Inspired by the Japanese art of swordsmithing, Dave began making knives in 1990. His approach brings together a fusion of cultural and artistic styles from his experiences in Africa, North America, and Asia.
Highlighting the potential for creative transformation in discarded objects, most of his raw material is sourced from worn out tools, farm machinery, and sawmill equipment. Even the softwood charcoal that fuels the forge is made by hand in a charcoal kiln from scrap wood.
Based out of Crossed Heart Forge in central Vancouver Island, Canada, Dave hand forges reclaimed carbon steel into blades, using techniques of the Japanese classical tradition to turn rusty scrap and natural materials into collectable heirlooms.
My goal as an artist is to explore transformative process by creating knives from natural and reclaimed materials. My approach as a craftsman is to work within the creative constraints of the classical tanto form and nihonto handle mounting technology, building on the foundation of 13th century Japanese swordsmithing aesthetic and technique.
日本の刀鍛冶に魅了され、1990年からナイフを作りはじめる。スタイルは影響を受けた、アフリカ、北アメリカ、アジアでの文化とアートの融合。
ナイフや刃物のデザイン、仕上げ方法などは日本式を取る一方、キッチン用品などはアメリカのアーミッシュ（近代以前の生活様式を基本に自給自足の生活をする人たちのグループ）の鍛冶屋から基礎を学んだため、シンプルで素朴なスタイルが多い。
作られる前と後とのギャップを楽しむため、使い古された道具、いらなくなった農耕機具、製材所機器などを再利用して全ての作品が作られている。燃料となる木炭も廃材から手作りでできている。
高炭素鋼を日本の粘土焼き戻し工程を経て、刃物に作り上げている。質の高い刃物とそのユニークなスタイルから人気を得る。現在はバンクーバー島にある工房にて作品製作に励む。
Press & Events
Contact info@islandblacksmith.ca for web or print quality press photos.
Please include a photo credit and link when using photos from the website or press kit.
2023
Jourdan Causey, LA – Blacksmith Photography Project
Sage Learning, Vancouver Island – Field Trip Demonstration
Craig Heritage Park & Museum, Vancouver Island – Artist in Residence
2022
Craig Heritage Park & Museum, Vancouver Island – Railway Days Demonstration
NikkeiTV, Vancouver – Forge visit and interview
Shop Teachers of Nanaimo, Vancouver Island – Professional Development Day Demo/Tour
Craig Heritage Park & Museum, Vancouver Island – Artist in Residence
Neighbours of Qualicum Beach, Vancouver Island – Article
2021
Craig Heritage Park & Museum, Vancouver Island – Crafter in Residence
Craig Heritage Park & Museum, Vancouver Island – Blacksmith Shop interpretive sign design, copy writing
The ForgeCast – EP 123 inspiration of the week (17:26-21:17)
Jordan Wende, Vancouver Island – Short Film
2020
Book Project – 2011-2020 Portfolio: A Decade in Review
Craig Heritage Museum, Vancouver Island – Crafter in Residence
Jordan Wende – Blacksmith Photography Project
Parksville, Vancouver Island – Museum Forge Renovation project
Swordsmith style kajiba installation project wrap up
2019
Jason Hawk – Consulting for the fuigo and charcoal forge seen in Mountain Men Season 8
Mr. Chickadee – Consulting for the forge and fuigo for the Japanese timber frame smithy
Parksville Museum, Vancouver Island – Featured Exhibit
The ForgeCast – EP 28 inspiration of the week (20:00-24:30)
Swordsmith style kajiba and charcoal kiln build project 2018 Fall to 2019 Winter
2018
Jason Hawk – Consulting for the charcoal kiln design seen in Mountain Men S7 E11
Trevor Komori, Vancouver – Short Film
Masters at Work by Marco Kruk, Amsterdam – Curated Video
Men at Work, Italy – Curated Video
Parksville Museum, Vancouver Island – Demonstrator
Knives 2018: The World’s Greatest Knife Book – maker listing
2017
