We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Patrick Smith a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Patrick , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?

We have had our “forge” going on 19 years. Once Patrick began forging knives to sell it was time to give the forge a name so customers could easily find and recognize us. One of our favorite spots on our land is where the creek runs through. The name of this creek is Cole Creek. Cole Creek Forge flowed off the tongue!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Patrick is a full time Certified Journeyman Farrier by trade, but also a full time bladesmith. Early in his horseshoeing career, Patrick would often compete in horseshoeing/forging competition and loved the forging aspect of being able to create something from nothing with just a hammer, anvil, and forge.

His love of forging had him trying his hand at making many things, one of which was a knife. He dabbled with knife making on and off for a few years, but really started taking it more serious around 2018. Like horseshoeing, Patrick always strives to do the best work he can, and that is no different with his knives.

Patrick has accumulated an extensive library of books, attended clinics and seminars, as well as, worked with master bladesmiths and the like, to further his knowledge and ability to forge a quality product.

In 2022, Patrick decided to share his love of forging with others. He now offers a variety of classes. Intro to Blacksmithing, Railroad Spike Knife Class, and a two day Bladesmithing class (make your own hunter/skinning style knife).

Cole Creek Forge, LLC is a family operated business. While Patrick is busy forging knives, his wife Jennifer is busy with leather making sheaths (typically per request). The kids even join in helping out during classes.

Here at Cole Creek Forge, LLC all Damascus is made in house by Patrick. All knives are hand forged to shape. The shop is equipped with a specific oven made for annealing, hardening, and tempering blades at correct temperatures specific to each steel type.

Cole Creek Forge, LLC specializes in EDC (everyday carry size) knives which typically range from 5.5″-7″ long, which pairs well with a pancake style sheath for comfortable daily wear. Patrick also has forged many hunting, bird and trout, chef, and filet style knives, as well as general purpose kitchen knives and bowie type blades.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Social Media is all about keeping your audienced attention. We currently use Facebook as our main outlet, mostly because that is where our biggest following is at. We try to post often and mix up the material being posted such as items for sale, class pictures, informational tips, schedules, and random pictures. We have offered free product giveaway drawings for people sharing our page.

Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?

All products leaving our shop are hand forged. We have suppliers we purchase materials (such as steel, pins, liners, glue, handle stock) from, but aside from that all damascus is made “in house”, all blades are handforged, and all sheaths are made by Jennifer.

Contact Info:

• Website: Colecreekforge.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063748653327&mibextid=ZbWKwL