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Richard Patterson (b. 1986) is a full-time bladesmith based in Woodbury, Minnesota, whose work represents a fusion of precision and performance. Patterson’s knives are instantly recognizable for their crisp grinds, fluid lines, and practical elegance — each designed not just to be admired, but to perform flawlessly. <click to read more...>
Richard Patterson (b. 1986) is a full-time bladesmith based in Woodbury, Minnesota, whose work represents a fusion of precision and performance. Patterson’s knives are instantly recognizable for their crisp grinds, fluid lines, and practical elegance — each designed not just to be admired, but to perform flawlessly.
Rich’s fascination with knives began early, growing up in Cleveland, Ohio, in a family that valued hands-on workmanship. His father traveled the world setting up CNC machines, while his mother worked as a beautician — both meticulous trades requiring skill, precision, and problem-solving. “They were both very hands-on,” Rich recalls. “That definitely rubbed off on me early.”
As a child, he treated flea markets as treasure hunts, collecting old knives to rehandle. His woodworking skills grew as he took every shop and woodworking class available in high school. While collecting was fun, it wasn’t enough — he wanted to understand how things were made. “I was that weird knife kid,” he jokes, recalling how his early fascination with tools and materials became the foundation for his career as a bladesmith.
Patterson realized early on that college wasn’t his path. Before becoming a full-time bladesmith, right out of high school, Rich began training as a commercial electrician, completing a rigorous five-year IBEW apprenticeship. He loved working with his hands and being sent to a different jobsite every week. The trade honed his precision and discipline. “With electrical work, tolerances matter — you get it right or it doesn’t work,” he says. “That mindset is perfect for knifemaking.” While he built a career in electrical work, knifemaking grew from a weekend obsession into a calling.
In 2016, Rich took his first formal bladesmithing class, deepening his understanding of metallurgy, knife geometry, and design. He began building his own grinders and tools, teaching himself through books, forums, and trial and error. Encouraged by the tight-knit knife community, he joined the Midwest Knifemakers Guild in 2021, surrounding himself with peers who shared his pursuit for improvement.
In 2022, after years of study and experimentation, Rich earned his Journeyman Smith ranking from the American Bladesmith Society (ABS) — a milestone that reflected his drive for technical mastery and validated his artistic vision. That same year, judges at Blade Show - Texas honored him with the Best Chef Knife Award, recognizing his craftsmanship on a national stage.
Working full-time from his custom-built workshop in Woodbury, Rich makes every knife by hand. At the center of his shop stands a 106-pound Anyang power hammer — a tool he uses to create unique damascus designs and transform steel into functional pieces of art. His work focuses primarily on crafting culinary knives known for their clean lines, balance, and exceptional performance.
Each knife begins with raw materials — often forged from carbon steel or damascus of his own creation — and evolves into a high-performance tool. Rich’s handle designs reveal his deep understanding of ergonomics, flow, and materials. His background in woodworking and electrical layout informs his attention to proportion and feel, resulting in knives that are not only elegant but perfectly balanced.
Producing around seventy-five knives per year, Rich balances custom orders with small-batch work to ensure that every piece receives personal attention. His goal is simple: to create knives that connect maker, material, and user in a way that ensures they will be used and treasured for generations.
“I love the process,” he says. “Taking something as raw and basic as steel and turning it into something that will outlast me — that’s what keeps me coming back to the forge every day.”
Damascus Chef's Knife (8 in.) with Australian Blackwood |
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Integral Mosaic Damascus Chef's Knife (9 in.) with African Blackwood - Best Kitchen Knife - Blade Show Texas |
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