Knives & Knifemaking w/ Jamison Chopp of Acre Forge

Knives & Knifemaking w/ Jamison Chopp of Acre Forge

Author: BLISTER July 9, 2025 Duration: 1:14:22

Jonathan talks knives and knife making with Jamison Chopp, a bladesmith who works with a group of individual knife makers at Acre Forge, in Portland, Oregon.

We talk about what’s changed and what hasn’t about the way knives are made today; we dive into the details of blade shape, blade materials, and handles; we talk about what separates a great knife from a mediocre one; and more.

If you’re interested in culinary knives but somehow haven’t come across Jamison or Acre, you’re going to really enjoy this episode. And for those of you who haven’t invested in a really quality knife, well, fair warning, this conversation might change that.

RELATED LINKS:

Blister Craft Collective

Become a BLISTER+ Member

Mad Fritz

Mad Fritz Coffee

David Arthur Vineyards

Winemakers Review

TOPICS & TIMES:

Skis? (3:53)

Getting into Knifemaking (9:37)

Is there a more conventional path? (16:29)

Current State of Bladesmithing (17:43)

The Acre ‘Collective’ (23:23)

Knife Maintenance (27:11)

Metallurgy (30:07)

Carbon Steel (32:52)

Materials (36:00)

Acre Macrum Knife vs ‘Signature’ Knives  (43:08)

Hand-Forged vs Machine-Made (46:52)

Styles: Japanese vs Western Knives (53:44)

Acre vs ‘Big Box Store’ Knives (56:21)

Acre vs Other High-Performance Makers (1:00:54)

Sharpening (1:05:21)

SEE OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

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Bikes & Big Ideas

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There's a particular kind of conversation that happens when someone has dedicated their life to making something tangible, driven by obsession over details most of us overlook. CRAFTED, from BLISTER, is built on those conversations. Each episode moves beyond a simple product review to explore the entire ecosystem of creation, whether the subject is a meticulously roasted coffee, a complex whiskey, a precision timepiece, or a bold new wine. You'll hear directly from the individuals who define these fields-brewers, distillers, founders, and artisans who started their ventures not because it was easy, but because they couldn't imagine doing anything else. This podcast digs into the raw materials, the failed experiments, the business risks taken on a principle, and the quiet triumphs that happen long before a product reaches a shelf. It’s about the philosophy embedded in the process as much as the technical skill. Tuning in feels less like listening to an interview and more like pulling up a stool in a workshop or a tasting room, offering an intimate look at the patience, setbacks, and unwavering standards that transform a simple idea into a crafted object. The stories are specific, but the themes of creativity, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit are universal, connecting anyone who appreciates the depth behind a well-made thing.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 109

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