Full Press, Issue II – Video Feature
Parksville Museum, Vancouver Island – Artist in residence
Knives 2017: The World’s Greatest Knife Book – maker listing
2016
GhostRipon, Japan – Tsukimi Tanto – デイブ・フリーゼン – 鍛冶屋
The Old School House Arts Gallery, Canada – Summer artist in residence
Knives 2016: The World’s Greatest Knife Book, Joe Kertzman, ed. – Custom Knifemakers Directory
The Samurai Carpenter, Canada – Video Interview
The Homelab, Canada – Artist Spotlight
MadeFor, Australia – Feature
NoelleFaulkner.com, Australia – Article
2015
The Village Christmas Arts Faire, Qualicum Beach – Scabbard Carving Demonstration & Exhibit
Soul of Steel Documentary, Canada – Studio visit and interview
TV Tokyo, Japan – Studio visit and interview
Only the Road Knows, USA – Article
Art of Blacksmithing & Metal Workers – Curated Videos
Canadian Knifemakers Guild, Canada – Member
Coastal Carvings Gallery, Canada – Multi-artist open house event
Blade Magazine, USA – Knifemaker Profile, May 2015 Issue
2014
Bladesmiths & Blacksmiths – Curated Video
The Art of Timelessness – Article
Whalesong Studio, Nanaimo – Gallery Invitational
Men at Work, Italy – Curated Video
Art of Blacksmithing and Metal Workers – Curated Videos
Canadian Knifemakers Guild, Canada – probationary membership
Man of Many, Sydney – Top Three Artisans
Handmade Men, Australia – Interview (also here)
The Method Case, Spain – Featured Project
Ljudbildspel, Sweden – Curated Video
Verygoodlord, Paris – Du côté de chez Dave, le forgeron
Curated Vimeo – People Making Things
SpellBrand, New York – Made By Hand
BoldJack, Slovakia – Featured Maker Video
Those Who Make, San Francisco – Featured Maker Video
2013
The Owl Designer Fair, Victoria – Sharpening Demonstration & Workshop
Makers of Stria, Vancouver – Featured Maker profile
Kitty Coleman Woodland Gardens, Canada – Juried Artisan Festival
Reclamation Administration, Portland – Featured Knife Project
PechaKucha Blog, Tokyo – Top 5 most watched presentations for August (but watch it here)
PechaKucha.org, Japan – Presentation of the Day, Aug 22 (but watch it here)
The Old School House Arts Centre Artists In Action – Handle Making Demonstration
Craig Heritage Park and Museum Event – Bladesmithing Demonstration
55th Annual Nautical Days, Canada – Juried Exhibit & Demonstration
Qualicum Beach Summer Artisan Market, Canada – Juried Exhibit & Sharpening/Polishing Demonstration
Eyes On BC Magazine, Canada – April Feature Article
Metal Artists in Action Event – Bladesmithing Demonstration
Imadene WOA Conference – Copper Smithing Workshop
PechaKucha Nishinomiya #16, Japan – Guest Presenter
Coastal Carvings – Permanent Gallery Exhibit
2012
Nanaimo Art Gallery – Drift Show
Dahlhausart.com – Studio Visit
Craig Heritage Park and Museum – Blacksmithing Demonstration
The Old School House Arts Centre 100th Anniversary – Bladesmithing Demonstration
Qualicum Beach Summer Artisan Market – Saya Making Demonstration & Exhibit
Coombs 100th Anniversary – Bladesmithing Demonstration
2011
Osaka Municipal College of Design – Guest Lecturer, 1 Semester
Pecha Kucha Nishinomiya Vol.8 Japan fundraiser/relief – Presenter
2001
Barkerville Blacksmith Shop – Guest Blacksmithing Demonstration
1999
Calgary, Alberta – One-on-one Introductory Blacksmithing Teacher
1995
Kensington Heritage Crafts Fair – Blacksmithing Demonstration
1991
Japanese Sword Presentation – Hand Drawn Illustrations
