High Carbon

With Albert away, Benjamin Kamon steps in for another episode. We cover the final prep for the Solingen Knife Show , updates on Pauli’s second generation Varnas, and Ben’s plans for the Damasteel DCI . We also get into CNC fixture making, G10 handle scales, Knife Show Austria , The Edge of Hope project , knife numbering, and the usual mix of workshop talk, bad jokes, and technical problems.

Our guest in this week’s episode is one of the youngest bladesmiths in the game: Logan Provence, aka Kuro Senshi Knives. We talk about how he got into bladesmithing at such a young age, what it’s like forging knives in his backyard, fulfilling steak knife orders, and how far you can go with simple equipment and determination. Help support us on Patreon ! Members get access to our "Low Carbon e...

This week we’re joined by Coy Baker for a conversation about Damascus production, Baker Forge’s new stainless Damascus workflow, their "new" massive 750 lb Chambersburg power hammer, custom forge setup, argon purging, pattern testing with clay, and the systems behind running a serious steel production shop. We also get into branding, maker logos, ISO 9000 prep, inventory tracking, the Bake...

This week, we dive into the hidden complexity of Kydex sheaths, from retention and click to carry, balance, and durability. We also talk kitchen knife geometry, leather vs. Kydex, copper Damascus, social media for makers, and the pain of customers complaining about handmade knife prices. A fun, honest episode full of shop talk, hot takes, and plenty of laughs. Help support us on Patreon ! Members...

This week, Jonas of Isasmedjan joins us for a conversation on Kydex sheath development, shop moves, Solingen show prep, stainless etching, and the balance between custom work and small-scale production, before the episode closes with another round of hot takes on forged geometry, knife makers, and questionable handle materials. Help support us on Patreon ! Members get access to our "Low Carbon...

This week on the High Carbon Podcast, we welcome Roman of Kasé Knives from Switzerland for a detailed and insightful episode on performance driven knife making. Roman shares his approach to high hardness blades, exotic steels, and the heat treatment methods that define his work. We discuss edge retention, toughness, grinding practices, sharpening, rare steel sourcing, and the balance between handm...

This week’s episode has a bit of everything, shop updates, Kydex sheath making, crazy carbide price increases, folding knife talk, and plenty of chaos getting the guest connected. Sven Schellander from Messerschmiede Schellander joins the show to share the wild story of a serious work accident just before planned Achilles surgery, and the guys also dive into listener hot takes on Damascus, museum...

Keith and Pauli run a two man show this week, covering Pauli’s updated Varnas design, how customer feedback shapes better knives, new layered G10 options, knife show prep, business growth, outsourcing, and a few spicy listener hot takes. Help support us on Patreon ! Members get access to our "Low Carbon episodes" Raw, uncut, and full of behind the scene conversations about anything and eve...

This week, Hudson Torrens joins the High Carbon Room Podcast after returning from an epic four month trip through Europe, visiting makers, learning new techniques, and working in shops across France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Romania, and the UK. Help support us on Patreon ! Members get access to our "Low Carbon episodes" Raw, uncut, and full of behind the scene conversations about anything...

No guest this week, just pure shop talk and chaos. Keith puts the new white VSM belts through their paces sanding a mountain of stabilized blocks, the crew debates who’s actually going to Solingen, and the hot take inbox is on fire, from “stop buying retail” to clown vomit handles and why fancy Damascus won’t save bad craftsmanship. Then, somehow, it all ends with toilet paper technique, wet wipes...

Fingal Ferguson joins us for another High Carbon episode that bounces from Knife Solingen including a Patreon giveaway (two 2-day passes). A new Anchorage brewery collaboration, plus plans for a matching knife build with a bog iron twist. We also nerd out on power hammers, belts for oily woods, foil vs spray for heat treat, and end up, somehow, talking potatoes again. Help support us on Patreon !...

Back in the High Carbon chaos: we kick off by roasting a product listing with handle colors that change from photo to photo (so, which knife are you actually buying and does it really matter?). Then it’s shop talk, knife bags, and prep for the upcoming Solingen knife show , including a fresh batch of stabilized wood for The Edge of Hope project. We nerd out over an optical center punch for ultra p...

