Bruce Bump

Walla Walla, Washington, USA

Member: 2019 (Guest)

        My knife making journey began in 1988 when I was required to teach a craft to young boys and men from our local scouting group, Royal Rangers. My first knives were of primitive styling and looked right a home with my leather pants and racoon-skin cap.

        I soon joined American Bladesmith Society and began forging high carbon steel in a coal forge, followed by a propane forge of Ed Caffrey’s design with inclusion of a huge fan. I have been a full-time maker since 1998. I received my Journeyman Smith through ABS in 2000 after tutelage by Wayne Goddard, and became Master Smith in 2003 with tremendous help from Ed Caffrey and Audra Draper via many phone and email conversations.

        As a Master Smith knife-maker I enjoy making a wide variety of knives. I have never settled on any one style or design as my favorite but that early love of black powder keeps a strong influence. I marvel at the “Makers of Old” with their artistry and limitless imagination. Fine craftsmen with life long dedication to their art. Intricate details and complexity of their guns, knives and swords are nothing short of miraculous achievements to me, truly inspiring considering they had no electricity.