Davis, John H.

Hello, I'm John H Davis and I make Damascus cutlery and knives in my forge in Freetown, Indiana... As well as Stainless Steel knives. For as long as I can remember I have had a knife in my pocket and even as a 5-yr. old heading to the woods to go fishing I had a knife in my pocket. My Dad made sure I knew how to use it rather than say I could not have one while I was away from home. It seemed to me the most natural thing that a person would have a knife with them to do whatever chore that needed it, no matter where they were going. Well as the years went by I started making knives for friends or family and give them for Christmas presents and each time I would study to make it better. When I heard the American Bladesmith Society had a school to teach bladesmithing I had to go, so it was off to the ABS Bladesmithing School in Old Washington, AR... It was there that I was able to study under ABS Mastersmith's Jim Crowell and Bruce Fuller, where I was able to learn some of the techniques and principles of these Mastersmith's and confirm some of the hard-learned lessons of trial and error. My goal in taking this class was to refine my knife forging skills and to be able to make the best knife I can. I am also glad to say that Master knifemaker Herb Derr is a good friend of mine and he has been instrumental in how I make my Damascus steel for my knives. Herb Derr has been open to my visits to his shop and has helped me in my journey to making the best knife I can. He was the one that encouraged me to do my first knife show. He also helped me become a probationary member of the Knifemakers Guild. I am presently the President of the Florida knifemakers Association, a full Voting member of the Knifemakers Guild and an Apprentice member of the American Bladesmith Society.