Spend a Weekend or a day at Ashokan that will enlighten you on the history, development, and creation of high quality blades.
The demonstrators for the 2025 Sword Seminar are:
Matthew Berry
Biography:
Matt began smithing in 1987 on a coal forge. In 2017 he retired from his day job and turned his hobby into a full-time hobby. Matt specializes in swords from the Viking age, but his work ranges from the bronze age up to the 1400s. Matt combines his smithing skills with years of lost wax casting experience to produce some of the more elaborate swords from the first millennium AD. You can see his work at
www.hopkinsforge.com/
Lecture:
Matt’s lecture/demo will be on the gold plating of sword components. He will cover a bit of the history of gilding with gold, and the dangers associated with mercury gilding. This will be followed by a demonstration of the modern method of immersion electro-plating as a more safe and slightly more sane method of adding the bling that only gold can bring to a sword.
Matt began smithing in 1987 on a coal forge. In 2017 he retired from his day job and turned his hobby into a full-time hobby. Matt specializes in swords from the Viking age, but his work ranges from the bronze age up to the 1400s. Matt combines his smithing skills with years of lost wax casting experience to produce some of the more elaborate swords from the first millennium AD. You can see his work at
www.hopkinsforge.com/
Lecture:
Matt’s lecture/demo will be on the gold plating of sword components. He will cover a bit of the history of gilding with gold, and the dangers associated with mercury gilding. This will be followed by a demonstration of the modern method of immersion electro-plating as a more safe and slightly more sane method of adding the bling that only gold can bring to a sword.
A few examples of Matt's work:
Jordan LaMothe
Biography:
Jordan LaMothe is a Master Smith in the American Bladesmith Society and a full-time knife-maker based in Hebron, NY. He makes a wide variety of knives and swords, from “user” knives for the kitchen and field to presentation blades and historically-based weapons. He also teaches regularly at craft schools around the country. In 2022, Jordan received a Fulbright grant to study koftgari and Indian weapons making techniques in Udaipur, Rajasthan. He spent 9 months in India, learning from master craftsmen and studying historical weapons at museums around Rajasthan. He also has a bachelor’s degree in music from Williams College, and was champion of Forged in Fire season 4, episode 7.
You can see more of Jordan's work at:
www.jordanlamothe.com/#/
instagram.com/jordanlamothe_
https://www.youtube.com/@farmer_blacksmith
https://www.tiktok.com/@farmer_blacksmith
Demonstration:
Found on all manner of historical weaponry from the Middle East to India, Koftgari is a technique for overlaying gold and silver onto iron in intricate designs. Jordan LaMothe traveled to Udaipur, India in 2022 to learn this technique from master craftsmen in one of the few locations where it is still practiced today. Jordan will demonstrate each of the steps in the koftgari process: preparing the iron, applying the precious metal, and burnishing and finishing the piece, describing in detail the tools and methods used to achieve high-quality gold overlay.
Jordan LaMothe is a Master Smith in the American Bladesmith Society and a full-time knife-maker based in Hebron, NY. He makes a wide variety of knives and swords, from “user” knives for the kitchen and field to presentation blades and historically-based weapons. He also teaches regularly at craft schools around the country. In 2022, Jordan received a Fulbright grant to study koftgari and Indian weapons making techniques in Udaipur, Rajasthan. He spent 9 months in India, learning from master craftsmen and studying historical weapons at museums around Rajasthan. He also has a bachelor’s degree in music from Williams College, and was champion of Forged in Fire season 4, episode 7.
You can see more of Jordan's work at:
www.jordanlamothe.com/#/
instagram.com/jordanlamothe_
https://www.youtube.com/@farmer_blacksmith
https://www.tiktok.com/@farmer_blacksmith
Demonstration:
Found on all manner of historical weaponry from the Middle East to India, Koftgari is a technique for overlaying gold and silver onto iron in intricate designs. Jordan LaMothe traveled to Udaipur, India in 2022 to learn this technique from master craftsmen in one of the few locations where it is still practiced today. Jordan will demonstrate each of the steps in the koftgari process: preparing the iron, applying the precious metal, and burnishing and finishing the piece, describing in detail the tools and methods used to achieve high-quality gold overlay.
