The Creative Edge: Buddy Thomas, aka The Deaf Bladesmith, Shares Art Through Bladesmithing
For most people, a hammer is just a tool. For Buddy Thomas of Quapaw, Oklahoma, it changed his life twice.
At 3 years old, Buddy lost his hearing after being struck on the head by another child with a claw hammer.
“He was 5 or 6, still too young to understand the severity of his actions,” Buddy said. “We were smashing Hot Wheels cars with a claw hammer. The boy decided to see what that hammer could do to my head and he hit me square on the noggin once and knocked me out cold.”
The injury caused a concussion and eventually permanent hearing loss. Years later, that same tool, a hammer, became central to his artistry and livelihood.
Buddy said his interest in knives was rekindled in 2011 after a conversation with a coworker about handmade blades. He gathered scrap steel from a junk pile, found a few basic tools at a flea market and converted an old barbecue smoker into a forge.
“My first functional hand-forged knife was born,” he said. “It wasn’t pretty, but I was proud of it. That’s when the fire was lit.”
That spark grew into Tree of Liberty Bladecraft, his full-time bladesmithing business.
“The common misconception is that it is a hobby,” he said. “It’s a way of life. To have the skill to produce complex builds is no easy task.”
Buddy now teaches others how to bladesmith
He works primarily through the forging method, where steel is heated and shaped by hand.
The process is intense. It starts with a bar of high-grade steel, which Buddy heats in a propane forge, then shapes on an anvil, grinds, tempers and finishes by hand. The metal is heated to more than 1,475° degrees Fahrenheit before it is quenched, cleaned and fitted with custom handles made from materials such as stabilized wood or ivory.
“You can create more than one of the same design, but no two pieces will ever be exactly identical,” he said.
Buddy said one of the most rewarding moments is watching clients see their finished knife for the first time. They light up, smile and often turn it over in their hands in quiet amazement.
“I also enjoy the reaction from my students when they complete their first handmade knife.”
Before he began shaping steel, he expressed his creativity through drawing and painting. He said he had always been an artist, recalling how he started with crayons on his bedroom walls and went on to win art competitions throughout school. His father, who often took him to comic and sci-fi conventions, encouraged that passion and became his biggest supporter. Buddy once dreamed of becoming a comic book artist, inspired by the characters and stories he discovered on those trips with his dad.
Buddy studied visual communications art at the University of Oklahoma and spent more than two decades as a graphic designer and T-shirt printer before switching careers.
“It was this combination and my creative eye for art that gave me the vision for success as a bladesmith,” he said.
Over the years, he has achieved several historic milestones in his field. He became the first deaf member of the American Bladesmith Society and the first and only deaf bladesmith to compete on the History Channel’s “Forged in Fire.” His appearance on the show later earned him recognition as a Top 10 Fan Favorite.
His television debut came after persistent encouragement from friends.
“Co-workers and friends asked if I had heard of the TV show,” he said. “I said yes but never watched it.” After several exchanges with casting directors, he was selected for Season 5 in 2018.
“It was a fun experience,” he said. “It actually takes about a week to film rounds one and two, which appears to be only a single day. I had the rare opportunity to experience the show with and learn about the experiences of my co-contestants. I made friends for life during those few days.”
Buddy is known online as The Deaf Bladesmith, a name that reflects both his identity and his craft. Growing up, he spent years in speech therapy, which gave him a clear speaking voice that sometimes surprises people who don’t realize he is deaf. He uses both spoken English and American Sign Language in his daily life and online videos, often adding captions so everyone can follow along. His social media followers now recognize him by that name and connect with the authenticity he brings to every post.
Among Buddy’s many commissions, a few stand out, including three knives he created for the singer Post Malone. Their connection began when Malone bought a knife from Buddy’s website that had already sold, which led to a friendly exchange over text. They agreed to make a similar piece, but as Buddy put it, “We did better.”
The result was three custom designs: a Damascus blade with ancient walrus tusk ivory handles, a deer jaw-handle Arkansas Toothpick and a black bear jaw bowie knife inspired by traditional frontier knives.
“My clients range from high-end collectors to hunters and professional chefs,” he said. “Without them I would not be where I am.”
He also credits his family for their steady support.
“My wife and my girls have been there for me since day one.”
Buddy’s advice to anyone chasing a dream is simple: “Find a class to learn the trade, find a teacher, a mentor,” he said. “YouTube and self-learning books are good, but nothing is better than in-person learning. Stay connected. Never give up on your dreams. Never let people talk you out of your passion.”
Fans can meet Buddy and see his work at OKG, Oklahoma’s largest knife show, held at the Oklahoma City Fairgrounds Feb. 20 and 21, 2026. He also plans to continue hosting Face Off at the Forge, a regional event that brings together bladesmiths from across the tri-state area.
“I’ve had several life-changing accomplishments that have cemented my place in history,” Buddy said. “But what matters most is the connection I’ve made with people, the friendships, the students, the clients who believe in what I do.”
