VINCE EVANS

I was born and raised in Hawaii and am now living in Washington. My mother was a portrait artist and my father an ornamental blacksmith and metal sculptor. I grew up around my father’s shop and became familiar with metalworking at an early age. I began doing restoration work on antique swords in 1980 and have been a full-time bladesmith since 1981.

Although I have done everything from bowies to folders, the most challenging direction for me is re-creating the sword. By building pieces the way they did centuries ago, I have gained an admiration for the craftsmen of old. I research each piece before I begin. I do not try to make exact reproductions, but instead, re-create pieces within historical guidelines while maintaining my own identity as a craftsman in the 21st century. Schools and classes that teach this Old World art do not exist so I have learned through experimentation and examining original pieces in museums and private collections. Handling original swords and seeing the craftsmanship that went into each piece inspires me to keep learning and experimenting; to understand the craftsman; and in some way, touch the past.

My wife, Grace, works with me, specializing in replicating Celtic interlace carving on Scottish pieces. Her pursuit of this art has complimented my work.

I am currently not taking new commissions in order to allow me the freedom to pursue re-creating original pieces that I have examined. Completed pieces will be available at one of the Custom Knife Shows that I attend.

Awards
• Members Choice Award/Award of Merit (1987 Pacific Handcrafters Guild, Honolulu, Hawaii)
• Damascus USA/Moran Award – Best Damascus of Show (1994 Knifemasters Custom Knife Show, LaGuardia, New York)
• Blade Handmade Award – Best Handforged Knife (1997 Blade Show West, Costa Mesa, California)
• Best of Show (1999 Las Vegas Classic Knife Show, Las Vegas, Nevada)
• Best Handforged Knife, Best Sword, Best of Show (2000 Knife Expo, Buena Park, California)
• Best Collaboration Knife with Richard Rogers (2000 Blade Show and International Cutlery Fair, Atlanta, Georgia).
• Craftsman Award (2000 Bay Area Knife Collectors Association Show, San Francisco, California)
• Best Sword (2003 Las Vegas Classic Knife Show, Las Vegas, Nevada)
• Best Handforged Knife (2003 Arizona Knife Collectors Association Show, Mesa, Arizona)
• Best Sword (2004 Las Vegas Classic Knife Show, Las Vegas, Nevada)
• Best Sword (2005 Blade Show and International Cutlery Fair, Atlanta, Georgia)
• Best Damascus (2005 Blade Show West, Portland, Oregon)