Celebs Who Forge Custom Knives as Side Projects

The world of Hollywood is filled with actors and musicians who spend their downtime engaging in creative hobbies that are far removed from the red carpet. While some stars prefer painting or collecting cars, a select group has turned to the ancient and gritty art of bladesmithing. These celebrities have either picked up the hammer themselves or collaborated deeply with master smiths to design their own custom edged weapons. From crafting screen-accurate props to launching full-scale cutlery companies, these famous figures have a sharp eye for steel.

Jason Momoa

The star of ‘Aquaman’ and ‘Game of Thrones’ is perhaps the most well-known celebrity currently swinging a hammer in real life. Momoa regularly practices the craft of blacksmithing and often shares his creations on social media under his brand Black Wolf Company. He learned the trade to connect deeper with his rugged roles and has gifted his co-stars with hand-forged tomahawks. His passion for the craft is genuine as he works alongside renowned makers to perfect his grinding and handle shaping techniques.

Nick Offerman

Offerman shares the same love for woodworking and craftsmanship as his character Ron Swanson from ‘Parks and Recreation’. His Los Angeles collective known as Offerman Woodshop produces high-quality wooden goods and custom tool handles. While he primarily focuses on the wood aspect, he collaborates on whittling kits and fine knives that feature his hand-carved scales. He champions the slow and deliberate process of making things by hand including the maintenance of sharp blades.

Zac Brown

The country music superstar is not just a collector but the owner of the knife company Southern Grind. Brown created the brand to offer high-end tactical and survival knives that are made in his own metal shop in Georgia. He is deeply involved in the design and metal specification process to ensure every blade meets his standards for outdoor use. His side project has grown into a respected name in the knife community because of the quality of the steel and machining.

Adam Savage

Best known for his work on ‘MythBusters’, Savage is a maker who can build almost anything including movie-quality swords and knives. He frequently films his process of fabricating blades from scratch using stock removal and heat treating ovens in his famous cave. Savage approaches knifemaking with a focus on historical accuracy and prop replication. His enthusiasm for the metallurgy and chemistry behind a sharp edge inspires millions of makers online.

Brad Pitt

While recovering from a divorce, Pitt found solace in the art of sculpture and began spending time in a studio learning to work with plaster and metal. He studied under artists to learn the physical labor of casting and shaping materials which includes the fabrication of custom tools. His entry into the world of making is more artistic than tactical but involves the same dedication to materials and form found in bladesmithing. Pitt has exhibited his sculptures in museums and continues to refine his skills as a craftsman.

Jesse James

The television personality famous for ‘Monster Garage’ began his career as a bodyguard but made his name as a world-class welder and fabricator. James creates Damascus steel patterns and forges custom knives in his Texas shop when he is not building motorcycles. His understanding of metallurgy allows him to create high-contrast steel that is both functional and visually striking. He considers blacksmithing a therapeutic escape from the pressures of fame and business.

Steve Austin

The WWE legend is an avid outdoorsman who turned his passion for hunting into a collaboration with Cold Steel knives. Austin helped design the Broken Skull series which features folding knives built to his specific requirements for durability and sharpness. He personally tests the blades on his ranch to ensure they can withstand the rigors of field work. His transition from the wrestling ring to knife design highlights his appreciation for practical and reliable tools.

Sylvester Stallone

Stallone has influenced the custom knife world more than almost any other actor through his role as John Rambo. He worked directly with legendary smiths like Jimmy Lile and Gil Hibben to design the iconic survival knives seen in his films. Stallone is a serious collector who understands grind lines and steel composition better than most enthusiasts. His creative input on the blades used in ‘The Expendables’ helped popularize the work of modern custom makers.

Steven Seagal

Seagal has maintained a lifelong obsession with Japanese swords and martial arts weaponry. He has collaborated with top custom makers such as Ken Onion to design large fighting knives that reflect his Aikido background. The actor owns a massive collection of historic blades and has spent decades studying the geometry of the katana. His designs often feature long flowing lines and ergonomic handles meant for tactical application.

Shawn Ashmore

The actor known for his roles in ‘The Boys’ and ‘X-Men’ surprised fans by designing his own folding knife. Ashmore partnered with the knife company Civivi to create a production model called the Guile. He sketched the design himself based on his desire for a distinct and useful everyday carry tool. This project proved that his interest in knives goes beyond mere collecting and into the realm of functional artistry.

James Hetfield

Metallica frontman James Hetfield is a dedicated gearhead who builds custom cars and works extensively with metal. His welding and fabrication skills translate naturally to the world of heavy metal arts and he has a deep appreciation for custom blades. Hetfield often supports knifemakers and engages in the creative process of modifying tools for his workshop. His creative outlet involves shaping steel with fire and electricity much like the forging process.

Joe Rogan

Rogan acts as a massive amplifier for the custom knife industry by constantly discussing blades on his podcast. He collaborates with high-end makers to create exclusive runs of knives that feature his specific preferences for steel and handle material. While he does not hammer the steel himself he is a knowledgeable patron who dictates the design language of his collaborative projects. His deep dives into the technical aspects of metallurgy have educated countless listeners about the craft.

Bear Grylls

The survival expert has put his name and design input onto a vast array of blades produced by Gerber. Grylls draws on his military background and expeditions to determine exactly what features a survival knife needs. He focuses on functionality such as serrated edges and integrated fire starters. His involvement ensures that the tools bearing his name are capable of performing tasks in extreme wilderness environments.

Ted Nugent

Nugent is a hunter who views knives as essential tools for his lifestyle. He has worked with companies like Outdoor Edge to promote and design blades that excel at field dressing game. His knowledge of anatomy and blade geometry comes from decades of practical use in the wild. Nugent advocates for knife rights and supports the craftsmanship of American bladesmiths.

Doug Marcaida

Marcaida is a martial artist and judge on the hit show ‘Forged in Fire’ who designs some of the most lethal blades on the market. He combines his knowledge of Kali and other fighting styles to create knives that are optimized for combat and self-defense. His designs often feature curved blades like the karambit which he has popularized globally. He continues to test weapons with his signature catchphrase to ensure they will perform under pressure.

J. Neilson

As a Mastersmith with the American Bladesmith Society Neilson is a celebrity within the world of forging. He gained mainstream fame as a judge on ‘Forged in Fire’ where he critiques the work of other smiths with brutal honesty. Neilson forges high-performance blades in his shop in the woods of Pennsylvania. His specialty is creating durable Damascus steel that can withstand extreme abuse without failing.

Ben Abbott

Abbott started as a contestant on ‘Forged in Fire’ and won so many times that he eventually became a judge. He is a British historical fencer who recreates ancient swords and weapons with incredible attention to detail. His ability to replicate complex Damascus patterns and handle constructions has made him a star in the maker community. He operates a forge where he produces museum-quality replicas for collectors.

David Baker

Baker is a Hollywood prop maker and weapons expert who specializes in recreating historic arms for television. He judges the historical recreations on ‘Forged in Fire’ and provides insight into how the weapons were originally used. His workshop is filled with period-accurate swords that he builds for various film productions. Baker focuses on the aesthetic details and historical methods that define weapons from different eras.

Tell us which celebrity knife project surprised you the most in the comments.