Matt Harris is a Blacksmith and sculptor in Perryville, Maryland where he has a studio and company specializing in architectural forgings and Sculpture called Matthew Harris Studio. Matt builds beautiful railings, gates and residential ironwork that range from classic to more sculptural and you can see the connection and his personal style. Creating movement and flowing lightness is a theme in both his upwardly billowing sculpture “undulate” outside the Dansko distribution center as well as a re...
May 06, 2022•1 hr 37 min•Ep. 102
Matt Parkinson is a Bladesmith and Swordmarker, of Dragons Breath Forge in Wolcott, Connecticut, a ABS Journeyman Smith and the first ever Forged in Fire Champion. We had a great time talking about how he got his start and his love of swords. His experience building them and how knowing the history has given him a unique perspective on famous swords and how to spot fakes. We talked about what forging is and the misconceptions, how he came into teaching and embarrassing moments at renaissance fai...
Apr 29, 2022•1 hr 43 min•Ep. 101
For Episode 100 I hade my original Podcasting partner back. Niko Tavernise and I had a podcast 12ish years ago called “The Downward Spiral” where we’d catch up on what we’re doing- Niko is a Set photographer in the film industry and has a unique perspective on Hollywood. Then we’d spiral; I roam the Internet looking for weird stories of depravity and we’d dissect them. Recently the ones I find the most fun are about smugglers and what they go through to get their contraband across boarders. This...
Apr 22, 2022•1 hr 35 min•Ep. 100
Description: Jesse Savage of Savage Forge returns to talk about the past. Jesse is one of my good friends and is not only a great blacksmith, but is a wealth of knowledge on the history of blacksmithing, anvils and an instructor at The Center for Metal Arts. He’s also a founding member of the 7 blue ribbon championship forging team “The Modern Forge”. We had a great time catching up about our time at CMA, how the history of forging has changed and what’s to come. The shift in technology has chan...
Apr 15, 2022•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 99
Aaron Gough of Gough Customs returns to talk about the future. Aaron is a knifemaker who’s direction is very tied into technology and CNC, I wanted to compare and contrast our specific directions and it was fun. We talked about the future of making, “the singularity” and what the hell “Post Scarcity” is. Its always fun catching up with Aaron who’s a huge influence on many knifemakers with some of the most complete and informative Youtube videos on knifemaking . Thanks again Aaron its always a go...
Apr 08, 2022•1 hr 40 min•Ep. 98
It’s very rare when I get to record a podcast from anywhere but my shop; I’m usually speaking to a guest remotely from the comfort of my Jeep recording booth. I had the honor of teaching a weekend workshop at The Center for Metal Arts in Johnstown, PA and after having the pleasure of podcasting with CMA’s executive director Pat Quinn before, it seemed appropriate to bring a travel mic and get some new perspective. What a great opportunity! We recorded early in the morning, right before I started...
Apr 01, 2022•1 hr 34 min•Ep. 97
Ben Paik has a fascinating story. Growing up a popular kid in a rural town in Korea, his parents immigrated to California where Ben had to figure out how to start over in an American High School speaking little to no English. It wasn’t easy. What lead him to being a maker is a tale of redemption and reclamation of human spirit. Finding used and broken skateboards as the material of choice, Ben glues then together to form blocks and mills them down to make useable lumber for various projects; fro...
Mar 25, 2022•1 hr 52 min•Ep. 96
Lin Rhea is a Master Bladesmith from Prattsville, Arkansas and one of the most innovative knife makers in the game today. After years as a Bladesmith and earning the ABS ‘Master’ designation he became very involved with the Historic Arkansas Museum as the Resident Blacksmith. The nature of the position gave him access to research about classic blacksmithing techniques, which lead him to the doorstep of Peter Ross, one of America’s leading blacksmiths. Learning colonial blacksmithing techniques f...
Mar 18, 2022•1 hr 34 min•Ep. 95
THE DOWNWARD SPIRAL RIDES AGAIN!!! If you’re reading this and wondering: “What is this all about?” Stop everything and go back through the Archives of The Full Blast Podcast and listen to the previous eps labeled “Downward Spiral”. Over 12 years ago Niko Tavernise (Hollywood set photographer to the stars) and I started a podcast called the ‘Downward Spiral’ where we would catch up in the first half and then read weird stories and analyze the ridiculous. Niko’s back and we caught up, talked a lit...
Mar 11, 2022•1 hr 42 min•Ep. 94
If you ask most people in the knife making community to create a list of influential contemporary bladesmiths, it’s hard for me to believe Salem Straub wouldn’t be high in the mix. His style and execution of complicated mosaic, Damascus knives are easily recognizable for the crisp contrasts, intricate patterns and thoughtful decisions. The multi pattern construction also gives purpose to the compound grinds making all the decisions very very well thought out. This got us talking about the future...
