The NorthStar Forge Story

Born in 1981, Jason’s journey to the forge came about through an intriguing set of circumstances. No matter how many times Jason has encountered little miracles through his life, he is still blown away each time it happens. Jason Kraus grew up in the beautiful North Star state of Minnesota. All his life, Jason has had a passion for knives, swords, and other forms of sharp weaponry. He truly loves using knives as much as he loves making them so, he decided he should make the knives he wants to use. And so, North Star Forge was born.

Through his twenties Jason struggled with what his passion was, like many of us, until one day his wife, Allison, asked him what he would love to do every day for work. Having worked in the computer IT field, owning his own painting business, and struggling with dyslexia there was only one answer to this question; forging knives and swords that can both be functional and works of art. At that point Allison asked him what he would love to do that was “feasible”. Frustrated with having this same conversation over and over again, Allison prayed in the car on her way to meet her friend, Ingrid.

A few days prior Ingrid and her husband, Aaron, had watched a segment on CBS Sunday Morning that made them think of Jason. The segment was on Bob Kramer, a Master Bladesmith. On the show Mr. Kramer also talked about struggling with dyslexia and finding a line of work he could commit his life to. Jason had never talked to Aaron or Ingrid about his dream of becoming a bladesmith, but for some reason the profile seemed to fit Jason’s situation.

The night Allison had her conversation with Jason about forging knives Allison shared her concerns with Ingrid about her husband and finding a career path. With no mention of bladesmithing, Ingrid told Allison about the segment on CBS Sunday Morning and offered forging knives as a suggestion. Allison looked at Ingrid and asked her if she had spoken to Jason about this. Ingrid swore she hadn’t. Feeling overjoyed about getting such a quick answer to a prayer Allison raced home to tell Jason the story. With tears in her eyes she promised to help him and support him on his journey to becoming a bladesmith.

Allison followed through on her promise and commitment to this goal by emailing Bob Kramer to find out how he started his journey to the forge. Amazingly, Mr. Kramer found the time and was gracious enough to write back and encouraged Jason to attend the introduction class to Bladesmithing in Old Washington Arkansas through Texarcana College.

Before he knew it, Jason was on his life path and knew that this was where he belonged.

Jason is infinitely thankful for the circumstances that brought him to the start of his journey and eternally grateful for the new community of fellow smithers he has met along the way. Since that first class Jason has participated in several other courses to enhance his skills, enjoyed a Hammerin social event during a family road trip through Ohio, and has filled several orders that have pushed his comfort limits, bringing him closer to his goal of becoming a master bladesmith.