Forging movement in metal
- Dave forges knives, hammers and specialist tools in carbon steel
- He creates special alloys adapted to the function of the blade he is working on
- The end result is often influenced by improvisation and the way the metal moves
Dave Fortin is a bladesmith and taillandier who forges custom knives and tools from carbon steel. Working from his two sites, a rented historic forge on Île d’Orléans where he welds and forges Damascus steel, and a downtown studio where he shapes and fits blades, he creates functional knives for chefs and tools for workers. Wooden handles are often made of reclaimed materials. “I favour reclaimed Quebec woods which often comes from my farm or from my clients,” he says. Dave builds patterned damask steel by stacking, welding and reworking layers, then combines the blades with wood that has been stabilised through low-pressure resin treatment. The resulting pieces have an ergonomic warmth in their handles that enhances their function.
Interview
- How would you define what you do?
- My real craft is taillandier, meaning I am a specialist in making cutting tools. Knife making is the vast majority of what I do, but I also make hammers and specialist tools as well.
- What is your process for making Damascus steel?
- I stack different alloy steels, weld them in the forge and then stretch, cut, knead and rework the block to multiply the layers. Sometimes I twist the bar before flattening it. The patterns come from how the metal is built and moved.
- Which alloy gives you the most pleasure to work with?
- I prefer carbon steels, the darker tones and especially Damascus, which combines several carbon alloys in one blade. The best steel depends on function and geometry. A machete needs shock resistance while a chef’s knife needs edge retention. Each alloy serves a precise use.
- Where do you begin when creating your objects?
- For custom knives, I draw the design with the client. They combine blade shapes, steel patterns and handle woods from earlier pieces, and we refine the design together, integrating personal materials into the handle. For personal projects, I go directly into the material and I improvise at the workbench.
Dave Fortin is an expert artisan: he began his career in 2005
