Every story has a beginning.

I made my first knife at age 16. It wouldn’t hold an edge and it looked unrefined, but I made it with my own hands. I was proud of that knife, and I still have it to this day. Fast forward 17 years later when I decided to give it another go with a bit more knowledge and understanding of metal.  

There is something raw about transforming a bar of metal into a functional piece of art. Along the way you get to play with fire, hear the ping of the hammer on the anvil, practice metallurgy, make sparks fly off the grinder, use precision instruments, and give attention to detail to turn out a beautiful, functional tool. The process is exciting. 

From about 2013 to 2020, bladesmithing was a hobby/side gig until my retirement from the Marine Corps when I was able to take it on full time. In 2016 I took the American Bladesmith Society Introduction to Bladesmithing class under Jim Crowell, ABS Master Smith, and I’ve been studying under Jim and attending ABS Hammer-Ins ever since.

In 2018 I was asked to compete on the History Channel television show, Forged in Fire. It was an amazing experience that pushed me to learn more and try new things. It was humbling to walk away the Forged in Fire champion for season 6, episode 24 – The Boar Sword.  

At Bladeshow Atlanta 2022, I tackled the most nerve wracking challenge to date - even more so than Marine Corps boot camp or competing in Forged In Fire. I submitted my Journeyman Smith knives to be judged, and I am happy to say I now have that J.S. stamp to mark my knives.

In April of 2023 I became co-owner of Arkansas Knife Shop in Conway, Arkansas where we carry custom knives from makers across the U.S. plus American manufactured folders and survival gear.

I enjoy hearing and seeing the ways the knives I make are being used by my customers. I don’t wish to create dust collectors. My goal is to create attractive, reliable, and functional knives that people enjoy using.

—
Jonathan Caruso
ABS Journeyman Smith, Retired U.S. Marine, Forged in Fire Champion, and Co-owner of Arkansas Knife Shop