PABLO Lanaspa did not have any family reference nor did he know anyone who dedicated himself to this trade, he began collecting knives that he bought “at fairs and gas stations” and today, thanks to his tenacity and his perfectionist spirit, he has become the second Spaniard to achieve the title Journeyman Bladesmiths with which master knife makers are recognized throughout the world and that it is also the highest international consideration that these artisans hold. With his hands he manufactures authentic works of art, many of them desired by collectors and using only two materials, wood and steel.
He is proud of this achievement, although achieving this distinction has not been easy, behind are many hours of work and having passed two very rigorous tests“the first in Belgium, in Brussels, three years ago and the second a few weeks ago in Atlanta, in the United States”.
In the first examination his two knives had to prove their validity in what is called knife performance and it consisted of “cut a rope, two blocks of wood 10 x 5 centimeters and bend the knife 90 degrees”, Pablo details and notes with satisfaction that “the seven judges unanimously gave me the go-ahead”.
In the second, “which took place within the framework of the largest knife fair in the world”, he adds, “I presented five models in which finishes and symmetry were valued”. And it highlights the difficulty of these tests. “In Atlanta, out of 50 candidates we passed the exam just over half.” For Pablo, beyond the pressure of taking the exam, the experience was absolutely satisfactory, “in addition to interacting with other professionals and exchanging impressions, it has allowed me to meet people and establish contacts that will come in handy for the future.”
It started as a hobby
Pablo works as a bailiff in Berdún and in his spare time he began to gather information “looking on the internet for details about the process of making knives in an artisanal way”, that was “around the year 2008”, then came the many attempts and the first piece, “15 years ago I finished the first knife”.
And since then his hobby has been occupying more and more hours and he has been perfecting his technique and affirms with satisfaction that “Now each knife is better than the previous one due to this constant learning process” in which he has invested “many hours”.
In his eagerness to improve, Pablo has even built “some of the machines used in the process, including a special hydraulic press.” A very complex task that includes numerous processes: “there is a first part that is more forging work in which the metal is heated, it is deformed with a hammer and other machines, it is also tempered in a thermometered oven to give it hardness and then comes the manual work that accounts for 90% of the preparation and involves a large number of hours sanding”.
A process that has repeatedseveral hundred times” in all these years in the workshop that has been installed at home and his knives, pocket knives and some swords that have ended up “in the hands of friends and familys” and in the future he does not rule out dedicating himself professionally to this business. And it is that these types of pieces are highly coveted, “any knife in this range is sold from 3,000 euros onwards and there are many who are dedicated to collecting them”.
And remember that in addition to exclusive pieces, “they are knives that have the same use as any of those at home and could be used on a day-to-day basis”.