About The Knifemaking Podcast Team

Chip is the creator and Host of The Knives Templars Podcast. He has been a craftsman for years who previously made fishing lures professionally. He was featured on ESPN fishing shows, Bassmaster and in Gary Yamamoto's Inside Line Magazines. He has always enjoyed making. In 2019, he finally realized a desire to make knives. He runs his own forge and continues to grow his skills by associating with wonderful makers around the world. You can find his knives at Skjeggmennknives.com. With a desire to promote knife making and under his production moniker, Porkhouse Productions, he also produces The Knives Templars Podcast with bi-monthly shows and also a YouTube Channel, Skjeggmenn Knives.

Jason Fry is a behavior analyst, knifemaker, author, and father of four boys. He was a finalist on Forged in Fire season 5 episode 26. He is a board member of the Knifemakers’ Guild, a member of the American Bladesmith Society, and former president of the Texas Knifemakers’ Guild. Jason is known for incorporating historical elements into his knives. He additionally is a noted author of several books and articles  in leading publications. His Utility Hunter Knife design is produced by White River Knife and Tool .  

You can find him at https://frycustomknives.com

Joshua Foran has always been interested in making things. Starting with playing around with his dad's wire welder and a stick welder that his grandpa built, metal working and fabrication has always been a strong interest. 

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In 2021 Josh went on to compete on the hit History Channel TV show, Forged in Fire. After a 13 month wait the show aired Season 9 Episode 11 called Flip the Forge. Contestants got to choose their challenge for round one and two. The final round involved building a Tibetan sword. Through one of the closest rounds, Josh walked away as Champion due to having better balance.

https://www.joshofalltradesblacksmithing.com/

Erick Rivers is branded under The Rivers Experience. He is a wonderful steward in the knife makers community. Not only is he a craftsman of beautiful knives, he is also a wonderful teacher who spend countless hours providing audio and video instruction for others to learn.  His channel focuses on some of the things he likes to create and some of the experiences that he enjoys. He loves to share what he does and helping others out along the way, so as a result he has tutorial style videos that show builds over the course of several videos. You can find Erick on YouTube at The Rivers Experience, on Instagram at  the_rivers_experience, TheRiversExperience.com and TRE Facebook Group

Marc Vassallo, Co-Host, is  a retired veteran with 33 years of service to our country. He brings an air of enthusiasm, technical knowledge and a desire to own the right tools. He is turning out works of art on his Ameribrade grinder. Needless to say, he is making beautiful knives, and while that is true, we would be remiss to tell him otherwise. As a 2nd Degree Blackbelt in Tae Kwon Do, we want to stay on his good side!  Marc's knives can be viewed on Instagram at VMax Custom Works and the TRE Facebook Group . 

Odacir Pinto is a brilliant knife maker who, in 2024,  passed he first first submission of knives for the Knifemakers Guild.  Originally from Brazil and now living in Maryland, he brings an element of detail into his knives that’s hard to beat. Find him at Pinto Handmade Knives

David Moore, (Big Hands Dave) Guest Co-Host, is  a Bladesports Competitor Sponsored by Pops Knife Supply.  David Moore is a hobbyist Musician, Woodworker, Knifemaker and a Competitor.  During his first year competing he quailfied for the 2019 US National Bladesports Championship where he placed first in the rookie division, third overall and earned a spot to compete in the 2019 World Championship. David lives in Muscle Shoals, Alabama with his wife and two kids. IG #@davidmoore505 @thebighandsdave 

 Emily Casting Crafts is a well known maker of custom knife handle materials and well vetted in the knifemakers community as a vendor you can trust for quality and special designs. At her store you will find many examples of her resin casting abilities. From fish themes to camo patterns to swirls and colors,, she can do any design knife scales with custom details that will perfectly fit your knife! She has great stories, impact and visionary skills that keep knifemaking fun for makers! See her works at https://www.castingcrafts.com/