Friends,
I am very proud to showcase testimonials to my design and skills as a mastersmith.
Ethan Becker is a Cordon Blu-trained chef, author of Joy of Cooking, and renowned innovative mountain climbing and survival gear designer. He is a loyal customer and friend.
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"As a lifelong daily user and lover of kitchen cutlery, Murray's knives are a revelation in both sharpness and balance. These knives are wonderful tools for any kitchen!" Ethan Becker
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"A great insight into how a master craftsman approaches his art. I have a greater appreciation of what an artist goes though to excel at his craft."
Paul Begovich, Theatrical Technical Director
"I have been interested in Japanese and Western World history and edged weapons. Over the years I have accumulated a patchwork of knowledge and interesting facts. In Murray's one day course 'Introduction to Japanese Bladesmithing' he managed to take my scattered knowledge and forge it into a cohesive block, lifting a vale of fog that had existed. He basically added mortar to the blocks of knowledge I had, and added more blocks. He expanded my universe and intensified my interest in what I was already interested in."
Bruce Fried, Vietnam Veteran, retired
"I felt quite privileged to spend a whole day in Murray’s shop and to watch three of his knives created from start to finish. Few people will ever have such an experience in their lifetime! Murray’s attention to detail is what impressed me most throughout the day. Each step in the knife-making process (and there are many!) is performed with great care and precision. I was impressed by the great deal of knowledge and experience that Murray has as well. He explained each step as we watched him work. I was amazed at his knowledge of the qualities of different steels, the advantages of forging, the intricate process of heat trea ting to create the perfect hardness, and the perfect weight, shape, and design that creates a knife that is a pleasure to use. My knife is not only a tool, but also a piece of art. Only by watching Murray work (and even trying a few of these steps myself, under his guidance), could I truly appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into each knife. Murray cuts no corners to speed up his production; each knife is uniquely forged, handled, and shaped by his own hands. The individual attention and care that goes into each blade, and the knowledge, skill, and experience that Murray pours into his work is something almost completely lost in today’s world! Thanks for a wonderful day!"
Daniel Forster, Computer Technician
“Hello, I’m Kevin Singley . About 2 months ago, I attended Murray Carter’s 500 bladesmithing class. This is how it all went down. First of all the price of the course was $6000.00 that means that I would have to sell 20 knives @ $300.00 each to recover the expense of the class. I liberally gave myself a year to make this happen. Guess what. The second week I was home from the class built a power hammer. The third week I built a forge, the fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth weeks I built and sold over 20 knives on a part time basis. What I’m saying is, the price of the course was recovered 6 times faster than I anticipated initially. The subjects that were taught are the common denominator in making all of this come together so smoothly and quickly.
Second of all, the information and skills that I learned during the course made the quality and appearance of my knives become that of a true professional blade smith. When someone picks up one of my knives now they seem to have a much greater appreciation for the craftsmanship and design than the knives I made before. I can competently explain the element make-up of the steel and the entire process from start to finish and including what’s going on metallurgically inside the steel through each step of the process and why. The “why” is the most important part. If you don’t understand the “why” it may be easy to skip a step that doesn’t seem important, therefore, producing a less than superior product. My customers are amazed at the sharpness of my knives. An extremely sharp knife that is pleasing to the eye will sell itself, and no one has to explain sharp. A sharp blade is achieved by design, edge geometry and the skill of sharpening, all of which is explained in the course.
“I think Murray was on to something when he coined the phrase ‘scary sharp’.”
Thirdly, there is no substitute for a live course where all of your senses can be utilized. The most important part of bladesmithing is being able to recognize critical point temperatures and proper forge welding temperatures. All of these temperatures are explained and demonstrated by color, which means the lighting conditions in your shop shall be replicated each time you anneal, heat, treat, and temper a blade, thus giving you a consistent product. Touch, smell, sound, and sight are all senses that are used and cannot be demonstrated properly from books or films.
Last but not least, I said in my testimonial on the last day of the course that if you want to be the best, you must learn from the best. I’m very excited every time I walk into my shop to see what I’ve accomplished as a blade smith in such a short time. Every knife just gets better and better, but the greatest feeling is knowing that since the class I have not turned out a substandard knife. Everything that I’ve made since the class has been top of the line, and everyone who has purchased one of my post course knives has had very positive things to say and are proud to own and use my knives. The proudest moment of my bladesmithing career is when a customer of mine said “I don’t want my knife this sharp. This thing is sharper than a razorblade, this thing is scary.” I think Murray was on to something when he coined the phrase “scary sharp”.
If anyone should want to contact me about the class or about plans and specifications for building a power hammer, forge, or rotating water stone feel free to e-mail me at: fishhunt247@myway.com, or call 772-528-2042. I welcome the opportunity to talk to anyone interested in attending Murray’s classes. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again “If you want to be the best, you have to learn from the best”.
