What amazes me most... is that she can keep those nice nails while doing this kind of work. I have to keep my nails trimmed as short as possible or I end up with cracked broken and painful things happening with my nails, hands and fingers. But I have huge respect for anyone that can do this type of work... especially to the level of craftsmanship and art that this lady does. Good for you!

What a great discovery!! I am a blacksmith, for 36 yrs., a member of a contemplative community of nuns in Ct. who steward a working farm and land conservation area, with gardens, sheep, cattle, dairy, chickens, forestry, pastureland machinery, etc. and Pray seven times through the 24 hrs. of the day and night...Our primary mission. Our forge was built in 1750, I began with traditional technique and then acquired skills as the needs of our community called for me to answer. So... many of my male apprentices have wanted to learn bladesmithing. So..., I've got to learn!!! and I have sent this video forward. This is one of the best parts of blacksmiths... None of us can ever know-it-all, so I am always learning and when you teach the students are a big driving force and I know that same JOY when you see the "newbie" awaken to the challenge of the forge. So happy to have found you.

@cscott1270

5 жыл бұрын

wow what an inspiration.

@audradraper5689

5 жыл бұрын

You are truly an inspiration

@clayguinard3651

5 жыл бұрын

You could take on volunteer help, I'm from Maine I'd happily volunteer long term

@heardashot

5 жыл бұрын

God bless you & your hands and good health to you and your work. Greetings from Ireland.

I love how supportive her husband is. Not trying to steal the show or anything, just flat support of her skill and passion

@markrigsby2425

5 жыл бұрын

Why not?

@audradraper5689

5 жыл бұрын

Yes he is very supportive and a amazing artist!

Mike is a lucky guy to have a wife like Audra. In turn, she is fortunate to have a man who helps and supports her in her life's work. Loved every moment of this video.

This is just a really great story with a really great couple having a really great life. I got into knife-making at the age of 59 because of forged in fire. I so wish I would have got into it much earlier as I love this art. I love that she says how she will do this for the rest of her life until she can't swing a hammer but of course she's got a back-up plan , a power hammer!

What an amazing story, a Husband and Wife team like that can't be beat. Each one does anything they can to make the team successful. I love the dagger at the end of the video, a real work of art the bolsters, blade and handle go so well together it's just amazing.

Your video was fantastic. This is where love and compassion for the work that you do makes the difference. Both of y'all are fantastic. The dagger was spectacular.

She's got a magical spirit, a very special lady. What a inspiration. Greetings from a small village in Ireland reaching out if it was only to say thank you. My little girl will help her daddy in the forge where I will encourage her as much as you has encouraged me with your video. Good health to you & thanks again.

My wife is an iron worker she went to school to get her welding certifications and now she does structural steel and rebar work

Wow. You go sister! I thought I'd never seen a video on a woman bladesmith. Congratulations you are an inspiration!

there is something to be admired in a woman that can brave a mostly man run craft like blacksmithing, salute Audra. 😉

Thank you for this great interview with an awesome master bladesmith.

I'm so glad I found this video. I've yet to meet a female bladesmith, which makes it kinda tough as I start this journey. I am very much inspired seeing this.

Wow what a knife you made 😍👍😎 I love it, great job. Thank you for sharing. ❤️😍👍😎

Simply brilliant.

Hi there! I wish I knew that you all did this when I was in highschool! Audra Nisely(Yennie) here! Riverton native! Awesome work!! Looking forward to taking some classes when we get back home this Spring!!

Awesome, makes me very proud of Wyoming and it’s people. What a great story!

Thanks for all those videos

Beautiful team work , beautiful knives

Awesome story. Beautiful knives.

Wow, what a story! Congrats to to the Drapers; one heck of a team for sure.....

Wow,Wow,Wow. What a refreshing story. Keep up the good work.

Gorgeous steel. It’s great to to see such an ancient art still alive.

I own two knives she's made. One had a snake-wood handle that cracked and she replaced the handle at no charge!

@audradraper5689

5 жыл бұрын

Well, Hello!

@fredfry5100

5 жыл бұрын

@@audradraper5689 Are you gonna go on Forged in Fire. There has only been one female winner to date. That was the falcata episode.

Love your vid and the stage coaches, oil pump, beautiful country.

So awesome , congrats. Cool earrings as well!

WoW, That is awesome....... Thanks for sharing....

Your story is so cool, good for you Audra.

Beautiful work and I can see you have solved the big secret that a lot of people are still trying to find and it's what my father taught me and I passed it on to my son and 2 daughters and that is ( TAKE PRIDE IN EVERYTHING YOU DO AND RESPECT THE MATERIAL) THANK YOU!) JAKE BISSEL.

