Ed Fowler, Master Bladesmith: Portrait of a Wyoming Knife-Maker
From: Kristin Espeland Gourlay
Length: 00:06:26
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Piece Description
Come inside Ed Fowler's workshop, where he and an apprentice make knives the way they've been made since the middle ages. Follow the process and learn the art from a salvaged steel ball-bearing to the slipping on of the sheep's horn handle. Fowler's a true Wyoming character, ensconced on his family's ranch near Riverton. And his devotion to "lady knife" (his words, not mine!) will resonate with anyone who appreciates those who throw themselves into an art with all their hearts.
2 Comments
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Review of Ed Fowler, Master Bladesmith: Portrait of a Wyoming Knife-MakerEd Fowler is a master bladesmith that is respected in the field of knife making. This informative piece just touches on the complexities of the forging/heat treating process involved in making metal pure, thus adding stregnth to the steel we refer to as mans oldest tool, Ed calls his knives a lady becauses it serves him, but respects and cares for his lady in return.Ed certaintly has an Interesting view of steel objects in the form of a functional knife.He sees it as a friend and as a companion.As a knife owner I understand the relationship one has with the style and function of such an art form.
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Broadcast History
This piece originally aired on Wyoming Public Radio's newsmagazine, "Open Spaces" in 2006. It also won second place nationally in the soft feature category from Public Radio News Directors, Inc. in 2007.
Transcript
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Read the full transcript
Timing and Cues
Suggested host intro:
You can go to a hardware store or a kitchen supplies store to buy a knife. Or you could visit Ed Fowler, master bladesmith, in Riverton, Wyoming. Fowler is teaching the centuries old art of knifemaking...from forge to cool-water bath... to an apprentice in workshop right on his ranch. His knives are so in demand there's a years-long waiting list. Wyoming Public Radio's Kristin Espeland brings us this portrait of the master bladesmith.
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tuvold snurlson
Posted on May 29, 2009 at 02:39 PM | Permalink
Excellent!
It is great to hear from a Master Bladesmith and E. Fowler is one of the best.