Some examples of Jordan's work:
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Kevin Cashen |
Biography:
With a lifetime devoted to the research and study of the history, science and methods of forged blades, Kevin Cashen is one of the most respected experts in his field on many aspects of his craft. Because of this, his services as an instructor are much in demand. Kevin has been an American Bladesmith Society approved instructor for over 20 years, and has taught classes ranging from intro to bladesmithing, for beginners, to blade metallurgy, for master instructors, at locations that include local events, international symposiums and colleges and universities. He has been integral in helping to organize and lead programs for the Ashokan Knife Seminars for many years and will be lending his expertise to this year's program. View Kevin's work at https://cashenblades.com/the-blades/
Lecture:
Kevin has been working for the past year putting together this year's program. He will be doing an introduction of the demonstrators and will be making sure everything is running smoothly and on time.
With a lifetime devoted to the research and study of the history, science and methods of forged blades, Kevin Cashen is one of the most respected experts in his field on many aspects of his craft. Because of this, his services as an instructor are much in demand. Kevin has been an American Bladesmith Society approved instructor for over 20 years, and has taught classes ranging from intro to bladesmithing, for beginners, to blade metallurgy, for master instructors, at locations that include local events, international symposiums and colleges and universities. He has been integral in helping to organize and lead programs for the Ashokan Knife Seminars for many years and will be lending his expertise to this year's program. View Kevin's work at https://cashenblades.com/the-blades/
Lecture:
Kevin has been working for the past year putting together this year's program. He will be doing an introduction of the demonstrators and will be making sure everything is running smoothly and on time.
A few examples of Kevin's work:
Matthew Parkinson
Biography:
ABS Journeyman smith
Forged in Fire Champion
Matthew has been a full time smith since 1998 and specializes in culinary knives as well as modern takes on historical blades from the 7-17th century. After a career as a ornamental blacksmith primarily producing railings and ornamental iron work full time, and making knives and sword on the side, Matthew became a full time bladesmith in 2011. He attained the rank of journeyman smith in the ABS in 2016
Matthew has won numerous awards for his work, Is a staff writer for Knife Magazine and has had his work featured in publications around the world.
Matthew began teaching blacksmithing and bladesmithing in 2007 and now teaches at schools throughout the US as well as teaching out of the dragons breath forge school.
Matthew is a founding partner and owner of Dragons Breath forge.
Link to website https://dragonsbreathforge.com/
Demo description:
Matthew will be doing a sword forging demo, using a pre-made pattern welded billet with emphasis on showing how to control for pattern . He will also be doing a bezel stone setting demo.
ABS Journeyman smith
Forged in Fire Champion
Matthew has been a full time smith since 1998 and specializes in culinary knives as well as modern takes on historical blades from the 7-17th century. After a career as a ornamental blacksmith primarily producing railings and ornamental iron work full time, and making knives and sword on the side, Matthew became a full time bladesmith in 2011. He attained the rank of journeyman smith in the ABS in 2016
Matthew has won numerous awards for his work, Is a staff writer for Knife Magazine and has had his work featured in publications around the world.
Matthew began teaching blacksmithing and bladesmithing in 2007 and now teaches at schools throughout the US as well as teaching out of the dragons breath forge school.
Matthew is a founding partner and owner of Dragons Breath forge.
Link to website https://dragonsbreathforge.com/
Demo description:
Matthew will be doing a sword forging demo, using a pre-made pattern welded billet with emphasis on showing how to control for pattern . He will also be doing a bezel stone setting demo.
A few examples of Matt's work work:
Tim Zowada
Bio:
For those of you who are not familiar with Tim, or his work, here are a few highlights of his career: Tim made his first knife in 1979, while still in high school. In 1982, he made his first Damascus steel. In 1983, knife making became his full time profession. Since then, he has risen among the ranks of custom knife makers, whose work is among the most desired. He has also won several awards at knife shows, and juried exhibitions.
Not only does Tim make great razors and knives, he teaches others in order to preserve the craft. He has lectured and demonstrated at several seminars over the years. He has been the director of the Ashokan Knifemaking Seminar for most of the last two decades. Tim has also been a regular contributor for both the Blade Magazine, and Knives Illustrated. His other writings include a chapter in Blade's Guide to Making Knives 2nd Edition and articles in Knives 2012, 2014, and 2016.
