About the Blade smith
About the Blade smith
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Chad Thompson
Chad Thompson is the founder and bladesmith behind Bad Chad's Forge, a New Mexico-based knife-making studio devoted to creating high-quality, handcrafted blades. Chad trained at the prestigious Bill Moran School of Bladesmithing in Texarkana, Texas, where he studied under Master Smiths to learn traditional forging, heat treating, and advanced blade design techniques. This formal education laid the foundation for his craftsmanship and artistic approach to blade making.
Chad Thompson is the founder and bladesmith behind Bad Chad's Forge, a New Mexico-based knife-making studio devoted to creating high-quality, handcrafted blades. Chad trained at the prestigious Bill Moran School of Bladesmithing in Texarkana, Texas, where he studied under Master Smiths to learn traditional forging, heat treating, and advanced blade design techniques. This formal education laid the foundation for his craftsmanship and artistic approach to blade making.
What began as a personal hobby quickly grew into a professional calling as chefs, outdoorsmen, and collectors sought out Chad’s distinctive knives. Drawing on years of practice and experimentation, he developed a signature style that blends rugged functionality with refined artistry. Every blade he creates is forged with precision, using premium materials and a meticulous process to ensure superior balance, durability, and edge retention.
What began as a personal hobby quickly grew into a professional calling as chefs, outdoorsmen, and collectors sought out Chad’s distinctive knives. Drawing on years of practice and experimentation, he developed a signature style that blends rugged functionality with refined artistry. Every blade he creates is forged with precision, using premium materials and a meticulous process to ensure superior balance, durability, and edge retention.
At Bad Chad’s Forge, Chad is dedicated to producing knives that are not only reliable tools but also functional works of art. He believes a great knife should feel like an extension of the hand and stand the test of time. Whether destined for the kitchen, the field, or a collector’s display, each knife embodies Chad’s passion for craftsmanship and commitment to excellence.
At Bad Chad’s Forge, Chad is dedicated to producing knives that are not only reliable tools but also functional works of art. He believes a great knife should feel like an extension of the hand and stand the test of time. Whether destined for the kitchen, the field, or a collector’s display, each knife embodies Chad’s passion for craftsmanship and commitment to excellence.
Heat Treating Knives
A knife’s journey begins as a simple bar of steel. In the forge, the steel is heated until it glows a brilliant orange — soft enough to shape, yet strong enough to hold its essence. With each strike of the hammer, the bladesmith gives it form: drawing out the blade, tapering the tip, and shaping the tang where the handle will rest. This is where the knife’s soul is born, hammered into existence with patience and skill.
A knife’s journey begins as a simple bar of steel. In the forge, the steel is heated until it glows a brilliant orange — soft enough to shape, yet strong enough to hold its essence. With each strike of the hammer, the bladesmith gives it form: drawing out the blade, tapering the tip, and shaping the tang where the handle will rest. This is where the knife’s soul is born, hammered into existence with patience and skill.
Once the rough shape is formed, the blade is normalized and heat treated — a delicate dance of heating and cooling that hardens the steel while preserving its toughness. It is then tempered, relieving brittleness so it can flex without breaking. From here, the blade is ground and refined, the bevels shaped and the edge thinned until it becomes razor sharp. The surface is sanded smooth or polished to a mirror finish, revealing the beauty hidden within the steel.
Once the rough shape is formed, the blade is normalized and heat treated — a delicate dance of heating and cooling that hardens the steel while preserving its toughness. It is then tempered, relieving brittleness so it can flex without breaking. From here, the blade is ground and refined, the bevels shaped and the edge thinned until it becomes razor sharp. The surface is sanded smooth or polished to a mirror finish, revealing the beauty hidden within the steel.
Finally, the knife receives its handle — wood, bone, or micarta carefully shaped to fit the hand — and is pinned, epoxied, and finished. The blade is honed to a fine edge, tested, and brought to life as both a tool and a piece of art. From raw steel to finished blade, the process is slow, exacting, and deeply personal — each knife carrying the spirit and skill of its maker.
Finally, the knife receives its handle — wood, bone, or micarta carefully shaped to fit the hand — and is pinned, epoxied, and finished. The blade is honed to a fine edge, tested, and brought to life as both a tool and a piece of art. From raw steel to finished blade, the process is slow, exacting, and deeply personal — each knife carrying the spirit and skill of its maker.
Chad and Karen Thompson
Chad Thompson is a proud native New Mexican, born and raised in Los Lunas. Deeply rooted in his community, Chad has always carried a love for hands-on craftsmanship and creating with purpose. In 2015, he met his wife, Karen Thompson, who has been his steadfast partner and greatest supporter throughout his journey.
Chad Thompson is a proud native New Mexican, born and raised in Los Lunas. Deeply rooted in his community, Chad has always carried a love for hands-on craftsmanship and creating with purpose. In 2015, he met his wife, Karen Thompson, who has been his steadfast partner and greatest supporter throughout his journey.
After suffering a serious back injury, Chad faced a long and challenging recovery. During that time, he discovered the show Forged in Fire, which sparked a fascination with bladesmithing. What began as a therapeutic hobby quickly revealed Chad’s natural talent and passion for the craft. Recognizing his potential, Karen encouraged him to pursue formal training at the prestigious Bill Moran School of Bladesmithing in Texarkana, Texas, which he attended in 2022.
After suffering a serious back injury, Chad faced a long and challenging recovery. During that time, he discovered the show Forged in Fire, which sparked a fascination with bladesmithing. What began as a therapeutic hobby quickly revealed Chad’s natural talent and passion for the craft. Recognizing his potential, Karen encouraged him to pursue formal training at the prestigious Bill Moran School of Bladesmithing in Texarkana, Texas, which he attended in 2022.
With support from the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and the Small Business Development Center at UNM-Valencia Workforce Training Center, Chad gained the training, guidance, and startup funding needed to turn his passion into a thriving business. Today, through Bad Chad's Forge, he channels his resilience and creativity into forging high-quality, handcrafted knives — each one a testament to perseverance, craftsmanship, and love for his craft.
With support from the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and the Small Business Development Center at UNM-Valencia Workforce Training Center, Chad gained the training, guidance, and startup funding needed to turn his passion into a thriving business. Today, through Bad Chad's Forge, he channels his resilience and creativity into forging high-quality, handcrafted knives — each one a testament to perseverance, craftsmanship, and love for his craft.
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