Mar 04, 2022•1 hr 53 min•Ep. 93
My friend Derek from Malden is one of the kindest people I’ve met. He’s a maker in Massachusetts who came into his own later in life after recuperating from an injury, when his son suggested he watch DIY videos on Youtube. The story of how he met Jimmy Diresta, struck up a friendship and activated something in him he wasn’t sure he had has now lead him to being on a new Netflix Show called “Making Fun” coming out March 4th. The sincerity, candor and honesty from Derek is plain to see as he tells...
Feb 25, 2022•1 hr 47 min•Ep. 92
James Fleming is a US Army combat Veteran who is now a full time Bladesmith in Iowa. We had an interesting conversation starting off talking about how our upbringing and relationships with our parents influence our parenting now. We touched on James’s early days leading him into military service and the difficult transition into civilian life and ultimately becoming a Bladesmith. James has a frontier style and one of the things he makes is a war club that was influenced by muskets, which lead to...
Feb 18, 2022•1 hr 56 min•Ep. 91
Description: Joe Maynard is a retired Army Helicopter who has served his country proudly for 20 years. After finding the love of knife making at a tough time in his life Joe helps others and gives back by traveling around in his mobile forge to show people how knife making can be a rewarding pursuit. We talked about his time flying and made the connections between his former life in the army and how it translates into his voyages around the country today. We also covered his time as a contestant...
Feb 11, 2022•1 hr 57 min•Ep. 90
Stephanie Hoffman is an accomplished welder, instructor, and the face of the American Welding Society. She has a fabrication shop on the Jersey Shore, where she grew up called Underground Metalworks; and it didn’t all come without a price. The beginning of her welding career wasn’t easy as she faced obstacles that she had to overcome; she was overlooked and not welcome in an industry that she loved but she never gave up. Her experience is extraordinary and the good she is doing by ushering young...
Feb 04, 2022•1 hr 51 min•Ep. 89
Keith Mitchell is a woodworker who studied boatbuilding and learned the traditional way of boat design to become a Shipwright. His experience at school, learning these classic techniques informed his methodology and changed the way he views being a craftsman. The preparation of timber as well as the calculation and prediction of steam bending wood perfectly has very parallel philosophies to blacksmithing and it was a very enlightening conversation connecting crafts. Keith is an extremely talente...
Jan 28, 2022•1 hr 55 min•Ep. 88
My buddy John Erianne, AKA @sunsetforgenj on instagram, came in for a catch up which is always fun. We talked a lot about hammer making and what’s the right hammer for you. We also decided which styles hammer are overrated, underrated and perfectly rated. It is crazy to me the general public has very little understanding of how people who forge see hammers as tools of creativity as opposed to destruction and we talked about that a lot. I’ve learned a lot about hammer making from John and always ...
Jan 21, 2022•1 hr 56 min•Ep. 87
Jessie Uyeda is one of my favorite people to talk to and it’s a great omen to start the year strong with this champion on the podcast. We talked about what she’s working on out in Joshua Tree, her approach to her Youtube channel and what “Toil ASMR” is. I really appreciate Jessie’s perspective on things and just listening to her views on life, Alec Baldwin and the state of social media. Thanks for coming on the podcast Stud you rule. - GF Links: Follow Jessie on Instagram: https://www.instagram....
Jan 14, 2022•1 hr 59 min•Ep. 86
Josh Radnor is an Actor, Director, singer/songwriter and my Kenyon College classmate. You may know him from his films ‘Happythankyoumoreplease’ & ‘Liberal Arts’ or as Lonny Flash on the Amazon series ‘Hunters’ and of course as Ted Mosby on the smash CBS sitcom ‘How I Met Your Mother’. I know him from 3rd floor McBride, the freshman year dormitory we lived in at Kenyon College. This was an extremely interesting look at the ongoing career of a successful Hollywood actor from the standpoint of ...
Jan 07, 2022•1 hr 43 min•Ep. 85
I wanted to originally call this episode “The Full Blast New Year’s Show with Noah Vachon”, but we really just had a good time talking and catching up it didn’t matter that it was the end of the year. When you talk to Noah Vachon, it’s a totally easy and engaging conversation that the “end of the year wrap up” plans were thrown out the window; so is that goofy title. Noah graciously returned to the show and it was fascinating to see how his experience as a guitar builder informed his methodology...
Dec 31, 2021•1 hr 58 min•Ep. 84
Everyone’s favorite lunatic, Fingal Ferguson is back to hang out with me on a Christmas episode. We talked food and life on Gubeen, the family farm during this high octane food holiday. Fingal is fantastic and the time soared as we recounted our own Christmas stories and life in general. FF has an open door policy and we had some nice words for our beautiful and talented Maker community on this joyous holiday. Sit back relax and enjoy your family and friends. See you next week and Merry Christma...
