I have been making knives full time since 1992 and it all began when I took several classes beginning with Basic Forging then Handle and Guards. Later I returned to take a class in Scrimshaw Art which was taught by Sandra Brady and also a class in Folders (pocketknives) as well as forging damascus. The classes were taught by some of the most well known Master Bladesmiths and I felt very fortunate in getting to meet and study with them. As a very young boy I remember watching (sometimes cranking the blower at the forge) while my Grandpa forged and tempered various things and to this day the smell of coal reminds me of those days. The first knife I worked on was probably one I found buried in the ground and I cleaned it up and made a handle for it from a piece of oak flooring. I still have that knife here in the shop after probably 50 years.

I never argue the various aspects of knife making but encourage everyone to pursue it in the way that they like best. I started out in a very tiny shop about 23 ft. x 13 ft. it had only a dirt floor and no electricity except for a single light bulb. My wife, our two sons and I mixed concrete with a mixer and poured the floor and then I closed-up the end which was open because it had been a small garage without a door. I worked outside a lot when the weather permitted and did my finishing on the knives inside. We sold them out of our living room where we had them displayed in an old antique display case. The case had several coats of paint on it when we purchased it. While refinishing it we found that it was made of beautiful oak wood, which we then finished in its natural state. In 1996 we began building a new shop and store. We designed it to have an 1840's western front with western cedar and brick. The front of our shop is in the background on our home page. Please take the time to tour our website and feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

I will always be forever indebted and greatful to my God and my wonder wife Patricia for her strong support in every way while I have pursued one of my long time dreams. Getting to live a dream doesn't always happen and I am so grateful. I would also like to thank all my friends and those whom I would not have otherwise met but have become my friends.

Richard A. Ramsey

rams@hughes.net