Hi everyone! My name is Grant Saxman, I'm the sole creator and artisan behind the art project that is Yozakura Forge.
I'd like to tell you a little bit about myself:
Bladesmithing has been a long time passion of mine. I started bladesmithing when I was only 16 and have been doing it ever since, for over 9 years now (that makes me 25 years old). Bladesmithing to me is a wonderful form of art that perfectly combines both form and function.
I ended up loving smithing so much that I decided to pursue a degree in Material Science Engineering. Starting in 2017 I studied MSE with a focus in metallurgy at University of Michigan Ann Arbor and graduated winter 2020 with my Bachelor's degree. A year later I got my Master's as well (also in MSE). Learning about materials has given me a fundamental understanding of what is going on behind the scenes to make a functional art piece function the BEST. An important part of smithing for me has become trying new and high performance materials and heat treatments that give my knives a competitive edge.
It goes beyond just steel though. Material science covers all kinds of materials, including plastics, ceramics gems, composites, natural materials, etc. You'll find no shortage of adventurous ideas in how I incorporate many innovative (and occasionally outrageous) materials in my art. For me that's what puts my work a step above the rest and is also how I have the most fun. :)
After I graduated, I moved into an apartment while I save money for a house (and a full smithing shop of my own that isn't in my parents garage). Unfortunately, an apartment doesn't have the space or facilities necessary to do bladesmithing or woodworking. I felt a big creative void being in a place like this and decided to broaden my horizons by picking up silversmithing and gemcutting. Over the past year and a half I've learned to create full pieces of jewelry from silver ingot, and cut beautiful faceted gemstones from rough.
The ultimate goal? to combine all of these crafts and create functional art from steel, wood, precious metals, and gemstones. I hope you'll follow along on my journey towards eventual mastery of my craft.
To all who decide to spend their hard earned money here and purchase something I've made: a very gracious thank you from the bottom of my heart! It's your support that continues to drive me to be better and fuel my dream of eventually going full time with Yozakura Forge.
I'd like to tell you a little bit about myself:
Bladesmithing has been a long time passion of mine. I started bladesmithing when I was only 16 and have been doing it ever since, for over 9 years now (that makes me 25 years old). Bladesmithing to me is a wonderful form of art that perfectly combines both form and function.
I ended up loving smithing so much that I decided to pursue a degree in Material Science Engineering. Starting in 2017 I studied MSE with a focus in metallurgy at University of Michigan Ann Arbor and graduated winter 2020 with my Bachelor's degree. A year later I got my Master's as well (also in MSE). Learning about materials has given me a fundamental understanding of what is going on behind the scenes to make a functional art piece function the BEST. An important part of smithing for me has become trying new and high performance materials and heat treatments that give my knives a competitive edge.
It goes beyond just steel though. Material science covers all kinds of materials, including plastics, ceramics gems, composites, natural materials, etc. You'll find no shortage of adventurous ideas in how I incorporate many innovative (and occasionally outrageous) materials in my art. For me that's what puts my work a step above the rest and is also how I have the most fun. :)
After I graduated, I moved into an apartment while I save money for a house (and a full smithing shop of my own that isn't in my parents garage). Unfortunately, an apartment doesn't have the space or facilities necessary to do bladesmithing or woodworking. I felt a big creative void being in a place like this and decided to broaden my horizons by picking up silversmithing and gemcutting. Over the past year and a half I've learned to create full pieces of jewelry from silver ingot, and cut beautiful faceted gemstones from rough.
The ultimate goal? to combine all of these crafts and create functional art from steel, wood, precious metals, and gemstones. I hope you'll follow along on my journey towards eventual mastery of my craft.
To all who decide to spend their hard earned money here and purchase something I've made: a very gracious thank you from the bottom of my heart! It's your support that continues to drive me to be better and fuel my dream of eventually going full time with Yozakura Forge.