EVENTS

The Northern Minnesota Metalsmith's Spring Conference

Our metalsmith conference is held the last full weekend of April.

Next years (2025) conference is happening April 26th and 27th with a potluck the evening of the 25th for those who arrive to camp out for the conference.

Our knife making demonstrator next year is Jim Poling. Jim specializes in hand forged blades and makes his own Damascus. He has been making knives for over 40 years and currently holds a Journeyman rating with the ABS!

Jim's style embraces the beauty and simplicity of traditional designs. His knives are forged using mono-steel and a variety of Damascus patterns, which he also creates. His favorite steel is 5160 and he typically use 15N20 Nickel Silver for a flash of color in his Damascus.

His knives are sole authored. That means he creates all the fittings and sculpts the handles for his knives from a variety of materials. He also makes a sheath for each knife from quality leather in traditional styles.

To take a look at some of Jim's amazing work you can go to his website https://irontraditions.com/

Or check out his Facebook page.

Our blacksmith demonstrator is yet to be determined.