In the modern era, Tim was the first craftsman to make razors, full time, in the US. He was also the first razor maker to use Damascus steel, of his own manufacture, in his razors. Since then, he has continued to innovate by making his “Tim-ahagane” from iron ore he collects himself. As far as we know, Tim is the only person in the world currently crafting razors from steel made entirely by himself.
While there are many makers beginning to dabble with razors, the list is very short of those who make a real, high quality razor. Tim's razors are not only excellent shavers, they are also precision works of art.
Demo:
Tim will be demonstrating modern heat treatment techniques of longer blades.
For those of you who are not familiar with Tim, or his work, here are a few highlights of his career: Tim made his first knife in 1979, while still in high school. In 1982, he made his first Damascus steel. In 1983, knife making became his full time profession. Since then, he has risen among the ranks of custom knife makers, whose work is among the most desired. He has also won several awards at knife shows, and juried exhibitions.
Not only does Tim make great razors and knives, he teaches others in order to preserve the craft. He has lectured and demonstrated at several seminars over the years. He has been the director of the Ashokan Knifemaking Seminar for most of the last two decades. Tim has also been a regular contributor for both the Blade Magazine, and Knives Illustrated. His other writings include a chapter in Blade's Guide to Making Knives 2nd Edition and articles in Knives 2012, 2014, and 2016.
In the modern era, Tim was the first craftsman to make razors, full time, in the US. He was also the first razor maker to use Damascus steel, of his own manufacture, in his razors. Since then, he has continued to innovate by making his “Tim-ahagane” from iron ore he collects himself. As far as we know, Tim is the only person in the world currently crafting razors from steel made entirely by himself.
While there are many makers beginning to dabble with razors, the list is very short of those who make a real, high quality razor. Tim's razors are not only excellent shavers, they are also precision works of art.
Demo:
Tim will be demonstrating modern heat treatment techniques of longer blades.
Some examples of Tim's work:
Lee Jones
Biography:
Lee is a retired pathologist whose interest in collecting antique arms began in the 1960s while he was still in high school. In the mid 1980s these interests became focused on early European edged weapons, particularly upon swords of the Viking Age that incorporated pattern-welding, and an Army tour in Germany at the same time brought proximity and visits to many of the great European museums with significant collections on display. Over the years his focus blurred and widened with the European collection growing to extend from the Bronze Age until the late Medieval Period. Lee worked with Ewart Oakeshott and Ian Peirce toward the publication, in 2002, of Swords of the Viking Age and Lee operates vikingsword.com which includes not only sections for medieval European swords but for the wide range of ethnographic edged weapons and includes an active forum community. This will be his fifth Ashokan Sword Seminar presentation.
Description of lecture:
Lee will bring up the tail of this year's 'parade' reviewing numerous examples of decorative work embellishing swords from a diversity of cultures and times. An emphasis will be placed on those decorative techniques that have been covered in practical terms by this seminar's demonstrators. Additionally, parallels between similar approaches undertaken in different places and times will be considered, as will be some covert features discovered in an X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy survey of the collection. As with the past presentations, a number of the actual antique items discussed will be available for detailed hands-on inspection by participants.
Lee is a retired pathologist whose interest in collecting antique arms began in the 1960s while he was still in high school. In the mid 1980s these interests became focused on early European edged weapons, particularly upon swords of the Viking Age that incorporated pattern-welding, and an Army tour in Germany at the same time brought proximity and visits to many of the great European museums with significant collections on display. Over the years his focus blurred and widened with the European collection growing to extend from the Bronze Age until the late Medieval Period. Lee worked with Ewart Oakeshott and Ian Peirce toward the publication, in 2002, of Swords of the Viking Age and Lee operates vikingsword.com which includes not only sections for medieval European swords but for the wide range of ethnographic edged weapons and includes an active forum community. This will be his fifth Ashokan Sword Seminar presentation.
