Meet Will Manning | Knife Maker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Will Manning and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Will, how do you think about risk?
I believe that taking risks is essential for growth, both personally and professionally. For me, risks lead to either successes or failures and no matter what, ultimately enlighten me with a deeper understanding of my work.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m a knife maker, currently living an hour north of Asheville in beautiful East Tennessee. I recycle long forgotten materials exposing their natural beauty as well as their story by hand forging performance kitchen cutlery intended to be handed down for generations. I’ve kept my head down and ignored the noise as well as remained passionate, interested and curious about finding and recycling cool materials. “Reclaimed” is definitely cliche and has been for a long time but I haven’t let that stop me because it’s a big part of my original ethos. I find unique ways to use recycled materials that I feel good about not only from an ethics point of view but also a creative standpoint.

I’ve gotten where I am today by being persistent and exploring creativity in the shop as well as the business. Trying, failing & learning. I’ve prioritized customer satisfaction and great photography. I wouldn’t say it’s been easy and I wouldn’t say it’s been difficult, it’s just taken a lot of work and I’ve slowly been chipping away at it for the last decade or so.

What I’ve always battled is the balance of work and personal fulfillment, e.g., paying the bills vs being creatively fulfilled and satisfied with the life I live. When I worked full time, I thought it wasn’t worth the lack of freedom. It was a huge expenditure of my one finite resource, time. And working for myself, I still fight the same battles. Do I only make knives I know will sell? OR should I explore and create for the sake of creating and growing? I think we all know the answer to that.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I live in Jonesborough, TN a small town an hour north of Asheville, NC and just 10 minutes from Johnson City, TN. I would take them to Depot Street for beer, Lazy Lady Baking Co. for a croissant, Project BBQ for some brisket and jump on the Appalachian Trail for a beautiful, peaceful hike. 

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Well I wouldn’t be where I am without a few key groups/people.

Skeeter Prather, my mentor in life & blacksmithing. He taught me that I will never know everything and that it’s important to stay curious, humble and active. He helped me get my first job at an anvil and taught me the basics. He also helped me get a scholarship to learn more about my interests in blacksmithing. He was a founding member of FABA (Florida Artists Blacksmith Association), a group that really took me under their wings at early age and gave my life a bit of direction.

My folks. They’ve always encouraged me and supported my less conventional ventures and tendencies to avoid the main stream.

Garden & Gun. A magazine that really believed in me and has spread the word of my work world wide.

Website: heartwoodforge.com

Instagram: @heartwoodforge

Image Credits
Nick Kelley