Debbie Snapp
ECB Publishing, Inc.
Spencer Taylor is a longtime resident of Jefferson County and is an experienced, self-taught blacksmith and bladesmith. He's been making knives for about five years now and has made over 750 knives to date; Taylor sells many of the knives he creates.
He was the guest speaker for the Monticello Kiwanis Club meeting on Wednesday, March 18 and spoke to the membership and their guests about his “hobby.”
He gave an explanation and demonstration of his handiwork. He also brought a knife he crafted for auction after his presentation.
He shared that he has always been intrigued by the art of blacksmithing. He discussed how to forge weld cable Damascus and how he uses whatever materials he has on-hand for the knife handles.
His knives are very, very sharp and start at a cost of $10 per inch. His auctioned knife was won by the bidder for $70 - making a tidy donation to the hosting club.
Through a slide presentation, he gave a step-by-step presentation that showed how he works metal into a knife, from beginning to end.
He begins with the cable preparation and a three pound hammer to flatten the metal, then continues with a first forge welding, a redial compression, to the forming of the metal, sharpening a knife blank, and the stages of formation. All of this work is done with fire and heat that ranges from 1,900 to 2,000 degrees.
Taylor graduated from Aucilla Christian Academy and continued his education at North Florida Junior College, before receiving a degree in Industrial Arts from Florida State University.
He was a shop teacher for 32 years for the Brooks and Lowndes County School Districts, where he taught drafting, welding and metal fabrication, among other skills.
You must be logged in to post a comment.