Handmade by:
Don Carlos Andrade
Greetings and welcome to my new website!
This website was created to document my apprenticeship as a knifemaker. My primary focus is in creating chef and camp knives. One-of-a-kind hand-forged cutlery has captivated me for many years and I am blessed to now be making knives after many years of study and collecting.
Forged knives are interesting to me because of the forming process. The possibilities of manipulating metal while hot seem endless. I am inspired to create beautiful cutlery by using simple hand held tools and I enjoy working in a slow and meditative manner.
The traditional chef knives of Europe, France and Japan are intriguing to me and I have taken on the challenge of forging some of my own adaptations of these traditional patterns. Camp knives are a blast to create and I have come to realize that just about any style and size knife can be a "camp knife".
I forged my first knife under the direction of master metalsmith
Tai Goo, and continue to visit his studio each year to learn more. The image above is from my first experience at Tai's Arizona studio in 2006.
As I continue my bladesmithing practice, my confidence grows and new ideas manifest and techniques learned. I invite you to visit California Custom Knives often to share in my journey.
Blessings of Goodness and Peace to you All. -DON:)