Forging Connections: 8 Questions With PNW Knife Maker Showalter Smithing
- Ciana
- Oct 9
- 5 min read
For more than eight decades, Richlite has been part of thousands of projects, everything from small, family-owned shops to large corporations. Some we discover through direct collaboration, while others we stumble upon years later. Each one tells its own story of creativity and craftsmanship.
We’re continually inspired by the makers who share their work with us. Their projects often embody the same values that drive Richlite – U.S. made quality, sustainability, and durability, reminding us of the endless possibilities our material helps bring to life.
Our latest story features Pacific Northwest–based knife maker Showalter Smithing. Over the years, we’ve gotten to know their team and recently sat down to talk about the grit and passion it takes to run a small business, what makes their work so rewarding, and how Richlite has influenced their designs. Keep reading for an inside look at their craft and what makes it so meaningful.
The Story Behind Showalter Smithing
Can you share a bit about your Pacific Northwest roots and what you love
most?
The Pacific Northwest has captured our hearts! From climbing many of the rugged peaks and volcanoes of the Cascades to wandering through the thick evergreen forests to sailing the deep blue waters of the Puget Sound. There are still so many hidden gems to discover here!
Ashlee grew up near Tacoma, has traveled to the far reaches of the world, but she always has deep roots that keep her anchored here in Washington.
Steve grew up in the old Appalachian Mountains of Pennsylvania but was first stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord while serving in the Army. After living in many places across the country and overseas, he has grown evergreen roots here for the last decade.
What first sparked your interest in bladesmithing, and how did you turn it
into a craft?
The spark that ignited this passion was initially taking an Introduction to Bladesmithing class from fellow veteran and Master Blacksmith/Bladesmith Paul Inman, who learned how to forge from William F. Moran, the father of the American Bladesmith Society. That class lit the fire, and over time, we continued training part-time with Paul and his wife, Dee, at their professional knife shop.
Ashlee learned leathercraft and sheath-making from Dee, while Steve continued learning how to traditionally hand-forge classic knives. Under their guidance, we refined our craft until the knives and sheaths we created were good enough for family and friends— and word soon spread. Here we are, still refining our craft, making timeless knives for professional chefs, home cooks, and anyone who enjoys the outdoors!
Do you have a favorite step in the knife-making process, and why does it stand out?
Hand forging is definitely one of the most labor-intensive and favorite parts of the knife-making process.
"Every time we step up to our historic 575-lb anvil, we are transported through time as we sculpt raw steel into a usable shape with only fire, hammer, anvil, and soul." - Steve
How does working with Richlite material elevate your designs?
Richlite elevates our designs by providing a deep, dark black color that no domestic wood can offer. This is where Richlite shines, complementing the forge-textured finish of our knives and creating a beautiful visual flow from handle to blade. We also love that there are no noxious smells or fumes when working with Richlite, unlike almost every other handle material out there.
TIP: Always use sharp, fresh abrasives and light pressure when working with Richlite to avoid burning the edges of the material.
How do you choose the right materials for each knife design?
“Form and Function Are One.” — Frank Lloyd Wright.
This philosophy guides every design decision we make. A well-designed knife should allow its shape, materials, and beauty to grow naturally out of its purpose. It is important to us that we select steels and handle materials made here in the USA. We pick high-carbon steels for our hand-forged chef knives and premium stainless steels for our outdoor knives.
Our discovery of Richlite happened around 2023, when one of our customers, Nyer Brittain of Brittain & Co., suggested it. Nyer uses Richlite for interior design and believes it might make an excellent knife-handle material — tough enough for countertops and exterior surfaces. Since then, we’ve never looked back and have incorporated Richlite into as many of our handle builds as possible.
How do your customers respond to knives made with Richlite handles?
Both professional chefs and home cooks absolutely love that Richlite is made locally and sustainably, just a few miles from our shop. It’s a bonus that the material is non-porous, easy to clean, and NSF-certified for commercial kitchens.
In our Chinook Chef Series, customers love seeing all the beautiful layers and contours of Glacier-colored Richlite, which incorporates Black Diamond and Browns Point. Most believe it is wood and are surprised when we tell them it’s recycled paper — which technically was wood before it was paper!
Do you think Richlite aligns with your values around sustainability or
craftsmanship?
Absolutely to both! Sustainability and minimizing our impact on the planet are among our highest priorities. Iron is one of the most abundant materials on Earth and can be recycled indefinitely. Richlite adds the perfect balance to our sustainability-and-craftsmanship equation.
We do everything skillfully by hand from raw materials. We start with a bar of steel and a block of Richlite or wood, and we stay involved in every step of the knife-making process.
This allows us to proudly put our touchmark stamp on each knife, knowing it is a direct reflection of our human effort.
The Showalter family name means “From the Forest,” and the evergreen tree in our touchmark reflects this history and represents the indomitable spirit inherent in all life.
Looking ahead, what’s your vision for Showalter Smithing in 2025 and
beyond?
Our vision for the remainder of 2025 is to continue producing small batches for the upcoming camping & hunting seasons, participate in winter holiday markets, and keep inventory of a few of our pieces stocked across the bridge from Richlite at Tacoma Knife & Mercantile.
"The most meaningful part of what we do is meeting the community members who are so supportive and grateful for our work. We also love connecting with fellow vendors at local markets, many of whom become friends." - Ashlee
Looking further ahead, we plan to keep evolving our craft by sustainably building knives at a human pace. We want to continue this work as long as possible — at a pace of nature that inspires us.
Show Your Support
We’re proud to serve as one of the primary materials for Showalter Smithing and their hand-forged knives. Supporting fellow Washington-owned companies is at the heart of what we do, and we’re excited to see where the future of knife-making leads.
Have a maker story you’d like to share with us? We’d love to hear it. Simply connect through the contact link on our website.
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