Hollywood stars are known for having interesting hobbies when they’re not working, and a surprising number are drawn to the art of bladesmithing. Some celebrities are learning to forge their own knives and weapons, while others are working with professional blacksmiths to create custom designs. This passion ranges from making props for movies to even starting their own businesses selling handcrafted blades, proving they have a real talent for working with steel.
Jason Momoa
Jason Momoa, known for his roles in ‘Aquaman’ and ‘Game of Thrones,’ is a surprisingly skilled blacksmith. He regularly makes things from metal and shares his work online through his Black Wolf Company brand. Momoa initially took up blacksmithing to better prepare for his tough on-screen characters, and he’s even made custom tomahawks for his fellow actors. He’s truly passionate about the craft and constantly works with experienced blacksmiths to improve his skills in areas like grinding and shaping handles.
Nick Offerman
Like his character Ron Swanson on ‘Parks and Recreation’, Nick Offerman is passionate about woodworking and creating things by hand. He runs Offerman Woodshop in Los Angeles, where he and his team make beautiful wooden items and custom tool handles. Though wood is his main focus, he also partners on creating whittling kits and high-quality knives, often adding hand-carved details. Offerman is a strong advocate for taking your time and enjoying the process of making things – and keeping your tools sharp!
Zac Brown
Country music star Zach Brown isn’t just a knife enthusiast – he owns Southern Grind, a company that makes top-quality tactical and survival knives. He designs and crafts these knives himself at his workshop in Georgia, carefully selecting the metal and overseeing every detail to make sure they’re perfect for outdoor adventures. What started as a hobby has become a well-respected brand known for its durable steel and precise construction.
Adam Savage
Adam Savage, famous for his role on ‘MythBusters,’ is a highly skilled maker who can create almost anything, from realistic movie swords to knives. He often shares videos of his process, showing how he crafts blades from raw materials using techniques like stock removal and heat treating in his well-known workshop. Savage is passionate about historical detail and accurately recreating props, and his deep understanding of the science behind blades inspires a large online community of makers.
Brad Pitt
After his divorce, Pitt turned to sculpture as a way to heal and began learning how to create art using plaster and metal. He studied with artists, learning the hands-on skills of casting and shaping materials, even making his own tools. Though his approach is more focused on artistic expression than practical use, it shares the same commitment to materials and design as bladesmithing. Pitt has displayed his sculptures in museums and continues to develop his skills as an artist and craftsman.
Jesse James
Jesse James, known for the show ‘Monster Garage,’ started out as a bodyguard before becoming a highly skilled welder and metalworker. When he’s not building motorcycles in his Texas workshop, he creates beautiful Damascus steel patterns and custom knives. His deep knowledge of metals lets him craft steel that’s not only strong and useful, but also visually impressive. He finds blacksmithing to be a relaxing and peaceful break from the demands of his public life and businesses.
Steve Austin
WWE superstar “Stone Cold” Steve Austin loves spending time outdoors, and he’s combined that passion with a partnership with Cold Steel knives. He worked with them to create the Broken Skull line, designing folding knives that meet his high standards for toughness and a keen edge. Austin himself puts each blade through rigorous testing on his ranch, making sure they can handle demanding work in the field. This move from professional wrestling to knife design shows how much he values tools that are both functional and dependable.
Sylvester Stallone
Sylvester Stallone’s portrayal of John Rambo has had a huge impact on the world of custom knives. He collaborated with renowned knife makers like Jimmy Lile and Gil Hibben to create the memorable survival knives featured in his films. A dedicated collector himself, Stallone has a deep understanding of knife design and materials. His involvement in ‘The Expendables’ also brought attention to talented contemporary custom knife makers and helped boost their popularity.
Steven Seagal
Steven Seagal has always been passionate about Japanese swords and martial arts weapons. He’s worked with skilled knife makers like Ken Onion to create large, powerful knives inspired by his Aikido training. Seagal owns a huge collection of antique blades and has dedicated years to understanding the design of the katana. His own knife designs emphasize smooth, flowing shapes and comfortable grips, making them practical for real-world use.