This person is awesome, She teaches the fundamentals, encourages the art and style in her student's imaginations and allows them to merge into our reality. You can't invent talent like that, that talent was simply meant to be.

@audradraper5689

5 жыл бұрын

thank you!

wow that GREAT!!!!! beautiful work

Happy to see the craft getting some PBS publicity! Audra seems awesome!

Beauty Queen moving the steel scene! I feel blessed to have seen this vid...awesome American Woman!!!

Amazing work ,I love it when a woman shows she can do it just as good if not better than a man ,we are all unique, so be unique

I think a good knife maker stems from who the person is, not what they are. From what little I’ve seen here, I’m willing to bet you make some darn good cuttin’ tools! Thanks.

So awesome!

Gorgeous...and the knife aint bad either!

Great story.👍

It’s a awesome class to take they both have a ton of knowledge and a lot of fun

@audradraper5689

5 жыл бұрын

Thank you! We do have FUN!

to create a knife from red hot steel is such an art, for it to have enough hardness to hold an edge with just enough flex to bend not break, to make the handle be comfortable in the hand, it is very much a higher tier craftsmanship.

I love this story.

She's gorgeous!❤️

Nice to see someone step up to the plate and swing for the fences instead of complaining. She swatted one out of the park. Wonder if she ever thought of going on Forged in Fire?

Back when we lived in Lander, 'bout 1984, I think, I went to the Winter fair and met a couple of fellows from Riverton selling knives and they called their outfit "DC Knives." It was from them that I purchased the one and only custom knife I ever bought. The blade had two outer layers of softer, more pliable steel, and one bonded central cutting edge that has proven to be the best edge holder I've ever known. Have you heard of these folks? I don't know if they're still in business, but since you live in Riverton, I thought to ask. I still tell all my friends they they should own at least one fine, custom-made knife! God bless you and yours!

@audradraper5689

5 жыл бұрын

Dont know who they would be? But its true, every one should own at least one really good blade.

I know you know what you are doing. Great skill. I was horrified that you would get that beautiful hair wrapped up in that Little Giant. Then I saw you had it pulled back. I know of two women who were scalped. Both with ag equipment. Nope not a scaredy cat nor puss cake. I just bleed a lot in my shop! Congratulations from an Old Texas Cowboy.

awesome, would love to take a class, maybe some day as I have to keep adding to my bucket list because things are getting checked off, like living in Alaska, beautiful state, not like anything here in the lower 48

@audradraper5689

5 жыл бұрын

We have a class scheduled every month! Hope to see you down in Wyoming some day!

Ok first of all, thank you for being in the trade. Second, I don't believe that someone has anything to prove by struggling for it except off his-her work. Just keep up the good work and follow your heart at all times.

Very nice. Looks like your what's happening in Riverton. Your awesome. 🤗🤗🤗🤗

Saludos desde Nicaragua muy buena forja......te felicito

just tripped across this.. I met you years ago at the Atlanta Blade show via a friend of mine.. Roger Pol. unfortunately Roger has left us.. Hope to see you at this years show..

@audradraper5689

5 жыл бұрын

Sorry to hear that! Hope to see you soon in HOTLANTA!

Outstanding workmanship

What a great team!!!

She’s amazing! You go girl! .....Where can I buy her knives?

@audradraper5689

4 жыл бұрын

Audra Draper or Draper Knives on facebook. Thank you for your kind words.

Loved the videod

I collect Randall made knives. Now, I want one made from her! Amazing work she does! Check her work out!

Have you ever thought about doing Forged in Fire we have the programme here in the U.K. and I must admit I find it fascinating enjoyed the vid.

@MatthewJSmith-gv7wo

5 жыл бұрын

We have it here in the states too.

Good for u that is amazing !

Well done ma’am!

Not so much with my parents, but I always took the word Can't as a challenge.

Mr. Draper is a lucky man to be married to such a beautiful and talented woman!

Thats so cool

Beauty, Brains and Brawn. And makes knives to boot.

Amazing

would have been good to see more of her knives

@audradraper5689

5 жыл бұрын

We have a facebook page with a few galleries .. Draper Knives. Thank you for the comments.

This is fabulous! I’m interested in your class! How many to a class and how much?

@audradraper5689

5 жыл бұрын

the class is limited to 4 students its four days and its $550.00 for the class. All meals are included and you leave with a finished knife. adraper@wyoming.com for more info.

Awesome!

Just goes to show behind every great woman is a good man.

This is one of favorite side of america ....you can find everything yoı looking for

Interesting hairstyle for working with heat, hammers and moving power tools!

Incredible story

i like this week❤❤❤❤❤

No room for Ego in happiness.Just allow the pieces to fall where they may,naturally.Lucky family.

