About Me
I started bladesmithing in 1981 after three years of making stock removal blades. I also attended the very first Hammer-In in Wyoming that was put on by the ABS and that had a big impact on my knifemaking. I met Don Hastings, Bill Bagwell, Bill Moran, and Henry Frank at that Hammer-In and it changed my perspective on almost everything I had been doing in knifemaking. Twenty-five years later I am still forging high end knives. I was awarded by Journeyman Smith stamp in 1985 and then in 1989 my Master Smith rank.
The American Bladesmith Society (ABS) is a great educational not-for-profit organization. I became a member soon after it started. The late Don Hastings really helped me evolve as a bladesmith. Don was one of the four original founders of the ABS. I have known few people as open, honest and caring as was Don. Don really helped me develop as a bladesmith. I am still learning and there are still lots of things to know. It is the road that matters most, not the destination.
I have won a number of major knife awards and I have a wall of plaques and a few of those big award trophies. The photo below shows me receiving the CKCC (Fisk Cutlery Challenge) for an enameled knife handle and accompanying sheath. 
I like to think of myself as a metallurgical junky. I began college as a chemistry major but switched to Psychology later. I have a Ph.D. in Psychology but that only defines one small aspect of who I am. If you are really interested in that part you can google victimology and Dan Petersen together to get an idea of where the academic side has evolved. Let’s just say I work to improve services on a national level for people who have been victims of crime.
The part of me that may have brought you to this site is the part of me that likes to work with his hands and create something that I hope others can appreciate. Inside that part of me is a guy who just likes to hit and shape hot steel.
As to my personal life, I am happily married to Gwen Petersen who tolerates and supports my many hours in the shop. We have two dogs, Max a Labradoodle and Sadie a Giant Schnauzer, that run pretty much wild on our ten acre fenced spread. I have a 24 x 48 foot shop that I personally built a 15 years ago with the support of some good friends. I like to bow hunt and I have been a longbow advocate for about thirty-five years now. I am still looking to get a fall turkey in the area around where I live. Maybe this will be the year!
Dan Petersen