MEET THE MAN BEHIND THE FORGE

Greetings,

I'm Caleb Tranchita, a seasoned bladesmith with a decade of forging experience. Originally from Ohio, I now reside in the captivating Upper Peninsula of Michigan, often referred to as God's country. As both a collector and craftsman, I specialize in crafting distinctive knives, axes, and hatchets, focusing on the rugged aesthetic of woodsmen style blades.

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I take pride in creating tools that aren't just aesthetically pleasing but are meant to be used and withstand the test of time. While I can certainly craft items with a touch of elegance, my true passion lies in producing functional pieces that are built to endure the rigors of real-world use.

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What sets my creations apart is the narrative woven into each piece. The steel I utilize often has a rich history, sourced from slab springs of vintage vehicles like the Model T, blades from ancient lumber mills, and discarded "junk" transformed into treasure. High carbon steel also finds its place in my repertoire. Each blade undergoes a rigorous testing process, allowing the metal to speak its story before I add the final touches.

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Handle materials range from wood, antler, bone, and steel to a few carefully guarded "secret" elements. To complement these handcrafted blades, I offer custom sheaths meticulously crafted by an Amish harness maker in Ohio. My axes and hatchets breathe new life into tools from bygone eras, reinvigorated for modern use.

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Whether you have a specific vision or need guidance, I'm here to turn your ideas into a one-of-a-kind blade. Open to barter and trade, I encourage those with unique materials to envision their own heirloom piece in collaboration with me. Custom orders are crafted with care upon receiving your request, and you can also explore ready-to-ship pieces from my current inventory. Trust me to bring craftsmanship, history, and artistry to the forefront of your blade collection.