Charles Wallingford, BladeSmith

Charles Wallingford is a knifemaker or better yet a bladesmith. He works in the style that would be found on a frontiersman of the 18^th or 19^th Century. Charles and I have had a couple of conversations about his knife making…

How long have you been involved in black powder?
Charles: I was first introduced to muzzle loading rifles in 1968. I shot with the Kentucky Longrifles club in Morehead, Kentucky. My job required a move to Northern Kentucky in 1971. That is when I first met Jack Rouse. Jack taught me the rifle building sequence that I use to this day. Since those early days of my life, I have built several rifles that are still shot regularly. I also built a rifle that hangs in the ward room of the Ohio Class Submarine, USS Kentucky. That was a thrill to take it to Groton, Connecticut and hand it to the Captain of the boat.

How did you go from building flintlock rifles to building knives?
Charles: In the early eighties I became interested in the knives that Joe Keesler built. At first I would remove the steel until I got the blade shape I wanted. And then I attempted to forge some blades. It wasn’t until I paid a visit to Hershel House’s place that I finally got on the right track. I have been fortunate to have watched Hershel on numerous occasions do his magic with the hammer.

I am blown away by the look and heft of your knives. What are your design criteria?
Charles: I try to build knives that could have been used in the 18^th and 19^th century. I don’t make exact copies of any particular knife but rather a knife that is usable and comfortable to the hand with the old, well-kept look. I use carbon steel, primarily 1084 and spring steel from old hayrakes, and only natural materials for handles. I make my own hand stitched sheaths for each knife unless I have someone do a quilled sheath for a special order.

You supposedly retired in 1999; are you busy? (If you know Charles, you will recognize this bit of sarcasm!)
Charles: I do attend several events each year. Friendship, Ft Frederick, MD, the CLA show and most recently the 18^th Century Artisan Show in Lewisburg, PA. I still build a rifle on occasion but my knife business is my primary focus since my retirement in 1999.

I am a member of the American Bladesmith Society, NRA, NMLRA , and past President of Kentucky’s Corps of Longriflemen.

What separates a bladesmith from a typical knife maker is not only the result, but the process. Note in the picture above Charles is beating a blade out of a hayrake! Charles’ cartouche is a CW in an oval.

Click to see Charles’ website for additional pictures and information.

Thanks for reading,

Rick Sheets

Click on a picture to see a larger version.