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BASTROP — The Lost Pines Knife Show returned to the Bastrop Convention Center this past weekend, bringing an international crowd of blacksmiths and craft enthusiasts.
Central Texas’ largest custom knife show, according to event organizers Tana and Grizz, drew hundreds of custom knife makers to the city for two days of competitions, demonstrations and displays of fine craftsmanship.
“It’s about bringing the craft back to families, and exposing it to families that might not know about blacksmithing,” said Tana, who operates Elgin’s To The Point Blade Sharpening and Sales with her partner. “It runs the gambit, it’s of interest to everybody.”
Knife enthusiasts were treated to a spectacle of steelwork, with award winning pieces and knives of all styles and prices up for sale.
The event handed out its belt buckle trophies to the best presentations of culinary, hunter, utility, fighter, hatchet, dagger and bowie knives as well as a best in show.
Alongside the vendors, attendees were given live forging demonstrations and had the chance to see an official BladeSports International Cutting Competition.
Authorized competitors tested their steel on 2x4s, water bottles and ropes, with knives still able to cut arm hair and be bent to 90 degrees after the fact.
Among the lines of custom sellers was Lockhart’s Justin Hammond, winner of a “Forged in Fire” episode, a popular blacksmithing competition television show. “Bastrop has been really cool,” said Hammond, “people want to talk about the show, and I love to talk back.”
Not represented in competition, but a fan favorite, according to attendees, was a selection of tiny knives. The two-inch-long pieces contain all the fine detail and work of their larger counterparts.
“It’s incredibly tedious work,” said blacksmith Rob Logan. “Everything must be done a lot more cautiously, there’s no room to hide errors.”
Leatherwork, jewelry, whetstones, blacksmithing materials and industrial grade grinders also shared the event space, with axe throwing, live music and food trucks stationed outside.
The event continues to grow, and Tana is excited to see what comes next.
