We were lucky to catch up with Jacob Christian recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jacob, appreciate you joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

My journey into blacksmithing began with a simple yet ambitious project: digging a hole in my backyard to build my own forge. I buried a pipe in the dirt to create airflow and repurposed old oak pallets as fuel. At just 16 years old, I crafted my first knife from a railroad spike. Since then, I’ve dedicated myself to learning and perfecting my craft.

Growing up with a passion for hunting, I became well-acquainted with knives—understanding their use, sharpening, and maintenance. By making my own knives, I gained the ability to control every detail and customize them to meet specific needs. The world of knives is vast, with an endless array of steels, each offering its own unique characteristics.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Besslen Bladeworks specializes in crafting custom knives with a focus on wootz steel, the legendary material hailing from ancient Damascus, Syria. Once believed to be a lost art, the process of creating wootz steel has been revived by a dedicated group of enthusiasts. After extensive research and numerous trial-and-error attempts, I am proud to have successfully mastered this remarkable technique.

Wootz steel is renowned for its exceptional edge retention and the striking, water-like patterns it displays. Unlike pattern-welded Damascus, wootz steel is a homogeneous material that is melted down into an ingot. Through precise forging techniques and controlled temperatures, the excess carbon in wootz steel forms distinctive bands of cementite.

Today, fewer than 50 smiths worldwide possess the skill to produce the exquisite watered patterns reminiscent of swords from 600 years ago. Being part of this exclusive group and sharing my creations with others is a privilege for which I am deeply grateful.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

When I first embarked on my knife-making journey, I was only two years in when I decided to take a break to attend college. I spent six years pursuing my education, earning a bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems and a master’s degree in Business Administration. Upon completing my studies, I returned to knife making with renewed passion and seamlessly picked up right where I left off.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

When I first ventured into working with wootz steel, I faced a daunting challenge. With limited information and no mentors to guide me, I invested a significant amount of money into charcoal and various types of steel to produce my initial ingots. It wasn’t until around my tenth ingot that I managed to successfully forge a blade.

While ten ingots might not sound like an excessive number, each one required an entire day for preparation and melting. The subsequent forging process spanned several days, and often the ingots would crumble under the hammer. Compounding the difficulty, I was forging these ingots entirely by hand, and wootz steel does not yield easily to the hammer. Despite the hardships, each setback taught me valuable lessons and ultimately contributed to my success.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.wootzsmithforum.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/besslenbladeworks/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BesslenBladeworks
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@besslenbladeworks

Image Credits

Jacob Christian