In a small workshop in Greeley, the steady clang of a hammer on steel carries on a tradition that’s over a century old. Levi Graham, a bladesmith with deep roots in Colorado’s ranching history, has been handcrafting knives since 2011. Each one reflects the grit and beauty of the Western spirit.
Levi’s knife-making journey began with equal parts curiosity and necessity. While shopping for hunting gear, he spotted a Damascus steel knife he admired but couldn’t justify the price. At the time, he was already making his own sheaths, a hobby that soon grew into a bigger challenge: forging the blades themselves. “My first knife was a complete failure,” Levi admits with a laugh, “but I’ve been hooked ever since.”
His knives begin as a thick bar of high-carbon steel, heated in the forge, and hammered into shape. Next, Levi grinds, tempers, and sharpens the blade entirely by hand—a process that takes a week. His work is known for a unique topographical texture on the blade, a nod to the rugged Rocky Mountains. The sheaths, made from rawhide and decorated with fringe, quillwork, and beading, add to the Old West feel. Handles, crafted from antler, sheep horn, or wrapped in copper, give each knife the look of something storied.
While Levi draws inspiration from tradition, his knives aren’t replicas. Using modern steels and techniques, he crafts “contemporary frontier knives”—tools for real work yet distinct enough for display as collector’s pieces. Many end up on mantels or in private collections, but every blade is built to last and intended as an heirloom.
Knife-making is more than a craft for Levi—it’s a family tradition. His brother works beside him in the forge, and now his nephew is learning the trade too—a passing down of skills he hopes will mirror the way his knives are passed from one generation to the next.
With a loyal following of collectors, Levi continues to forge what inspires him. Every knife that leaves his workshop carries more than just sharp steel. It tells a story of hard work, tradition, and the enduring spirit of Colorado’s frontier.
