Born in Massachusetts and raised with a naturally curious spirit, Silas Blacklow discovered early on that, in spite of his love of learning, his passion for making outweighed the call of homework. With self-awareness and confidence, the hours that might have been put towards a diploma were instead dedicated to creating art, and he has not looked back since.

Silas’ first job—prep cook at a summer camp, cooking for 300 kids a day—wasn’t just a paycheck; it became a gateway. In the camp kitchen, he found a love for kitchen tools and the sharp precision of knife work he’d dreamed about since childhood. With every meal served, he honed the skills that would become the foundation for his bladesmithing.

Ready to pursue his passion and put into practice the years of research and planning already done, Silas moved to New York with friends, rented a barn as his workspace, and got down to business. Soon, a small but dedicated customer base was cooking with the fruits of his labor. When the barn’s property was sold, the workshop had to close, and Silas took a bold step—calling well-known craftsman Jimmy Diresta. Soon Silas was working in Jimmy’s storage space and living in the shop office for 18 months with just a couch and a space heater—no running water, no bathroom—driven entirely by dedication.

Beyond bladesmithing, Silas restores and drives classic Volvos, cooks rich meals, jams with friends, hikes, and crisscrosses the country on spur‑of‑the‑moment adventures. That is, when he isn’t teaching bladesmithing at Alfred Universit, or sneaking in the occasional art‑history lecture at Cornell University.

At the heart of his work is a mission: to reclaim traditional craftsmanship lost in the industrial revolution, and weave those ancient techniques back into our modern world. He immerses himself in history—studying old tools in books, museums, and in conversation with craftspeople from older heritages—to inform and enrich every object he makes. From innovative damascus steel patterns to gold and silver emblishments, fine carving and engraving, and more, Silas’ culinary knives marry function and art in a style all his own.