts of being a judge on Netflix’s Metalshop Masters. Stephanie is an inspiring person and her story is one of inner fortitude and perseverance. Thanks again for coming on, I really appreciate your candor. - GF

Links:

Follow Stephanie  on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/underground_metal_works/

Go visit her website:

https://www.underground-metalworks.com/

Visit the American Welding Society and consider being a member.

https://www.aws.org/home

Follow The Full Blast Podcast on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/thefullblastpodcast/

Please subscribe, leave a review and tell your friends about the show. it helps me out a lot! 

Go get yourself some all natural , food safe Axe Wax

Go to https://axewax.us/

And get 10% off with promocode: FULLBLAST10

Akinteractive

Get your Website designed by AK Interactive, Consultation, Graphic Design, logos, Signage design. 

20+ years experience in Full service design and marketing for knife makers and Craftsman:

http://akinteractive.com/fullblast

10% off with promo code: FULLBLAST10

Thank you Trojan Horse Forge 

THF STABILRAIL KNIFE FINISHING VISE is incredible. This is a total package knife finishing fixture.

Check it out here. 

Trojanhorseforge.com

@TROJAN_HORSE_FORGE on instagram 

Go look at the course curriculum at CMA:

https://centerformetalarts.org/workshops/

** Taking classes from some of the best in forging at one of the best facilities in the country is an excellent opportunity to propel yourself as a blacksmith. Not to be missed. And with housing on the campus it’s a great way to get yourself to the next level. 

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Keith Mitchell is a woodworker who studied boatbuilding and learned the traditional way of boat design to become a Shipwright. His experience at school, learning these classic techniques informed his methodology and changed the way he views being a craftsman. The preparation of timber as well as the calculation and prediction of steam bending wood perfectly has very parallel philosophies to blacksmithing and it was a very enlightening conversation connecting crafts. Keith is an extremely talented and knowledgable friend and 2 the hours sailed by- we could have kept going, which is always a good sign. We’ll definitely have him back. 

Links:

Follow Keith  on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/shipwrightskills/

Go visit his website:

https://www.instagram.com/shipwrightskills/

Follow The Full Blast Podcast on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/thefullblastpodcast/

Please subscribe, leave a review and tell your friends about the show. it helps me out a lot! 

Go get yourself some all natural , food safe Axe Wax

Go to https://axewax.us/

And get 10% off with promocode: FULLBLAST10

Akinteractive

Get your Website designed by AK Interactive, Consultation, Graphic Design, logos, Signage design. 

20+ years experience in Full service design and marketing for knife makers and Craftsman:

http://akinteractive.com/fullblast

10% off with promo code: FULLBLAST10

Thank you Trojan Horse Forge 

THF STABILRAIL KNIFE FINISHING VISE is incredible. This is a total package knife finishing fixture.

Check it out here. 

Trojanhorseforge.com

@TROJAN_HORSE_FORGE on instagram 

Go look at the course curriculum at CMA:

https://centerformetalarts.org/workshops/

** Taking classes from some of the best in forging at one of the best facilities in the country is an excellent opportunity to propel yourself as a blacksmith. Not to be missed. And with housing on the campus it’s a great way to get yourself to the next level. 

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

My buddy John Erianne, AKA @sunsetforgenj on instagram, came in for a catch up which is always fun. We talked a lot about hammer making and what’s the right hammer for you. We also decided which styles hammer are overrated, underrated and perfectly rated. It is crazy to me the general public has very little understanding of how people who forge see hammers as tools of creativity as opposed to destruction and we talked about that a lot. I’ve learned a lot about hammer making from John and always appreciate his time and friendship.

Links:

Follow John on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/sunsetforgenj/

Go buy his hammers:

http://sunsetforgenj.com/new-products

Follow The Full Blast Podcast on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/thefullblastpodcast/

Please subscribe, leave a review and tell your friends about the show. it helps me out a lot! 

Go get yourself some all natural , food safe Axe Wax

Go to https://axewax.us/

And get 10% off with promocode: FULLBLAST10

Akinteractive

Get your Website designed by AK Interactive, Consultation, Graphic Design, logos, Signage design. 

20+ years experience in Full service design and marketing for knife makers and Craftsman:

http://akinteractive.com/fullblast

10% off with promo code: FULLBLAST10

Thank you Trojan Horse Forge 

THF STABILRAIL KNIFE FINISHING VISE is incredible. This is a total package knife finishing fixture.

Check it out here. 

