Ray has been forging steel for over forty years. He has been smelting his own iron and steel for over twenty years. He has been collecting and smelting his own copper and silver ore for more than ten years.

        Ray is one of less than one hundred and fifty Master Smiths registered worldwide by the American Bladesmith Society. The American Bladesmith Society is the accepted world standard for forging excellence. Queen Elizabeth’s armorer, James Jackson, came to the United States in 2001 to test for the coveted American Bladesmith Master Stamp. Both Mr. Jackson and Ray Rybar were successful that year.

        Ray’s work is collected not only domestically but also worldwide. He has been the recipient of Best Art Award at the Blade International Expo in Atlanta. He has been the recipient of the Best Damascus Award Twice and the Bill Moran Jr. Award twice. Ray has received many other awards which are too numerous to mention.

        Ray is also an accomplished teacher and has taught classes at Touchstone Center for the Crafts in Pennsylvania, the Bill Moran School for Bladesmithing in Arkansas, The Tannehill Ironworks in Alabama, Pieh Tool Company in Arizona and one on one classes in his own shop located in Camp Verde Arizona.

        His work can be seen published between the covers of Art of the Knife by Joe Kertzman and Spirit of the Sword by Steve Shackelford as well as numerous monthly publications.

Artist Statement:

        As an Artist blacksmith 1 direct my primary effort to cutlery but not exclusively. I am most known for bold Damascus patterns and more recently near impossible intricate mosaics legible down to pin head size.

        The Inspiration for my most sought after works comes from scripture and is centered on Biblical themes.

        I conduct my business under the premise that if art is your master, it will become your idol. If it is your servant, it will become your ministry.