Description of lecture:
Lee will bring up the tail of this year's 'parade' reviewing numerous examples of decorative work embellishing swords from a diversity of cultures and times. An emphasis will be placed on those decorative techniques that have been covered in practical terms by this seminar's demonstrators. Additionally, parallels between similar approaches undertaken in different places and times will be considered, as will be some covert features discovered in an X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy survey of the collection. As with the past presentations, a number of the actual antique items discussed will be available for detailed hands-on inspection by participants.
A sample from Lee's website:
Emiliano Carrillo
Biography:
I began bladesmithing in 2014 and quickly became enamored with Viking Age pattern welding, Medieval swords forms, and Japanese sword making. I focused on historical pattern welding and using artifacts to reverse engineer the forging techniques used on those pieces. I’ve had the opportunity to study many original artifacts in museums as well as private collections and this study influences every aspect of my work. I began making bloomery iron and steel in order to more closely emulate these artifacts. I currently create Japanese style pieces out of my own smelted sand iron tamahagane and oroshigane as well as Viking spears, swords, and seaxes from the same period accurate materials.
Learn more about Emiliano and his work here:
Sunandstarsforge on instagram
emilianocarrillo.com
Sun And Stars Forge - Emiliano Carrillo on facebook
Demo: Practical Sword Finish Grinding
Taking a sword blade from fresh forged, to hardened, to finish ground is quite a lot of work. There are many pitfalls that can occur when you extend the length of what you’re grinding from a mid sized knife to a full 30” sword. I’ll finish grind a sword blade and explain my methods and techniques for making sure things stay straight and true, and tips and tricks to help keep you from over warping, thinning, or burning a blade.
Lecture/Demo: Raised Inlay/Overlay in the Viking Tradition
I’ll be giving a "follow along” powerpoint of a sword build utilizing a technique employed by Viking age cutlers to cover entire hilts in silver copper and gold. This is a technique within the family of nunome zogan and koftgari, but relies on straight cut channels to secure the wire. I will use a Viking sword guard to cut several lines and overlay wire as a demonstration after the lecture portion.
I began bladesmithing in 2014 and quickly became enamored with Viking Age pattern welding, Medieval swords forms, and Japanese sword making. I focused on historical pattern welding and using artifacts to reverse engineer the forging techniques used on those pieces. I’ve had the opportunity to study many original artifacts in museums as well as private collections and this study influences every aspect of my work. I began making bloomery iron and steel in order to more closely emulate these artifacts. I currently create Japanese style pieces out of my own smelted sand iron tamahagane and oroshigane as well as Viking spears, swords, and seaxes from the same period accurate materials.
Learn more about Emiliano and his work here:
Sunandstarsforge on instagram
emilianocarrillo.com
Sun And Stars Forge - Emiliano Carrillo on facebook
Demo: Practical Sword Finish Grinding
Taking a sword blade from fresh forged, to hardened, to finish ground is quite a lot of work. There are many pitfalls that can occur when you extend the length of what you’re grinding from a mid sized knife to a full 30” sword. I’ll finish grind a sword blade and explain my methods and techniques for making sure things stay straight and true, and tips and tricks to help keep you from over warping, thinning, or burning a blade.
Lecture/Demo: Raised Inlay/Overlay in the Viking Tradition
I’ll be giving a "follow along” powerpoint of a sword build utilizing a technique employed by Viking age cutlers to cover entire hilts in silver copper and gold. This is a technique within the family of nunome zogan and koftgari, but relies on straight cut channels to secure the wire. I will use a Viking sword guard to cut several lines and overlay wire as a demonstration after the lecture portion.
A few examples of Emiliano's work:
Michael Edelson
Biography:
Michael Edelson is the bestselling author of Cutting with the Medieval Sword: Theory and Application, and a lifelong student of martial arts with over 30 years of experience, 20 of them in various weapon arts. He founded the New York Historical Fencing Association in December of 2005 and helped it develop into one of the biggest and most successful HEMA schools in the United States. He is also an event director for Longpoint, the premier competitive HEMA event in the world. Michael's work in cutting and body mechanics was instrumental in bringing structured cutting practice and competition into modern HEMA in North America and parts of Europe. Almost all HEMA cutting tournaments, as they exist today, are based on and born of his work—he ran the first such tournament at Longpoint 2012. Learn more about Michael at http://www.newyorklongsword.com/michael-edelson.