Will she be on that "Forged in Fire" tv show? (or has she already?)

@matthewmcnabb7437

4 жыл бұрын

Just Me she’s far beyond that show. As an abs master smith she’s better qualified to judge the show than be a contestant

@user-cs3hi8zp7p

4 жыл бұрын

Like Matthew said, only as a judge...way beyond having something to prove as a contestant. She's a Mastersmith!

@garethbaus5471

4 жыл бұрын

Generally speaking most of the people competing on forged in fire are hobbyists, and a lot of the full time bladesmiths tend to dominate the competition which generally isn't very entertaining compared to hyping the uncertainty of a close call. Perhaps as a judge.

I really love Damascus blades.

Awesome

Beautiful

I love it when folks from my town of birth make good!

Do you know any other female blade-smiths? I've never met a female smith in person before. Quite rare.

@audradraper5689

4 жыл бұрын

Haley DesRosier , Veronique Laurent both received there masters in 2012 I think. Female bladesmiths are rare but are growing in popularity!

Super cool

wish you lived in mich. love to take your class

@audradraper5689

4 жыл бұрын

we have rooms available! its a 4 day class, Wyoming is beautiful in the winter! lol

Strangely enough I've ran into the same attitude with the ABS Master smiths on several occasions . On one occasion someone from the ABS shouted "" Yo boy, when your over here [ in the USA ] You do what we tell you " 160 Master smith ! How many Journeymen smith ? There is other ways of achieving Mastery in Knife forging than the ABS way ! All it takes is hard work .

@clydeulmer4484

5 жыл бұрын

I find that attitude deeply saddening. Especially so because I have a gallery of pics of your blades that I turn to for inspiration, in particular your handles and guards. And I understand your frustration -- I never even went for my Journeyman rating because the tradition-drenched ABS "culture" seemed so antithetical to the blades I enjoy making.

@audradraper5689

5 жыл бұрын

@@clydeulmer4484 My husband chose not to go for his master for the same reasons. He doesnt enjoy Bowies or Daggers, He chooses more of a tactical style knife. But his work is absolutely amazing!

You are a lucky man. Take care of her.

Congrats

What a stunning girl

well done ma'am

Wonderful. That's a lot of hair near that forge.

Audra is also one hell of a good nurse.

@audradraper5689

5 жыл бұрын

Hi! and Thanks

3:10 looks like Sting (Frodo's sword).

Is there contact information for her? I would like to take a class.

@WyomingPBS

5 жыл бұрын

Her website is draperknives.info/Home_Page.html

@mikedraper5349

5 жыл бұрын

please feel free to email at adraper@wyoming.com for class information. Thanks!

@cscott1270

5 жыл бұрын

please feel free to email adraper@wyoming.com or text 307-856-6807 we have a facebook page also Draper Knives. I rarely update my website. Thank you for the interest.

@audradraper5689

5 жыл бұрын

Call or text 307-856-6807 or email adraper@wyoming.com and I can send you some information on the dates available for classes. We host a class every month. Hope to see you!

nice

Nice Looks Ed FOWLER inspired from Riverton WY

This is the woman you need in top level government positions.

Where is this lady’s contact info! I live in Riverton, would like to buy a knife or get one made!

@WyomingPBS

5 жыл бұрын

draperknives.info/

@mikedraper5349

5 жыл бұрын

adraper@wyoming.com or 10 creek Dr. Riverton.

@audradraper5689

5 жыл бұрын

Hi, Were on Burma Road 10 Creek Drive. call or text 856-6807 or email adraper@wyoming.com

She is cool

Way cooler than that person from Brooklyn making file knives for $800.

0:18 That open hair gives me scary toughts

That is one fine dagger"

shes the first accredited lady blacksmith from the aba? even in this modern age thats crazy there are many lady smiths out there making knives and forging things, it took this long for a woman to be certified? crazy I mean like seriously ken zurters wife swings a good hammer sometimes the guy from mn that makes the kz powerhammers, like seriously

@audradraper5689

4 жыл бұрын

No. I dont know anything about the aba? AND I am not a Blacksmith. I am a bladesmith, there is a really big difference, there are many talented women out there swinging a hammer. I simply jumped through the hoops to become a master bladesmith and in doing so became the first woman to do so.

So much talented and beautiful lady. She got a perfect macht whit her husband.

@wizard9403

5 жыл бұрын

Both Drapers are superb knife makers. Mike's folders are excellent!!

Seems like everyone is a master smith now.

@audradraper5689

4 жыл бұрын

Actually, I believe there are 117 Master Bladesmiths tested and recognized by the American bladesmith Society at this time. (Plus a half a dozen or so retired (no longer practicing Master smiths)