Icarus Forge

In this week’s interview I have the pleasure to introduce you to Pearce Richardson from Icarus Forge based out of Colorado, USA. I was instantly intrigued by his work; it just leapt from the screen and captured my attention. And that is the beauty of handmade knives, when you make a singular piece, it doesn’t have to be perfect for everyone, it just has to be right for the one.

What sparked your interest in knives?

I’m actually not that interested in knives, knifemaking just kind of happened to be honest; and it keeps on happening. So I’ll continue to seize this adventure as long as it’s in front of me. I am much more interested in the stories that knives capture and tell. They are connection points for many people to key moments in their lives, they can help us remember who we are, where we come from, and who we are meant to be. This is why my commission process is semi-collaborative, I want to take some elements (symbols, places, memories) from my customer’s story and build a design around it.

What inspired you to do this and how did you learn?

The first knives that I made were gifts for the men in my family. I had no idea what I was doing. I used mild steel, the handles were pine wood wrapped in leather cord and coated in shellac with liquid nails for the glue. Then I met Joe O’Neill, a stock removal knife maker that began going to our church. I made my first real knife with him, ’bout six months later I made knives for my dad and father-in-law for Father’s Day and a few months after that I had my first order. And here I am.

When did you start making knives?

2016 was my first knife, I did stock removal fairly part time until 2021 when I started forging and taking this more seriously.

Do you have a favorite knife you made, tell me about it?

My favorite knife is usually the next one. That sounds cliche but I firmly believe we should be seeking to improve in form and craft with each piece. Even with the more mundane builds there’s always something to learn and get better at.

What is the most important aspect of a well-made knife?

Form. This means different things for different knives. If you are making an art knife how well does your knife capture what an art knife should be? If you’re making a chef knife, how well does your knife capture what a chef knife should be? You could have a great heat treat, super steel, razor sharp edge; but if the knife is poorly designed no one will enjoy using it or want to use it. This doesn’t mean those other things aren’t important, but people buy handmade knives for the form first.

What keeps you going?

Depends on the day, ultimately, it’s the hope that the work I do points to something bigger than myself.

Biggest struggle?

Patience and humility. You can never have enough of them, and they’re the most important tools we have.

What kinds of knives do you make?

Every kind- EDC, outdoor knives, kitchen knives, art knives, swords, you name it.

photo credit: JFrasier photography

How did your background affect your approach to knives?

My background is baseball. I learned how to fail, which happens a lot in knife making. This taught me to just keep going even if that means starting over multiple times.

Who helped you early on?

Joe O’Neill, Kyle Royer, Steve Schwarzer, David DelaGardelle.

Who are your influences/inspirations?

Gildo Daros, Jean-Louis Regal, Veronique Laurent, Rodrigo Sfreddo, Kyle Royer, David DelaGardelle.

photo credit: Michael Hatt

How do you think that inspiration (those inspirations) translates into your work?

It’s different for each one of them and each one of them does one or multiple things that I really find beautiful. Gildo has some of the wildest fit-ups I’ve ever seen, and is a very skilled engraver and designer. Jean-Louis and Veronique understand design, form, and flow better than anyone I think. Sfreddo is the one that inspired me to learn how to engrave and do inlay/overlay work. Kyle is probably the best in the world on the technical side, every one of his blades is perfectly executed. And David has one of the coolest and most unique styles out there.

Any specific breakthroughs or revelations in your knife making journey?

You can do anything if you’re patient and humble enough. I’m not that good, just willing to do what it takes, for as long as it takes.

What is the perfect knife?

Still in the process of discovering it.

How do you approach a new concept and that concept’s implementation?

I draw a lot, I use drawing as my way to scrap ideas or build upon elements I like. When I have a design I like, I’ll sit on it for a while maybe make some adjustments here and there before I begin the build. I don’t really believe anyone makes anything new but we discover what something is or could be, so I’m constantly approaching the design process as exploration and discovery rather than trying to do something innovative. If that innovation happens then that’s fine but innovation for innovation’s sake usually is pointless. As far as design goes, I’m always looking at how each line interacts with the lines around it and how it fits into the entire piece, everything should either compliment or encourage the flow of the piece, if any line creates distraction or chaos it needs to be re-directed.

How do you approach knife testing?

I test most of my pieces for edge retention, usually twice through a 2×4 and should still shave hair. But different knives require different tests. I don’t do a chop test with a chef knife for example and for my hunters I’ll carve or chop some bone or antler as a test. Once a process is really dialed in I don’t test as often but still will every once in a while to make sure everything is as it should be. I do always test sharpness, a properly sharpened knife should be able to slice a paper towel cleanly and shave hair, a balance between micro-serrations and a honed edge.

How do you develop a design, select a steel, and fine-tune a heat treatment?

Practice and patience. I’ve found I get better results heat treating in my forge overall. It takes a lot more practice and skill, but the heat control is worth it to me. Most knives I’ll heat treat in the forge but depending on the piece(s) I’ll use my Evenheat oven.

What are your favorite steels to work with?

My favorite monosteel is 80crv2. It’s by far the best performing steel I’ve tested and is fantastic for so many applications from chef knives to swords. For stainless steel I like AEB-L, it can take a very fine edge so performs similar to carbon steel (though not quite as good) with the added benefit of improved corrosion resistance.

How has the knife world changed since you started?

Well I started right when Forged in Fire was big, though I didn’t know about it. Honestly it seems like the knife industry has been saturated and starting to shrink again. Like any industry, those that are good and can make money will continue to do so, and those that aren’t and can’t, will find something else.

What’s up next for you? Any exciting new projects to tell us about?

I am testing for my Journeyman Smith certification in August, then I will be working for a couple of months on a fantasy Viking sword commission.

Want to see more? Head over to his website http://www.icarusforge.com or follow him on his Instagram https://www.instagram.com/icarusforge