Demo:
See how the swords you are learning about this weekend are put to use in two demonstrations with fellow NYHFA member Tristan Zukowski; European Sword Technique and European Sword Cutting.
Michael Edelson is the bestselling author of Cutting with the Medieval Sword: Theory and Application, and a lifelong student of martial arts with over 30 years of experience, 20 of them in various weapon arts. He founded the New York Historical Fencing Association in December of 2005 and helped it develop into one of the biggest and most successful HEMA schools in the United States. He is also an event director for Longpoint, the premier competitive HEMA event in the world. Michael's work in cutting and body mechanics was instrumental in bringing structured cutting practice and competition into modern HEMA in North America and parts of Europe. Almost all HEMA cutting tournaments, as they exist today, are based on and born of his work—he ran the first such tournament at Longpoint 2012. Learn more about Michael at http://www.newyorklongsword.com/michael-edelson.
Demo:
See how the swords you are learning about this weekend are put to use in two demonstrations with fellow NYHFA member Tristan Zukowski; European Sword Technique and European Sword Cutting.
Some examples of Michael's work:
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Tristan Zukowski
Biography:
Tristan has been a member of NYHFA since 2009, and an instructor since 2011. While he maintains a regular teaching schedule at the NYC branches, and frequently assistant-teaches at the Kingston and Bard College branches, he also travels to give seminars, workshops, and master classes in the USA and abroad. He also co-founded Squinting Rabbit Productions, a film company creating high-quality, innovative and informative videos for the HEMA community.
Co-Founder and Executive Producer, Squinting Rabbit Productions, 2016 – Present
Director of HEMA Programs, Sword Class NYC, 2013 – 2019
Boardmember, HEMA Alliance Curriculum Council, 2014 – 2016.
To learn more about Tristan, visit: http://www.newyorklongsword.com/tristan-zukowski
Demo:
See how the swords you are learning about this weekend are put to use in two demonstration with fellow NYHFA member Michael Edison; European Sword Technique and European Sword Cutting.
Tristan has been a member of NYHFA since 2009, and an instructor since 2011. While he maintains a regular teaching schedule at the NYC branches, and frequently assistant-teaches at the Kingston and Bard College branches, he also travels to give seminars, workshops, and master classes in the USA and abroad. He also co-founded Squinting Rabbit Productions, a film company creating high-quality, innovative and informative videos for the HEMA community.
Co-Founder and Executive Producer, Squinting Rabbit Productions, 2016 – Present
Director of HEMA Programs, Sword Class NYC, 2013 – 2019
Boardmember, HEMA Alliance Curriculum Council, 2014 – 2016.
To learn more about Tristan, visit: http://www.newyorklongsword.com/tristan-zukowski
Demo:
See how the swords you are learning about this weekend are put to use in two demonstration with fellow NYHFA member Michael Edison; European Sword Technique and European Sword Cutting.
Some examples of Tristan's work:
Herb Kettell
Biography:
I started making knives as a teenager. I made my first journey to Ashokan for the 1995 Sword year and I've only missed a handful of years since. I've been a spare time maker while pursuing a career as a structural and pipe welder for a DOD contractor. I've helped teach classes and volunteered with youth forging programs at nearby New England School of Metalwork.
Demo:
Herb will be offering a demo on forging blades, and will also be leading the "Open Forge" program, an opportunity for folks of all experience levels to forge a blade. The focus will be on basic blade shapes, forging technique and sequence, along with basic blacksmithing fundamentals. Use and care of a coal forge fire will be covered as well. Blade steel will be available for purchase on site.
I started making knives as a teenager. I made my first journey to Ashokan for the 1995 Sword year and I've only missed a handful of years since. I've been a spare time maker while pursuing a career as a structural and pipe welder for a DOD contractor. I've helped teach classes and volunteered with youth forging programs at nearby New England School of Metalwork.
Demo:
Herb will be offering a demo on forging blades, and will also be leading the "Open Forge" program, an opportunity for folks of all experience levels to forge a blade. The focus will be on basic blade shapes, forging technique and sequence, along with basic blacksmithing fundamentals. Use and care of a coal forge fire will be covered as well. Blade steel will be available for purchase on site.
Examples of Herb's work:
