Meet The Maker: Keisha Wurth from Dark Horse Forge

By Bjorn Jacobsen, March 2023

Keisha is a maker from Queensland who over the last couple of years is really starting to make a name for herself. Clean, good looking lines in her knives paired with quality Australian hardwood handles is making customers take notice that what is coming out of Dark Horse Forge is quality stuff. 

This coming weekend, Keisha is having a table at the Queensland Knife Show in Ipswich - her first ever solo show - so stop by and check our the knives if attending the show.

Her is Keisha telling her story about how she got into knife making, and what she takes out of it;

Growing up in Queensland

I grew up in Mackay, North Queensland but always wanted to move to Southeast Queensland. After moving to Ipswich with a ‘5-year plan’, 18 years later we’re still here and part of the furniture!

How I met Paul Florence

Within that time I floated aimlessly through a few different positions; working in retail pharmacy, homewares, a chiropractic receptionist, a touch of Heavy Rigid truck driving, and finally becoming a personal trainer & group fitness instructor at a local Gym. This is where I met and worked with another personal trainer, & local “swordsmith”, Paul Florence. 

His enthusiasm & passion for his craft fueled my interest and I wanted to “give it a go”. Under his guidance and direction in late 2016 I made my first hand-forged leaf bladed knife, with a burnt fit hidden tang handle. I was hooked!

Knife making gave me a creative "mum break"

Over the next couple of years between working, being pregnant and having two children I tried to get out into the forge as often as I could. I slowly started setting up my own workspace with a gas forge, anvil, some hammers and tongs, and a 2”x48” Grinder. Just the basics. Initially for me knifemaking was just a fun hobby that allowed me to have a break from “mum life”, let off some steam and be creative.

In 2021 I attended my first couple of “Hammer-Ins” and will be forever grateful to the organizers, and my husband for being so supportive of me going to a full “sausage fest”, but we needn’t have been concerned, I was blown away by the community and support & have made some true friendships, not to mention benefiting greatly from the informal demonstrations and freely given tips and advice from other makers.

Tactical Helga Hunter 80CRV2, Cerakote Finish in Disruptive Grey, Removable Tan Micarta Scales, Black Oxide Gulso Bolts, Kydex Sheath with Small Tek Lok Mount

Attending the Blade Symposium was an eye-opener

In 2022 I attended The Australian Blade Symposium in Canberra where I ‘fangirled’ over the incredible makers and learnt some priceless information. I was also gifted a beautiful hunter knife by Ian Stewart of ‘Two Feathers Forge’ to encourage me on my journey and to take my knives to the next level. 

Seeing other people’s knives in the flesh and receiving constructive criticism & feedback on my own knives really kick-started my desire to do better in the craft. I was also encouraged to join the AKG which I’ve started making my first knife for and am aiming to hopefully get my probationary membership happening within the next year or so.

During 2022 with the help and support of my husband & some family, I could actually spend a good solid day here and there in the forge, and I managed to get a number or different styles of knives made, whilst trying to find my ‘own style’.

Skinner- Nitro-V Stainless, Arizona Desert Ironwood Scales, Mosaic Pin & Brass Lanyard

Favourite materials

Recently I’ve started doing more “stock removal” method, rather than hand forging (unless the knife calls for it). I enjoy making full tang hunter/utility style knives, and generally work with either 80CRV2 or 1084 high carbon steel, or Nitro-V Stainless. I love using Ringed Gidgee for scales, but recently for the first time I was commissioned to use Arizona Desert Ironwood, and geez it looks so beautiful, I will absolutely be using it more in the future. I also enjoy making leather sheaths but am looking to improve my skills in this area.

Nitro-V Helga Hunter with Removable Ringed Gidgee and Stainless Steel Gulls Bolts, Full Grain Leather Sheath

Pro tip for the workshop: Everything on wheels

Late 2022 and coming into 2023 I have really amped up, I finally have my own 6x6m dream shed, with a forging area and designated grinding room with 2 x 2”x72” 84 Engineering Variable Speed Grinders and dust extraction set up. I’ve now got a 24” 3-phase Paragon Kiln to work with which is a game changer, even just on the time management side of things. One of the best tips I received when designing my shed was to “put everything on wheels”. I can’t recommend this enough. I don’t know how many times I’ve changed the layout of my work benches and equipment, especially with the arrival of new gear.

Keisha hand sanding bevels on one of her custom blades.

The most rewarding part of knifemaking is the community, especially the Australian knifemaking community, which is very open and willing to share knowledge and skills. And although it’s a very male dominant group I’ve never felt threatened or unwelcomed at any event or gatherings.

It’s also cool to see the reaction of people when they ask what you do and you reply with “I make knives”. People don’t expect it and it’s nice to be a little different from the norm.

Balancing family and being a maker

The most difficult aspect of knifemaking I find is struggling with “mum guilt” when I’m out in the shed doing something for me. And it’s hard finding the balance between knifemaking, taking photos, creating social media content, and replying to enquiries whilst also being a wife and mother, with two small children and being on top of home duties.

Lower Layer Damascus 1084/15N20 with Ringed Gidgee and Nickel Pins and Mosaic Lanyard Tube

What I take out of knife making

For me knifemaking is a way to be creative and taking pride in building something that is going to last for many lifetimes (with proper care). It has given me my own identity, which I seemed to have lost when I became a mum.

Three tips for anyone starting out:

1. Attend a local hammer-in or get to The Australian Blade Symposium, meet the makers and pick their brains.
2. Get a decent belt grinder 2”x48” or 72” (preferably variable speed)
3. Have fun & enjoy the process, don’t get too downhearted when you make a mistake. Even the best makers have a wall of shame. And keep your very first knife, to see how far you’ve come..

Very excited for my first solo show this weekend

If you’re planning on attending the Queensland Knife Show in Ipswich on 1-2nd April 2023, come and say Hi, it’ll be my very first show with my own table. I’m crazy excited & looking forward to catching up with everyone.   

Get in touch

Should you wish to make contact with Keisha about her work, please use the facebook page of Dark Horse Forge: LINK