Trojanhorseforge.com

@TROJAN_HORSE_FORGE on instagram 

Go look at the course curriculum at CMA:

https://centerformetalarts.org/workshops/

** Taking classes from some of the best in forging at one of the best facilities in the country is an excellent opportunity to propel yourself as a blacksmith. Not to be missed. And with housing on the campus it’s a great way to get yourself to the next level. 

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Jessie Uyeda is one of my favorite people to talk to and it’s a great omen to start the year strong with this champion on the podcast. We talked about what she’s working on out in Joshua Tree, her approach to her Youtube channel and what “Toil ASMR” is. I really appreciate Jessie’s perspective on things and just listening to her views on life, Alec Baldwin and the state of social media. Thanks for coming on the podcast Stud you rule. - GF

Links:

Follow Jessie on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/ijessup/

Follow, subscribe and watch her Youtube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/c/ijessup

Follow The Full Blast Podcast on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/thefullblastpodcast/

Please subscribe, leave a review and tell your friends about the show. it helps me out a lot! 

Go get yourself some all natural , food safe Axe Wax

Go to https://axewax.us/

And get 10% off with promocode: FULLBLAST10

Akinteractive

Get your Website designed by AK Interactive, Consultation, Graphic Design, logos, Signage design. 

20+ years experience in Full service design and marketing for knife makers and Craftsman:

http://akinteractive.com/fullblast

10% off with promo code: FULLBLAST10

Thank you Trojan Horse Forge 

THF STABILRAIL KNIFE FINISHING VISE is incredible. This is a total package knife finishing fixture.

Check it out here. 

Trojanhorseforge.com

@TROJAN_HORSE_FORGE on instagram 

Go look at the course curriculum at CMA:

https://centerformetalarts.org/workshops/

** Taking classes from some of the best in forging at one of the best facilities in the country is an excellent opportunity to propel yourself as a blacksmith. Not to be missed. And with housing on the campus it’s a great way to get yourself to the next level. 

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Josh Radnor is an Actor, Director, singer/songwriter and my Kenyon College classmate. You may know him from his films ‘Happythankyoumoreplease’ & ‘Liberal Arts’ or as Lonny Flash on the Amazon series ‘Hunters’ and of course as Ted Mosby on the smash CBS sitcom ‘How I Met Your Mother’. I know him from 3rd floor McBride, the freshman year dormitory we lived in at Kenyon College.

This was an extremely interesting look at the ongoing career of a successful Hollywood actor from the standpoint of someone who remembers his early years as an undergraduate acting student. Seeing Josh in his senior year performance of Romeo & Juliet (of course I knew it wasn’t Hamlet…) to seeing a billboard of him in Grand Central Station above the entrance to the subway advertising a new TV Show: “How I Met Your Mother”, was wild. I couldn’t be more happy for him for pursuing his goals and dreams. 

With 2 weeks to prepare for the starring role in the Broadway show ‘The Graduate’ to working along side Al Pacino, Josh was extremely forthcoming about being a professional creative on the highest level and talks about the tolls taken along the way. I can’t thank Josh enough for his flexibility and time for coming on the podcast and look for ward to seeing him soon. 

Links:

Follow Josh Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/joshradnor/

Go visit his website:

https://www.joshradnor.com/

Listen to his Ink Talk we talked about on the Podcast:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jr7MkrHDGt0

Definitely support his by watching his movies and TV Shows, ‘Hunters’ on Amazon is an amazing series and the second season is on the way. 

Follow The Full Blast Podcast on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/thefullblastpodcast/

Please subscribe, leave a review and tell your friends about the show. it helps me out a lot! 

Go get yourself some all natural , food safe Axe Wax

Go to https://axewax.us/

And get 10% off with promocode: FULLBLAST10

Akinteractive

Get your Website designed by AK Interactive, Consultation, Graphic Design, logos, Signage design. 

20+ years experience in Full service design and marketing for knife makers and Craftsman:

http://akinteractive.com/fullblast

10% off with promo code: FULLBLAST10

Thank you Trojan Horse Forge 

THF STABILRAIL KNIFE FINISHING VISE is incredible. This is a total package knife finishing fixture.

Check it out here. 

Trojanhorseforge.com

@TROJAN_HORSE_FORGE on instagram 

Go look at the course curriculum at CMA:

https://centerformetalarts.org/workshops/

** Taking classes from some of the best in forging at one of the best facilities in the country is an excellent opportunity to propel yourself as a blacksmith. Not to be missed. And with housing on the campus it’s a great way to get yourself to the next level. 

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy