Mad Dwarf Workshop - Hand Forged Swords

Ever since we were little kids, we've been completely enthralled by epic myths, legends, and heroic stories from history. Whether it was an afternoon spent in the woods hacking down bushes with wooden swords; or building our own mini castles out of cinder blocks on our parent's farm; we have always been in love with those other worlds and ancient times that authors and poets like J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, John Bunyan, G.K. Chesterton, and many others told so well. We still try to hold that wild adventurous spirit in mind and heart. It inspires us to craft swords and other works of art that evoke those same feelings. Along with our love for those stories growing up came a profound connection with the natural landscapes we grew up in, and the rich cultural history passed down from generation to generation in our families. The combination of those stories, nature, and history all together shaped us as creative individuals. But as we grew older we began to grasp the reasons and realities as to why we were so enthralled by those things.

Lewis perfectly described that feeling we were so familiar with when he described what he called "joy" as the longing for your true home not of this earth. It's a feeling that every man knows no matter how much he tries to deny it or bury it under postmodern, secular, narrow thinking. Tolkien, Lewis, and the many other writers and artists who have inspired us all held a common link: they were not only amazing authors poets and artists, but they were also strong yet humble Godly Christian men. They poured their passions, convictions, and ideas into their works by showing positive themes and strong values. Their stories and art offer time-tested lessons of truth and morality regardless of one's beliefs or worldview. These authors and artists we've so admired were also strikingly non-religious and refreshingly open-minded in their faith. They were able to dive into those ancient worlds and texts without bias and with genuine respect. They retold epic tales in ways that no one had ever witnessed before. So for us, seeing and reading the works of these amazing men was extremely stimulating and inspiring. Even at a very young age, we aimed to try and use our gifts and abilities to bring these worlds and moral themes to life. As a result, things like Anglo Saxon poetry and the medieval romances suddenly began to take on a whole new life. We began to study all of the things that inspired us at a serious academic level as we grew older. Whether it was an amazing opportunity to visit Oxford England and study the lives of our heroes up close, or learn the basics of this craft from some of the kindest and most knowledgable smiths alive. We studied and still continue to study all of these ancient forms of art that hold truths about valor, honor, respect, and morality which are rarely seen today so that we can hopefully better portray them through our own work.

Together all of these things shaped us growing up, and have motivated us to try and live less legalistically and religiously; but more simply, more generously, more honorably, more lovingly, and more open mindedly in a compassionate Christ- centered way. The positive impact these stories and works of art have had on us is profound. We use our love of these classics to fuel our creativity; motivate our work and provide purpose in the process of creating our art.

Our first aim and goal as artists has been to pursue the craft of swordsmithing, and try to bring it to life in a way that is respectful to the past yet looking forward to the future. Obviously throughout history, there have been times when mankind has followed his fallen nature, and chosen to use the sword for evil instead of good. Whether it was the Crusades, where thousands of people who claimed to be “Christians” twisted the word of God and contradicted everything Jesus Christ taught about love and respect. Or be it the violence throughout the dark ages between warring European nations bent on their own selfish gain with no regard for human life.
Those are the exact kinds of dark patches in human history that we want our swords to speak and stand against! We want our swords to simply be positive symbols for the God-given good that we all inherently and undeniably know. We want them to be crafted as symbolic tools to protect human life, not to destroy it.

Yet still, to some a sword may be just that: a sword. But we hope that when you view or hold one of our swords, you feel those wild adventurous feelings, and are inspired to live not in violence, hatred or revenge, but with honor, respect, morality, and love towards other human beings.

We hope that through our work you feel the same emotions and see the same things we see through the medium of this ancient craft.
God bless you on your trail ahead, and may your forge stay afire.

Andy Davis & David DelaGardelle
- Mad Dwarf Workshop -