Knife Solingen is back! We’re joined by Sixt Wetzler (Director of the Deutsches Klingenmuseum ) and event manager Andrew Gläser to unpack what happened with the 2025 cancellation, what’s new for 2026 at the Eissporthalle, and how makers, brands, and suppliers get accepted. We also dig into the Knife Awards (jury prize and audience prize), the expanded program with talks, demos, sharpening zone, ma...

With Pauli out sick, we’re joined by Ryan Coakley for a shop talk heavy episode. We trade wild kitchen stories and how chef life translates into knifemaking, then nerd out on grind performance with Albert’s J hook experiments, food release, and sharpening tradeoffs. We also get into batch work, speed, and the handmade vs production spectrum, and then hit podcasting standards, guest booking, and ti...

Gabe Fletcher of Anchorage forge returns with a massive shop upgrade, a rare Beaudry 400 power hammer with a 400 lb (181 kg) ram. We talk about how he found it, the full rebuild and reconfiguration by Kevin Willey, and what it takes to install and tune a five ton mechanical beast. Plus, die setups, why Beaudrys have a “Cadillac” reputation, and a quick dive into protective finishes for etched Dama...

Jeroen from Knippenberg Knives returns for his third appearance to talk about the Netherlands knife makers symposium he organizes, why community focused events matter, and what makers can learn there. We also dig into his “what, how, and why” social media approach, plus the realities of going full time as a knife maker. High Carbon Podcast T-Shirt are back in stock here @ knifematerial.at Help sup...

Dom from DB Blades joins us to talk knife shows, shop workflow, and content. We learn about his new role as treasurer of Australia’s Knife Art Association, plus his simple system for consistent Instagram reels and why he walked away from YouTube with 50k subscribers. He also walks us through his workflow, from water jet blanks and milling to heat treat, surface grinding, CNC handles, and finishing...

With Albert away, Ben Kamon joins us as Pauli opens up about a trip that may have altered his brain for life, and might finally explain some of his controversial hot takes. He went straight into the heart of Chernobyl, the worst disaster in the history of nuclear power generation. Help support us on Patreon ! Members get access to our "Low Carbon episodes" Raw, uncut, and full of behind th...

A late night group chat turns into a full blown debate after Pauly drops a hot take on one of our Patreon exclusive Low Carbon episodes: “People who teach classes aren’t good knife makers.” Albert is not having it, and Pauli sticks by his statement. Help support us on Patreon ! Members get access to our "Low Carbon episodes" Raw, uncut, and full of behind the scene conversations about anyt...

That’s a wrap for this year, and we just want to say a huge thank you for listening, sharing the show, and being part of our journey. Looking forward to another great year of talented guests, and seeing you all at the shows! Help support us on Patreon ! Members get access to our "Low Carbon episodes" Raw, uncut, and full of behind the scene conversations about anything and everything under...

In this week’s episode, we learn the story behind Steel for Good , a global knifemaking collaboration created to help makers stay visible and connected. Philip explains how the teams came together, and why trust matters when your name is going on a blade you did not finish alone. Philip also previews a few standout builds already in progress. Steel for Good is supported by Damasteel , Apex Ultra ,...

Our guest this week is Doc Smith  a cognitive neuroscientist and linguist who also happens to be a part time knife maker. He shares how an inside joke with his wife about smug people with titles ultimately became part of his maker identity, how his early blades barely cut an onion, and how years of trial, grinding, and intuition shaped his signature style. Help support us on Patreon ! Members get...

Master engraver and tattoo artist Chantal Schaschl joins us this week as she takes us into the heart of Ferlach , Austria’s legendary gunsmithing town where she grew up. She shares vivid stories of learning beside her father, finding her footing in a male dominated craft, and shaping her own artistic identity across both engraving and tattooing. Help support us on Patreon ! Members get access to o...

Pauli and Keith are holding down the fort this week while Albert gears up for Christmas markets. Expect unfiltered shop talk, knife making frustrations, and random tangents, as they dig into the day to day realities of running a small business. From production challenges to keeping up with orders, it’s an episode that feels like hanging out in the workshop with friends. Help support us on Patreon...

This week we sit down with Peter Buckwalter from Modern Cooking for an in depth conversation about his recent move back to Sydney Australia. Peter explains to us about adapting to Australia’s stricter knife laws. We also talk about his latest project release, MCX and what’s next for Modern Cooking and the future of high end cutlery. Help support us on Patreon ! Members get access to our "Low C...