Shawn Ashmore
Fans were surprised to learn that actor Karl Urban, known for his work in ‘The Boys’ and ‘X-Men,’ designed his own folding knife. He collaborated with Civivi to create the Guile, a production model he personally sketched, wanting a unique and practical everyday tool. This project demonstrates his passion for knives extends beyond simply collecting them – he’s also a designer who appreciates their functionality and artistry.
James Hetfield
James Hetfield, the lead singer of Metallica, is passionate about building and customizing cars, and he’s highly skilled at working with metal. This expertise extends to his appreciation for handcrafted knives, and he frequently collaborates with knifemakers, even modifying tools himself. He enjoys the process of shaping metal using techniques like welding and forging – a creative outlet that mirrors the energy of his music.
Joe Rogan
Joe Rogan significantly boosts the custom knife world by frequently talking about knives on his podcast. He partners with skilled knife makers to create limited-edition designs reflecting his personal tastes in steel and handle materials. Though he doesn’t make the knives himself, he’s a well-informed enthusiast who heavily influences their design. His detailed discussions about knife-making materials have also taught many listeners about the art and science behind it.
Bear Grylls
As a bit of a gearhead and outdoor movie fan, I’ve always been impressed with the Gerber knives designed with Bear Grylls. He really brings a practical edge to them, drawing on his military and expedition experience to figure out exactly what makes a survival knife work. It’s not just about looking cool; he focuses on features like serrated blades and even built-in fire starters. Basically, he makes sure anything with his name on it can actually handle tough situations out in the wild – and that’s a big deal when you’re watching a survival film and thinking, ‘Could this tool actually save my life?’
Ted Nugent
Ted Nugent is an avid hunter who considers knives vital for his outdoor life. He’s collaborated with companies like Outdoor Edge, helping to create and endorse knives specifically designed for field dressing animals. Years of hunting experience have given him a deep understanding of anatomy and what makes a blade effective. Nugent is also a strong supporter of knife ownership rights and American knife makers.
Doug Marcaida
Nathan Marcaida is a martial arts expert and a judge on the popular show ‘Forged in Fire.’ He’s known for designing incredibly effective knives, using his expertise in fighting styles like Kali to create blades perfect for combat and self-defense. He’s especially famous for his curved blade designs, like the karambit, which he’s introduced to a wider audience. You can often hear him rigorously testing weapons and declaring if they’ll hold up when it counts.
J. Neilson
Neilson is a highly respected bladesmith, recognized by the American Bladesmith Society as a Mastersmith. He became well-known to a wider audience as a judge on the show ‘Forged in Fire,’ where he’s known for giving honest and direct feedback. He creates strong, high-quality blades – specializing in incredibly durable Damascus steel – from his workshop in Pennsylvania.
Ben Abbott
Richard Abbott began his journey on the show ‘Forged in Fire’ as a competitor, and his repeated success led to him becoming a judge. A British expert in historical fencing, he meticulously recreates ancient swords and weapons. He’s become well-known among weapon makers for his skill in reproducing intricate designs like Damascus steel and complex construction techniques. He now runs a forge creating highly detailed, museum-quality replicas for collectors.
David Baker
As a movie critic, I’ve seen a lot of weapons on screen, and let me tell you, the detail work is often incredible. A lot of that is thanks to guys like Baker, a Hollywood prop maker and weapons expert. He’s the one who actually builds many of those historical arms you see in films and on shows like ‘Forged in Fire,’ where he also acts as a judge. He doesn’t just make them look good, though; he really understands how these weapons were originally used and focuses on getting the details – both the look and the construction methods – historically accurate for each period. His workshop is basically a museum of perfectly recreated swords, all built for different film projects.
Tell us which celebrity knife project surprised you the most in the comments.
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2025-12-12 19:20