Wuertz Hammer In · Info, Instructors, and FAQ

Devin Thomas has been making knives since 1978 at the age of 13. Devin gained an interest in mechanical work and making things while working with his father, a welder, at a young age. Devin’s first knife was a straight knife with a walnut handle and a simple guard.

Devin worked for Knifemaker’s Guild member Bob Lofgreen of Lakeside, AZ at the age of 16 where he learned many tricks of the trade. Devin won the award for Most Impressive Award for a New Knifemaker at the age of 17. In 1986 he made his first Damascus. He found that his Damascus was flying off the show table, so he began producing it full-time. In 1991 he produced his first stainless Damascus, which was very rare at the time. Devin became well-known for his stainless Damascus and clean, repeatable patterns. His unique and mesmerizing Damascus patterns, like Spirograph and Dot Matrix, have often been copied. Devin received the honor of being inducted into the Cutlery Hall of Fame in 2023.

Devin will be discussing Damascus pattern development and the performance of pattern-welded steel at the 2024 Wuertz Hammer In.

Mareko Maumasi is a bladesmith and Damascus wizard from Olympia, Washington. A constant artist and innovator, Mareko has always enjoyed working with his hands to create something from nothing. When he was young, he was constantly drawing, building, and creating. As he got older, he jumped into the culinary world, working in kitchens, and discovering the tools associated. Eventually, he was given the opportunity to combine his two great passions, food and creating, and became one of the foremost custom culinary knife makers in the world.

Mareko is an award-winning knifemaker and has been featured on Forged in Fire twice. His current focus is on developing new techniques and approaches for pattern welded steel, and deepening his understanding of how the material moves. Mareko is passionate about sharing his knowledge with the greater knifemaking community and strives to uplift the knifemaking craft through education and collaboration.

Michael Quesenberry has been a knife maker since 2005. He is an active member of the American Bladesmith Society. In May of 2009 he received his Journeyman Bladesmith stamp at the Blade Show in Atlanta, Georgia. In May of 2014 he earned his Mastersmith stamp at the Bladeshow in Atlanta, Georgia. Along with his stamp he received the BR Hughes award for the best mastersmith knife presented.

The majority of his knives are forged, but on occasion he will do stock removal on stainless steel at a customer’s request. From forging the steel to leather work, Michael enjoys the process of  creating a one-of-a-kind piece. Everything is done “In-house”, including Damascus, heat treating, and cryogenic treatment.

“A custom knife should do three things well: Be visually appealing, well-balanced in the hand, and hold a razor-sharp edge.” From paper sketches to the polished product, Mike’s designs are a balance of solid construction techniques and visual appeal. “The true soul of the blade comes from proper techniques, start to finish.”

Vince has been a full-time bladesmith since 1981 specializing in creating historically accurate and historically inspired swords and knives. He has traveled internationally to research and study in museums and private collections to ensure that his work is within historical parameters.

His work has been on display at The British Museum, The National Museum of Ireland, and at the Culloden Visitor Centre. At the 2024 Hammer In, Vince is planning to demonstrate an edge wrapped multi-bar weld, like he does on his Anglo-Saxon swords.

Instructor info coming soon!

Eric started making knives with his youngest son in 2004. While learning to make knives he gained an interest in designing and making machinery associated with knife making. Almost all of his early equipment was designed and made in his shop. This included electronic controlled forges, heat treat ovens, grinders, electronically automated hydraulic press and associated controls, salt pots, and many other tools. Most of these tools are still used to this day.

His early knives were stock removal and forged fixed blades. Later he became very interested in folding knives as well. Production of San Mai and Damascus steels has become a part of the knife-making journey.

One of his focuses has been sharing knowledge and helping bladesmiths increase their quality/production rate through tools with knowledge feedback and precision. He is always looking to learn more through sharing time with others.

Eric’s first time teaching at Travis Wuertz Hammer-in was in 2013 – this is one of his favorite events of the year.

Instructor info coming soon!

Instructor info coming soon!

Instructor info coming soon!