Max Wenerstrom is a blacksmith and craftsman best known for creating hand-forged knives that balance a beautiful aesthetic with practical durability. Max started blacksmithing at the age of 15, became obsessed with the craft, and quickly demonstrated an elite talent for creating one-of-a-kind knives. His passion led him to study under a 17th-generation Japanese bladesmith, who began teaching Max the art of forging knives in the Japanese tradition-- a labor-intensive, time-honored method of creating some of the world’s sharpest and most durable knives.

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I was introduced to Max by my friends at Ranchlands, one of the West’s most respected ranch management companies. Max was participating in a residency at Ranchlands’ 87,000-acre Chico Basin Ranch, where he was offering blacksmithing demonstrations and forging a specific model of knife developed in partnership with Ranchlands. It’s a knife created specifically for ranchers-- designed to be used on horseback for everyday work and high-stakes situations. So when the folks at Ranchlands told me about Max, I drove out, and we sat down for an inspiring conversation.

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Max is only 21 years old, and as you’ll hear in the interview, I was blown away by his maturity, work ethic, and commitment to quality. But aside from my endless amazement with his age, we covered a ton of interesting topics. We chatted about his beginnings in the craft, and what led him to study with world-famous Japanese bladesmith Murray Carter. We discussed his dedication to creating the highest quality products, how he pushes himself to constantly improve his craft, and the hard work involved in both. We discuss how he started building his business during high school and how it has grown and evolved in recent years. We talked about his partnership with Ranchlands, the process of making a knife, his deep love of the West, and advice for anyone seeking to begin a deliberate practice of craftsmanship.

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I really loved this conversation and appreciated Max taking the time to chat. Be sure to check out the episode notes for links to Max’s website and to the specific Ranchlands-inspired knife that we discussed. I hope you enjoy!

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• Max Wenerstrom
• Wenerstrom Forge
• Ranchlands-Inspired Remuda Knife
• Full episode notes with links: https://mountainandprairie.com/max-wenerstrom/

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TOPICS DISCUSSED:

• 3:15 – When Max started forging knives
• 11:35 – Why Max start smithing at such a young age
• 13:45 – When Max realized he had a talent for bladesmithing
• 16:30 – How Max ended up using his bladesmithing at Ranchlands
• 23:30 – Max discusses his mentality in bladesmithing, why he values quality in his knives, and how he pushes himself to improve his craft
• 26:00 – Max walks us through the process of making a knife
• 29:15 – Max talks about what you need if you are interested in starting bladesmithing
• 32:30 – Max discusses what made his teacher, Murray Carter, such a good teacher
• 34:15 – Max highlights other craft-makers he admires
• 37:30 – Max discusses his plans for the future of his craft
• 43:00 – Max discusses knife sharpening, care, and styles of knives 
• 53:15 – Max identifies the West as a source of inspiration 
• 1:00:45 – Max’s parting advice

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