This Is What I Do
Embark on a journey with Sam Gleeson in West Clare, Ireland, a bladesmith crafting culinary knives with a fusion of traditional blacksmith skills and precision furniture-making artistry.
Edition One Feature (September 2020)
Words by: Sam Gleeson
Location: West Clare, Ireland
Photo Credits: ©Marta Faye @martafay
I’m a bladesmith – essentially a knife maker specialising in culinary knives – who combines traditional blacksmith skills and the eye of a precision furniture maker. I was introduced and guided into the field by renowned knife maker and chef Fingal Ferguson, who is a close friend. I’ve since worked with some key UK makers to further my skills. Since starting my business two years ago, I have seen it explode – there is now a waiting list of over 12 months for my work, and it sells nationally and internationally.
The knives are all about the materials and the story that they hold. I use forge-welding techniques to blend and twist steels together to create Damascus and San Mai blades, with the finest high carbon steels sandwiched between recycled, salvaged and found materials. In the past, I have used a 100-year-old wrought iron cartwheel rim, old whiskey barrel straps, a storm-damaged limb from a 70-year-old apple tree and a 300-year-old wind-felled oak from Ballymaloe House. All are combined to create functional yet beautiful everyday tools.
