Through Jason’s teens, he worked in his dad’s computer IT consulting and support services company. Installing, upgrading, and supporting computer network systems.

Having also grown up with a passion for cooking, Jason decided to try his hand at being a chef. He was taken on as an apprentice chef by a renowned chef in Minnesota. His four years of working side by side with this chef helped him glean knowledge and experience regarding the use of chef knives. Being a sous-chef gave him the ability to learn a whole new way of thinking about knives and the role they play in cooking.

After taking the time to help out a family member with his house painting company, Jason found that there was a need for high-quality painting companies, so Jason started his own company painting houses both inside and out. This type of work requires precision, patience, and in some cases, a lot of creativity, very much like making blades.

Spending years of traveling to different job sites, weather cancellations, exposure to painting chemicals, employes not showing up, the physical work of up and down on ladders, this work became very daunting. 

One day his best friend asked, “What would you want to do if you had a choice”?

Jason replied, “I would really like to make Swords.”

In the Spring of 2011, Jason took action; he took a two-week introductory class at the Bill Moran School of Blade Making from the Texarcana College in Arkansas. This school was recommended to Jason’s friend by Master Bladesmith Bob Kramer.

While his skills improved, he wanted to take the next step. Jason joined the American Bladesmithing Society.

As he grew more confident in his bladesmithing, his knowledge of creating handles, and handguards were not sufficient. Jason decided to go back to Texarkana College in the fall for his second class, “Handles and Guards.”

Jason opens Northstar Forge. 

These intensive opportunities began to bring together his wonderment of all things blade and the draw of fire to a career path that leads us to his work today. He crafts exceptional blades capable of a sharp shaving edge with an impeccable yet functional design that matches for whom they are custom made.

Jason continues to make Bowie knives, hunting knives, chef knives, daggers, dirks, and swords. 

Forged in Fire – History Channel

Season 3 Episode 15, February 7th, the episode of Forged in Fire airs where Jason competes with others designing and creating blades that get pushed to their limits.