Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
Please reach us at matt.dawson@verizon.net if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Dawson Forge is a custom blacksmith and bladesmith forge located in Kingston, New Jersey. The forge specializes in hand-forged knives, custom ironwork, historical recreation hardware, steel goods for the camp, kitchen, home and garden, and custom leatherwork such as knife sheaths.
Every Dawson Forge project is individually crafted, with an emphasis on traditional blacksmithing and bladesmithing techniques, functional design, and one-of-a-kind workmanship.
Dawson Forge is a home forge in Kingston, New Jersey, in the Princeton area of Central New Jersey.
The forge is available for visitation by appointment only. If you would like to discuss a project or arrange a visit, contact Dawson Forge at 609-865-0418 or use the contact form on this website.
Dawson Forge creates a variety of custom, hand-forged and handmade products, including:
Because Dawson Forge works on an individual contract basis, the possibilities extend beyond the examples shown in the galleries.
Yes. Custom knives are one of the primary specialties of Dawson Forge.
A custom knife can be designed around its intended use, such as cooking, hunting, camping, outdoor work, collecting, or display. The design, materials, dimensions and other details can be discussed when commissioning a knife.
If you have an idea for a knife that you do not see in the gallery, contact Dawson Forge to discuss the project.
Yes. Dawson Forge accepts individual commissions for custom knives and other forged work.
The best way to begin is to describe what you are looking for, how you intend to use the piece, and any design or historical requirements you have. Dawson Forge can then discuss whether the project is a good fit for the forge.
Every commissioned piece is original.
Dawson Forge makes knives for a variety of purposes, including culinary use, martial arts, hunting, camping and outdoor activities.
The forge can also create knives based on a customer's particular requirements rather than limiting customers to a fixed catalog of designs.
If you need a knife designed for a specific task, explain the intended use when you contact Dawson Forge.
Yes. Dawson Forge creates hand-forged culinary knives for cooks and chefs who want a superior quality knife with an individual, handmade character.
A custom kitchen knife can be discussed in terms of its intended use, preferred dimensions, shape and other design considerations.
Yes. Hunting and camp knives are among the types of knives Dawson Forge creates.
Because these knives are made individually, a project can be developed around how the knife will actually be used outdoors. Dawson Forge also creates custom leather knife sheaths to complement its knives.
Yes. Historical recreation ironwork is an important part of Dawson Forge's work.
The forge can create custom hardware and other ironwork intended to reproduce historically appropriate designs. This can be particularly useful for historic properties, museums, historical sites, restoration projects and other applications where modern hardware does not provide the appropriate appearance or construction.
If you have an original piece, photograph, drawing or historical reference, provide as much information as possible when discussing the project.
Potentially, yes. Dawson Forge specializes in custom and historical recreation work and can evaluate individual projects based on the available information.
Historical projects are best discussed with photographs, measurements, drawings, surviving examples or other documentation whenever available.
The goal is to create a functional piece that is appropriate to the historical character and requirements of the project.
Yes. Dawson Forge creates custom blacksmith work for a variety of applications.
Projects can include functional and decorative iron or steel pieces for homes, gardens, camps, historical properties and other custom applications.
Because the work is commissioned individually, customers are encouraged to contact the forge with projects that may not fit neatly into a standard product category.
Dawson Forge works with customers on custom iron and steel projects for the home, garden, camp and historical applications.
The exact design depends on the project. If you have a specific object in mind—or an existing piece that needs to be recreated—contact Dawson Forge to discuss what can be made.
Yes. Dawson Forge makes custom leather knife sheaths as well as other leatherwork.
A custom sheath can be created for a Dawson Forge knife or for any knife you already own that requires a handmade leather sheath. Pricing is based on the size of the sheath and details of the project.
Yes. Although knives are an important part of the forge's work, Dawson Forge is not exclusively a knife maker.
The forge also produces custom blacksmith and bladesmith work, historical recreation ironwork, steel items for the home, garden and camp, and custom leatherwork.
If you have a project that involves forged metal, steel or leather, it is worth asking whether Dawson Forge can make it.
Both.
Blacksmithing focuses primarily on forging iron and steel into functional and decorative objects, while bladesmithing focuses specifically on forged blades.
Dawson Forge combines both disciplines, allowing the forge to create everything from custom knives and culinary blades to architectural, historical and functional ironwork.
Yes. Dawson Forge works on an individual contract basis, and every piece created is original.
Customers can bring an idea, functional requirement, historical reference or existing object to the forge and discuss developing a custom piece around it.
A photograph or existing example can be a useful starting point for a custom project.
For historical recreation or replacement work, photographs, dimensions, drawings and physical examples can help determine the appropriate design and construction.
Contact Dawson Forge with whatever information you have, and the project can be evaluated.
Dawson Forge produces a limited number of knives each year for sale on consignment at Haderondah Company in Old Forge, New York.
Because production is limited, availability changes. For information about currently available knives contact Lori Eddy at Haderondah Co. (315-369-3868) and tell her "Matt sent you".
For info on custom commissions, or to become a consignment retailer, contact Dawson Forge directly.
A limited number of Dawson Forge knives are sold on consignment at Haderondah Company in Old Forge, New York.
Dawson Forge also works directly with customers on individual knife commissions.
Dawson Forge has a Classes & Demos category featuring blacksmithing-related educational and demonstration work.
Because classes and demonstrations may vary, contact Dawson Forge for current information about availability, scheduling and participation.
Yes, but visits are by appointment only.
Dawson Forge operates from a home forge in Kingston, New Jersey, so please contact the forge before visiting rather than arriving without an appointment.
The easiest way to begin is to contact Dawson Forge through the website or by phone at 609-865-0418.
When contacting the forge, it helps to provide:
Dawson Forge can then discuss the project and determine the best way to proceed.
Custom project pricing depends on the design, materials, size, complexity, amount of handwork and other requirements.
Because Dawson Forge creates one-of-a-kind pieces rather than mass-produced products, there is not a single price that applies to every custom knife.
The best way to obtain pricing is to contact Dawson Forge with the details of the knife or project you have in mind.
Project timing varies depending on the type and complexity of the work, the materials required and the current forge schedule.
Custom knives, historical reproductions and larger ironwork projects can have very different production requirements. Typically a custom knife takes about 3-4 weeks to complete and custom sheaths take about 2 weeks.
When you contact Dawson Forge, provide your desired completion date if you have one so the project can be evaluated against the current schedule. We aim to please and will work to accommodate your needs whenever possible.
Dawson Forge focuses on individually commissioned, hand-forged work rather than mass-produced knives.
The forge combines bladesmithing, blacksmithing and leatherworking to create original pieces for specific customers and applications. That approach makes Dawson Forge particularly suited to people looking for a custom knife, historically appropriate hardware or a unique forged object rather than an off-the-shelf product.
Our hours of operation are generally Mon - Sat, 9-5 We love our customers, but this is a small home-business. Please respect our privacy.