Forging Heritage: Knifesmithing in Arkansas

Two master bladesmiths working out of southwest Arkansas come together to talk about the practice of knife-making and how the state has become one of the country’s defining centers for the craft.

Jerry Fisk has been practicing as a Master Bladesmith for more than 40 years in Nashville, Arkansas. He is a National Living Treasure and helped bring the Living Treasure award to Arkansas. He has taught bladesmithing around the world and is a champion of traditional arts.

Ricardo Vilar is a master bladesmith from Nashville by way of Brazil. He has been making knives for more than 30 years and is recognized by the Historic City of Washington as their Master Bladesmith.

Their conversation moves through technique, lineage, and what it means to forge a working tradition in Arkansas soil.