Five from the Grinder: Dylan Workman (Workman Knives and Fabrication)

Hey there boys and girl, it is time for another edition of 5 from the Grinder, KNIFE Magazines short-format interview series, where we get a behind the scenes look at the design philosophy directly from the folks making the knives. Today we have Montana Knifemaker and metal fabricator, Dylan Workman – Workman Knives and Fabrication.

If you are maker who would like to be featured yourself in a future 5ftG, visit this link: https://www.knifemagazine.com/want-to-be-featured-on-knifemagazine-com-introducing-5-from-the-grinder/. We had a glitch and lost a couple, so if you have filled it out already but it hasn’t been run, please drop me a line at clay(at)knifemagazine.com and I will bump you to the front of the queue.

So, without further ado, I give you Dylan Workman…

Please introduce yourself and let us know what led you to making/designing knives:

Born and raised in Montana, been making knives for 8 years now, 6 years as a hobby and 2 years full time in Helena MT. Had an interest in blades as a kid, my first knife I ever bought was a cheap 15″ bowie at a local fair in Fort Benton MT when I was 9 years old. My grandpa was the one who made the purchase for me… and I fell in love with knives ever since. But what really fanned the flames to start making knives later on was an applied metallurgy class in college and we forged Damascus blades as a part of the course. We learned heat treating and how steel reacts to heating and cooling. I had no interest in anything “science” until I started making knives and its been my focus to make sure my blades are durable as well as fun to look at and handle.

What knifemaker(s) or designer(s) have had the biggest influence on you? Do you have any mentors?

No one personally mentors me but Curtis Haaland of Freehill Blades and Majime Knives have been my main two inspirations. I have no desire to copy their designs, only to have the same level of their stunning finish work in my work someday.

What is your favorite knife pattern or style from history?

Always like the look of a trailing drop point in my smaller knives. Kukri is by far my favorite design for a short sword. But my goal is to make the “Goblin Cleaver” from the book/movie The Hobbit. I know that’s not historical ,but cool though.

What is the next big thing in knifemaking? / What direction do you see the industry going?

As knivemaking grows as a popular trade the positive side that I have experienced is that it has made me a better knifemaker. Expectations are high and in this day currently people want to invest in quality. It’s made me very picky with my work and has ensured that only my best leaves my forge. The negative side is that market could be a bit flooded and lose some of it’s uniqueness for a time, but it will always be an undying craft. Knifemaking is here to stay and it’s created quite a community.

Is there a knife from your lineup that you feel best exhibits who you are as a knifemaker/designer in terms of design elements, aesthetic or techniques used?

A Copper Go-Mai Damascus Will & Finck replica I made for a local collector is probably my favorite. Copper damascus is challenging enough just to make and that being the first time making it it turned out very well. Definitely want to try to challenge myself. To a fault I typically don’t make much of the same design over and over, there’s just too many awesome designs to pick from!