Melanie Morgan Selected as 2020 Saul Bell Design Award Finalist

Congratulations to Melanie Morgan on her selection as a finalist in the 2020 Saul Bell Design Award! My wife and I first met Melanie years ago in Athens, GA when we were visiting Aurum Studios Gallery in search of the jeweler who would make our wedding bands. Her work spoke clearly to us as we browsed the shop and she happened to be in the back - the studio’s most prized bench jeweler. As clearly as her work spoke to us, her humble nature made for an immediate genuine human connection. We quickly became aware of her creative intuition and felt grateful we’d stumbled upon someone we could trust to make some important decisions.

Needless to say, the rings are perfect and it’s funny looking back because we really didn’t give much guidance for something we’d be wearing for the rest our lives. Melanie’s clear command of fine metals is incredible and her holistic approach in the design and creation of these forever objects made them much more than just objects and more like a talisman or Nkisi. It’s almost as though that because we met and connected, she was able to genuinely create rings that not only fit us physically, but metaphysically too. And it was clear that any work she creates possess this soul.

As time went on, we learned more about Melanie. She’s also a song writer so we went to a show, and instantly became fans of her music too. Somehow, I wound up playing drums in her band and Between Naybors.

We’ve stayed good friends and this February, Melanie came up for a visit. She wanted to finish that knife we had started years ago and it was truly eye opening to see how delicate a process can be. It reminds me that everybody has an approach to their craft that is unique to their perspective, their approach - where they are coming from. In that sense, it’s all about context.

• Visit Melanie’s website!

• Read about Saul Bell and the origins of the award.

• Shop Aurum Studios *be sure to search for Melanie Morgan in their search bar*

Congratulations dear friend. You’re so deserving of this wonderful recognition!

Tom Beckbe / Chris Hastings / Heartwood Forge Collab

When Alabama outdoor clothing purveyor, Tom Beckbe came to visit with James Beard Award Winning Chef Chris Hastings, we all put our heads together to work on some knives and found time to enjoy copious amounts of food together. All photos are shot by William Hereford.

The experience of having such a burgeoning outdoor clothing designer and this top chef in my shop was both extremely hectic and terribly fun. What an honor to work with this team. With that many folks handling so many knives, we definitely lost some blood during their stay here, but we all walked away happy. William and Saint Hereford were a photography dream team. Until next time…

Instagram is a great way to see what we're up to!

We love to share the stories of our daily grind. Ha! Get it? Really, though, Instagram is an incredible platform to share what we love - knives, dogs, ponds, partners, friends, and stories... Click on each image for the story.

2019 Chefs Knife Giveaway

It’s time for the annual chefs knife raffle and I’m excited to announce the arrival of new Heartwood Forge artwork from an old neighbor, Kyle Key. Be sure to check out this Georgia-based artist - he’s an awesome dude and very talented artist that designs board games from the ground up. This year’s round of shirts are only available as raffle entries and are being sold as preorders. 1 shirt = 1 entry, so get your whole family outfitted and don’t forget those Aunts & Uncles! A winner will be drawn and announced on June 16th. Shirts will ship around July 4th.

ABOUT THE KNIFE: This hand forged petty (or small chefs knife) is made from 28 layers of contrasting carbon steel that have been forge welded together (1084 & 15n20). The full tang handle is dressed in Blue Smoke Maple Burl with an Ironwood bolster and micarta pins. This knife is covered by my lifetime guarantee just as though you purchased it as a custom order or from my newsletter.

• 11" overall length

• 6" blade length

• 124 grams

• Includes HWF soft zippered case

• Includes domestic shipping

• Includes lifetime guarantee

HOW TO ENTER: Simple, purchase any quantity of the following new shirts:

• 1984 Mad Forge Shirt (<click link)

• 2019 Heartwood Shirt (<click link)

1984 Mad Forge Shirt

Heartwood Shirt

ABOUT THE SHIRTS Printed using water based ink on American grown, certified organic cotton that has been milled, cut, sewn and dyed domestically. These are my favorite shirts; they are ethically, environmentally sound and they get better with age. Once they're gone, they're gone so get your order in before June 15. Color of shirt is black. Domestic shipping included.

OFFICIAL RULES: Enter as many times as you like. Each shirt ordered counts as an entry.

WHEN IS THE WINNER DRAWN? I’ll draw a winner on June 16th and the winner will be contacted via email or phone once selected. Raffle closes at noon on June 15th. Drawing will be held on June 16th, 2019.

WHEN DO YOU SHIP THE SHIRTS? Shirts will ship when they are back from the print house - who is estimating July 4th.

Heritage Series

As I prepare knives for a long awaited newsletter, I often wonder about who is or isn't being served by my work. Who gets to indulge in the hand made world? There was a point in history that we were all afforded the right to own handmade objects - as they were the only option. We live in a world where I believe the real national deficit is human connection. What connects me to anything else? My food? My land? My animals? It's the human touch. I believe fulfillment is found in this connection and I want to give people the opportunity to NOT go to a box store to purchase their next do-all knife. 

It has always been my intention to make knives by hand from recycled materials that many people can afford and as I've been enjoying my journey in knife making, pushing myself to whatever next level is calling, I am finally in a place to distinguish between different finishes, build qualities, materials and processes. This line of knives takes inspiration from my earliest work, and by stripping down the process, I can sell them for a fraction of the price of my current custom work. 

As I will use scraps from around my shop for the blades and handles, I will not be accepting orders for these knives as they will exist as time and materials allow and they will be available as they are completed.  Drawing on the idea that one day our civilization will be judged based on what we throw out and what we do with our trash, the Heritage Series strives to make resourcefulness a part of our Heritage.  What would future generations think about some of our habits? Let me know your thoughts on this whole idea... drop me email: will@heartwoodforge.com