Forging a Knife

Friday, 20-October-2023 - Veghel - Last night, I made some repairs to my best pair of work jeans.  I was getting ready for an early birthday present from Marij: a forging a knife workshop from Phoenix Cultuur at the Noordkade in Veghel. It was cool and raining outside--perfect weather for working in a blacksmith shop. Niek Eikelenboom was our instructor. He was so energetic and passionate for this ancient trade. This was something I wanted to do for a long time. I felt so much fulfillment and pride as I was working (photo Lucas van Engelen). In the washroom, I saw a familiar painting of the young and talented blacksmith, Jouke Ruigrok.

Here is his story. At the end of day, all five of us, Bert, Erik, John, Lucas, and me, had each made a great knife. (pics 158)