Black Cat Metal

We all have inspirations. I have always been captivated by the inspirations that move a person through life. One inspiration for me was a podcast with the man behind Black Cat Metal, that inspiration led me, among other things, to decide to start interviewing knife makers. I am excited to share a window into his story with you.

To start off, please tell us a little about yourself.

Hi! I am Chris Green, from Calgary, Alberta Canada. I have been a full-time bladesmith for nearly fifteen years.

What sparked your interest in knives?

Honestly it was Conan the barbarian, the original with Arnie.

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

Before getting into knives, I practiced archaeology, and I hold a master’s degree in it. I was introduced to blacksmithing through archaeology.

When did you start making knives?

I made my first knife around 10 years ago. I had been forging steel for around five years at the point, So I figured it would be a fun diversion!

What did you make your first knife with?

I used a small hunk of a leaf spring, some hickory for the handle and I found some aluminum pins to secure everything together.

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

That’s a tough question, I wouldn’t even know how to choose as I find components on each knife that speak to me. I made a kitchen knife years ago that was clad in wrought iron, with a high carbon core, it had a blackwood handle and an integral bolster. Seeing it completed brought me to tears, I couldn’t believe I had made something so beautiful! 

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

Great question! To me knives are functional art and need to be viewed as such. They must be the perfect union of form and function. There must be visual balance and reference points from tip to butt, everything must complement each other.

You mention the relationship of form and function, art to me is emotive, are there any specific feelings that you either want to evoke in your work, or that you would like your work to evoke in others?

In my most humble way I enjoy the sense of wonder that I see on people’s eyes when they see my work. I still get it myself sometimes, it’s hard to believe that I make these beautiful things that move people and inspire them; to see a beautiful object and wonder what it would be like to use it, this is what excites me and keeps me creating.

What keeps you going?

The challenge of creating functional art is addictive. With each piece I try and improve some aspect of my creations. Trying new materials, different profiles, finding new inspirations, I have been on a fish inspired streak for some time now! 

Biggest struggle?

As a full time maker I have always found time management my biggest struggle. If I am not working on my own projects I am teaching bladesmithing and blacksmithing workshops, and these days that’s quite popular.

What kinds of knives do you make?

I enjoy the challenge of integral knives of all sorts, the more metal the better! 

How did your background affect your approach to knives?

Archaeology introduced me to forging and the craft of blacksmithing. At the time I never saw myself picking up the craft. But after becoming a father things began to change for me. Watching Conan the barbarian introduced me to taking raw materials and transforming them into something useful and beautiful. Truly the riddle of steel compels me!

Who helped you early on?

One of the biggest influences on my career was from Frank Turley, he was one of the first to offer lessons in forging in North America. I still use his teachings today. But it was Shaun Cunningham of front step forge in Edmonton that first put a hammer in my hand.

Who are your influences?

I worked with Tim Cisneros out of San Francisco. Tim had a big artist influence on me by introducing me to form and function. I worked with David Lisch a few years back and he really elevated my view on what a knife could be and how to make them.

What other knife makers out there impress you these days? Do you take inspiration from anyone else in the field?

I have always been inspired by the work of Adam Desrosiers of Alaska and Songrit Mawan from Thailand. Their integral pieces really speak to me, there is a such a flow and beauty to them. Form and function is first and foremost in their work.

Any specific breakthroughs or revelations in your knife making journey?

For me the biggest thing was realising that I am in the retail business. Yes, I am artist, but if I have inventory I got to move the inventory!

What is the perfect knife?

Depends on the intended function of the blade. There are some amazing knives out there and as long as the union of form and function is followed we are good.

How do you approach knife testing?

Destructively! I hack and slash and bend and chop, if it fails at any point it wasn’t a good knife. But hacking moose antler is a favourite of mine.

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

My designs develop as I work, I let my materials speak to me and inspire my pieces. I don’t often sketch things out before I start I build the piece in my mind and work everything as the project progresses.

What do you like about different steels?

I primarily work in high carbon steels and dabble in stainless. My all time favourite steel is w1. It’s still one of the only steels I can get in large enough pieces to create my integral knives.

How has the knife world changed since you started?

Technology is finally catching up with our imaginations! We are reaching a stage where we can build what we imagine!

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

I am always looking for new inspirations! Lately I have found it in paintings by Vincent van Gogh, Lawren Harris, and Claude Simard. I am excited to bring knives these knives to life!

Tell me a bit more about how being inspired by these artists translates for you in such a different medium?

When looking at these other artists I see textures, emotions, movement! These are things that inspire me, and Inspiration can come from any direction; I feel as an artist I have to be open to these forms of inspirational experiences. Steel is my canvas after all!

For more information on Chris’ work, or his blacksmithing classes check out his website https://www.blackcatmetal.com/ or follow him on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/black.cat.metal/