Dec 24, 2021•1 hr 56 min•Ep. 83
Alex Pole is a Blacksmith and published author of the beautiful cookbook: ‘The Forge Kitchen’ and his newest book: ‘Blacksmith: Apprentice to Master’. We had an awesome time catching up and talking about both books which really captures Alex’s voice. The Cookbook is beautifully shot with each recipe created by a chef that is inspired by cookware from Alex’s shop The Forge. Using forged steel to connect with food is such a primal idea that seems ironically unique. Of course back in the day that’s...
Dec 17, 2021•1 hr 56 min•Ep. 82
Niko Tavernise your friendly neighborhood set photographer returns for another installment of “The Downward Spiral Podcast”. DSP is a podcast Niko and I started 10+ years ago and now when he’s free we bring back the days of talking about our lives sprinkled with stories of mankind’s depravity and finding the humor in it. (Definitely check out the previous episodes in the Full Blast archives) This week we talked about some of the films Niko has been on, answered a question or two, talked about so...
Dec 10, 2021•1 hr 59 min•Ep. 81
Pat Quinn is the Executive Director of Center for Metal Arts in Johnstown PA and has returned to the podcast in time to talk about the release of the new 2022 classes available at CMA. Besides talking about the school we had an engaging conversation about forging, sculpture and what Pat is focusing on in his life’s work. The eloquence and passion Pat exudes is inspiring and makes you want to spark up the forge and get some steel in the fire. Dedication, discipline and striving for excellence bec...
Dec 03, 2021•1 hr 54 min•Season 1Ep. 80
This is the second annual Black Friday Special with 2 of my favorite people. Jonathan Porter of Doghouse Forge and Ben Snure Return for Cowboy Talk, the current price of Rattle Snake Antidote and the shocking origin of everyone’s favorite insult and obscenity. My favorite part of radio growing up were shows that went on during a holiday so these are my favorite podcasts to do. Ben and Jonathan are terrific and I appreciate their good cheer and friendship. I’m very thankful to you the listener an...
Nov 26, 2021•1 hr 56 min•Ep. 79
Brian House is a maker who sold his computer business to put all his efforts into his new Grinder Business: Housemade Industrial. Home of the Revolution Project. He’s also a knifemaker, YouTuber and host of the Work For It Podcast on the Makers Network. We had a great time when he first came on and I’m glad he made it back. We talked about a lot of things and had a fun time as always. I’m fascinated by his positivity and focus even as he moderates the wildly popular Facebook Group: DIY Belt Grin...
Nov 19, 2021•1 hr 58 min•Ep. 78
At the age of 19, Josh Smith was the youngest person to get the Mastersmith designation from the American Bladesmith Society. Now he is the President of Montana Knife Company, one of the fastest growing production knife companies in the United States. The ground swell of support in the hunting world is a testament to the belief people have in Josh and the person that he is. Knife drops selling out in less than 2 minutes is now the norm for MKC and the demand has led customers to excitement and f...
Nov 12, 2021•1 hr 58 min•Ep. 77
Steve Pellegrino is a knifemaker and owner of Pellegrino Cutlery in Philadelphia. We had a great conversation meandering around in his early love for rocketry and what it’s like having Jimmy Diresta as a professor at the School of Visual Arts. From starting a stage fabrication shop in New Jersey to being an Apprentice at a straight Razor company in Portland, Steve has seen a lot and has had his share of hard knocks; not to mention his most recent scare in a freak car accident. I’m convinced the ...
Nov 05, 2021•1 hr 39 min•Ep. 76
Tomer Bother and his wife Noam created the iconic company Florentine Kitchen Knives and have solidified themselves as having one of the most recognizable designs in the custom knife world. The lines, colors and design decisions didn’t come from no where. Tomer’s days in industrial design school gave him the foundation of considering the important direction in product design: ‘Form follows Function’. How Tomer started down the road of knife making is a story of redemption, coming back from failur...
Oct 29, 2021•1 hr 50 min•Ep. 75
Onur Caglar and Ben Snure are back for another fun filled episode. Both guys are super talented makers from totally different sides of the world who have a similar sensibility that transcends borders. We talked shop a little and went in to a list of awful jobs, dumb criminals and funny stories. I love having these guys on just to laugh and get nothing done…zero….its the best, we just laughed and let it loose. The best. Thanks again for making the effort gentlemen. It’s always fun. Links: Follow ...
Oct 22, 2021•2 hr 1 min•Ep. 74
After a big weekend at Catskill Mountain Makers Camp, the Modern Forge Team is back with the entire roster: Cliff Dufton, John Erianne, Jesse & Carrie Savage. We talked about all the fun we had, people we saw, and projects we worked on. It was a great weekend and we also covered what we’d do differently next time. There was a lot of chop busting and we had a terrific time. Many thanks to all the people who made it a success especially Austin Handel and his crew at Black Thorne resort, Chris ...
Oct 15, 2021•1 hr 47 min•Ep. 73
