NorthStar Forge owner Jason Kraus with Maddox after completing his Damascus bowie.
Davis started making knives at 12 years old
Typically, students need to be at least 14 years old to even take a class at NorthStar Forge, but we have made exceptions.
That was the case with Maddox Davis of Carver, MN.
Originally, his dad contacted NorthStar Forge owner/founder Jason Kraus, to see if he would make an exception for his then 12-year-old son describing Maddox as being larger, stronger and more mature than the average boys his age. Jason found this to be “absolutely true” after meeting Maddox at a local vendor market and before giving him the green light to forge with him.
Maddox has always enjoyed fixing and tinkering with things and working with his hands, which led him to inquire about knifemaking.
“I saw Forged in Fire and thought it looked awesome,” he said of the History Channel’s hit TV series where Kraus competed on Season 3 Ep. 15.
Maddox was intrigued “watching people take just raw steel and turn it into tools and weapons and a bunch of different things,” he said.
Making knives also seems to fit well with his adventurous side.
“He’s always talking about his last adventure in the woods, or how he was able to use his knife that he made,” Jason said, noting how Maddox would rather be playing sports, exploring nature or making things, than sitting inside playing video games.
His first class with Jason was the puukko – a Finnish utility knife. He then took four more classes, including the railroad spike knife, hunting knife, tomahawk, and his latest – a Damascus bowie knife (pictured above). He’s made a few of his own leather sheaths, as well.
Maddox grinds a knife as part of his summer project.
Not only did Maddox prove to be strong and mature for his age, but he also had the attention span, patience and situational awareness required for being safe working with glowing, hot steel.
“Now he’s a pretty mature 15-year-old and yet a lot bigger than a 15-year-old,” Jason said. “He’s got 15 pounds on me, so there’s that.”
“He also absorbs what you teach him,” Jason said of Maddox. “He still needs some reminders here and there, but he’s pretty much on autopilot, which is awesome.”
He’s “well on his way to becoming a good bladesmith,” Jason said.
When it comes to the knife-making process, Maddox prefers forging over handle work.
“I like working with metal,” he said. It’s more fun and it takes more strength than perfection, he added.
This year, during summer break, Maddox decided to work for himself by making and selling custom knives through NorthStar Forge’s membership program.
His first order – a set of six steak knives with purple heart wood handles for his grandma, which he completed before he started a busy sophomore year.
We wish him a successful year, and hope to have him back at the forge next summer!
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