Brandt Noel is a Scoutmaster, bladesmith, fantasy fanatic, Guinness World Record holder and founder and owner of Crushing Force Blades. I sat down with Brandt to talk about his Hunter series of knives, his dealings with the Texas Rangers, his art and his inspirations.
How did you become a bladesmith?
I have always been interested in swords and knives since I was a kid. My father had all kinds of metal working tools and I was constantly in his shop, usually trying to make blades. As I got older, the blades got a little better. It wasn’t until my 20’s that I started to seek out other makers to learn from.
When and how did the fantasy aspect enter into the picture?
From the start really; books and movies, ninjas and knights. My family had a volume set of short stories that I read all the way through, several Arthurian stories starting with Balin and Balan, a set of twin knights. I’m a twin.
Of course, growing up in the 80’s meant ninja movies. The fantasy aspect emerged when I got into reading comic and role-playing games – when I really started designing blades. I loved R.A. Salvatore’s Dark Elf series. That’s when I really got started making “weapons.” The first serious thing I made was a war hammer inspired by the series. Hence, that’s what inspired the name of my company, Crushing Force.
Tell us about the Hunter series.
It is a CPM3v steel blade 61RC. CPM3v is the perfect combination of durability and edge retention for a superior super tough and sharp blade. It’s 13″ over all with an 8 1/2 ” blade length. The handle is a very ergonomic Linen Micarta grip that lends very well to a forward grip but was designed intentionally to favor a pinch grip suitable for field dressing or skinning. There is a smaller version with a 4″ blade slated for production in the next few months.
Tell us about what you’re working on for the Texas Rangers.
I am working on a series of knives for the Texas Rangers. Originally, I intended to make a few knives to show them. They liked them and asked me to make more. The main idea is a knife made 100 percent right here in Texas.
You craft a lot of custom pieces. Tell us about some of the stranger requests you’ve received.
I’ve made blades for movies and sword swallowers, as well as high end blades for collectors and martial artists. The strangest thing I was commissioned to make would be something a friend dubbed “The Battle Paddle,” a 5-foot oar made of solid hardened steel and sharpened. The commissioner’s design was based on Musashi’s* famous duel in which he defeated his opponent with a boat oar. It weighed around 15 lbs and could split logs. Serious Overkill.
You set the new world record for cutting Japanese tatami mats with a katana by cutting through 19 mats. How did that come about? Was the sword you used one of yours?
I trained in the Japanese arts because I really like the Samurai swords. My love of swords actually pushed me pretty far in that aspect: Japanese Jujutsu, Aikido, Karate, Tai Jutsu and of course swords. The katana I used to set the Guinness World record was made at a shop I worked for at the time.
See Brandt earn his Guinness World Record https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyR9dS05GeM
*Musashi Miyamoto (1584-1645) was Japan’s Greatest Swordsman and Samurai. He created a style of kenjutsu that uses two swords simultaneously, and won 60 duels to the death.
Contact Brandt through the Crushing Force Blades Facebook Page HERE
Visit author Gayne C. Young HERE