Michael Hassoldt retired from the Army after serving one tour in Iraq, and later retired from the Gardena Police Department, where he served with honor. Michael is a published poet and a fan of all things artistic.

In October 2022, he made his first kitchen knife. The following year, he began taking classes from ABS Master Smith Bill Burk. His first couple of classes with Burk were profound for him. It was during that time that he realized he wanted to make Damascus steel just as much as he wanted to make blades.

Today, he makes artisan Damascus steel for knifemakers and bladesmiths across the nation. He will make just about any blade you want, but he is currently driven to pursue higher-end art knives, prioritizing both form and function. All of Michael’s blades and Damascus steel are made in Meridian, Idaho, and he prides himself on using domestically sourced base steels whenever possible.

Michael is an active part of the veteran community and donates several blades each year to veteran charities to help raise money for these worthy causes. If you run a charity and would like one of Michael’s blades to auction for your organization, please reach out through the contact page. Be sure to give him several months’ notice so he has time to fit the work into his already busy schedule.

A final word on scarcity:

Michael is a 100% disabled veteran living with a spinal injury. In addition to crafting custom blades, he also produces Damascus steel for other makers. Because of these commitments and the physical demands of his work, Michael reserves the right to accept or decline any custom project proposal at his sole discretion.

Custom orders are often booked several months in advance. Once your order is accepted and your deposit has been received, Michael will provide an estimated completion month for your project. While the wait may be longer than with larger production shops, every order receives the time and attention it deserves and will be completed within the timeframe provided.

Michael greatly appreciates your patience, understanding, and interest in his work. Your support allows him to continue pursuing the craft he is passionate about and creating unique, handmade blades that are built to last for generations.