Kevin Singley, 2007 Graduate
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“I arrived home today, my head still spinning from a fantastic weekend. The introductory bladesmithing course was outstanding, and I’m looking forward to the next two courses. This course was conducted in a professional yet relaxed atmosphere. The tempo and step-by-step instruction of the course were easy to follow and not overwhelming. Your shop arrangement and equipment are safe, well maintained, and of the best quality! Your passion for the trade and teaching it is admirable, and it reflects in each phase of the class. I want to thank you for offering the opportunity of a lifetime to work side by side with a great human being, a Yoshimoto Master, and an ABS Master Bladesmith.” Gary Music |
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“This weekend was the experience of a lifetime, one of the memories that will be shared with all I know. For me the time spent here will save time and money down the road as an aspiring knifemaker. Just a note of thanks for the fantastic bladesmithing course I took Feb.23rd&24th. I'm still reflecting with awe on all I learned. As an educator for many years I appreciated your unique gifts of being a Master Bladesmith and Excellent instructor. At all times during the course you provided hands on personalized guidance through the techniques of Forging, Tempering, Straightening, Sharpening and the completion of a beautiful and functional Neck Knife. The "Song of the Burr" was incredible! Anyone looking to increase their 'real' knowledge of knives& learn knifemaking from a Master should take your class. I did, and I'll be back for the advanced sessions.” Dave Clark |
"Very recently, I attended Murray's Bladesmithing 202 Course and, while I may know a thing or two about Japanese knives, I knew absolutely nothing about how to actually make one. Needless to say, I was fairly apprehensive about my ability to feel at ease in the shop and working with all the power equipment, let alone actually making a knife with them. Murray did his best to assure me everything would be fine, but the unknown still held its grasp.
"Upon arriving the first day, Murray had us jump right in and I started working with the power hammer. His easy-to-understand explanations and guidance made me both feel at ease and confidant as I became familiar with its use. Murray did this by giving us practice time on different materials, both soft and hard. This to me was invaluable as I got a good feel for using the hammer and its affect on the steel being hammered. In no time I started forging my knife as Murray stood right there supervising the whole process. Murray even suggested we make a small "letter opener" from a piece of steel that was cut off from the forged knife. While Murray performed the critical heat treatment on my blade, he guided me in heat treating the small blade. So now I have a knife that I can say was forged and heat treated 100% by me. Very cool.
"He had a great mix of allowing me plenty of hands-on work, yet stepping in when things got critical. This is what the course was like the entire three days. At each step of the knife-making process, Murray was right there to instruct, guide and assist me. No corners were cut, either. I learned to make my knife the way Murray makes his -- traditional Japanese methods with strong attention to quality, detail and craftsmanship. Needless to say my knife is a beautiful piece of Japanese cutlery that I made with my own hands. When I showed my wife and friends the cut off piece of metal I started with, the small knife I made on the side and then the Gyuto I made, they were in shock. They just couldn't believe that I, Bob, made it by hand. Sometimes when I look at it, I have a hard time believing it, too, but I've got the pictures and videos to keep that from ever happening.
"But, honestly, I got much more out of the class than a knife -- the knife-making skills, both physical and analytical, the knowledge, the history, the friendships, the breaking up of pine charcoal, the target shooting, the mosquito bites, the language lesson, the raisin bread, and so much more. Murray did an excellent job of instruction, and I give total credit to his ability to make me feel comfortable every step of the way. After the end of each class day, Murray also had options for us to do various things, so the fun never ended at 6:00. Murray and his family were very gracious hosts, too, and made me feel at home while in theirs.
"Murray, I can't thank you enough for an incredible experience that will surely be long remembered. When the class was over, I had this overwhelming desire of wanting more. I wanted to drive back to the shop Monday morning to start another knife. I enjoyed everything involved with knife making and truly found myself wanting to do it again. When I told my wife this, she jokingly asked if I was still planning to get on the plane to come home. I am grateful for the time we spent and I can't recommend enough that everyone take this class, or any of his classes for that matter.
Thanks again."
Sincerely,
Bob Worthington, CPA
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"I have been making knives on and off since 1980 by stock removal and I have always had a love of Japanese cutlery. So what could have been nicer than to find out about Murray Carter, 17th-generation Yoshimoto Bladesmith and certified Master Bladesmith. "Upon my new found knowledge, I called Murray on the phone inquiring about the possibility of taking a class from him. We quickly became friends and I enrolled his "202 Forging and Completion of an International Pro Series Kitchen Knife" class. |
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About this time, Murray offered a special Inner Circle membership which included more classes, benefits and perks.... After reading thru the Inner Circle membership material, I signed up as an Inner Circle member... I also like the idea of helping support the teaching and furthering of Japanese bladesmithing in the west. After taking the 202 class, I returned home and practiced the new techniques I had learned. I returned for the six-day 302 class which really pushed my skill set up several levels. I am enjoying my friendship with Murray and enjoy his discussions with me on the direction the vision of his business and bladesmithing school are taking. I also enjoy the ability to contact Murray at just about anytime for his advice and guidance on my bladesmithing projects. John Marcus PhD |
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"Wow! Having just finished the five-day Damascus forging course, I am truly amazed at Murray's mastery of his craft and his ability to pass on his knowledge. Having previously completed the 500-level knifemaking course last year, my expectations were high. I knew I would come home with a special knife, but I wasn't sure how much I would be able to accomplish on my own. I knew that making Damascus wasn't easy and I had always been too intimidated to try it on my own. Murray broke the process down into a series of steps that I could understand. There was lots of time in front of the forge and on the power hammer. "After only a couple days practice, Murray had me convinced I was ready to forge weld my first billet of Damascus. Amazingly, it turned out flawlessly. Murray's approach allowed me to do much of the work myself, while still keeping me on track at sure trouble spots. Over the remainder of the course, I completed a knife that stretched my skills. Again, I left with a sense of how important the details are, but most importantly, I was able to practice the observation skills that make the difference. Murray is a terrific instructor and a great person and I enjoyed my time with him at his shop. I am really looking forward to my next learning experience with him."
Troy von Kutzleben
