Josh Wentz (IG: @dks_knives)
Welcome to this week's #weldershowcase - we had the opportunity to sit down with Josh from @dks_knives and talk a little shop.
If you would like to be featured in our weekly showcase (100% FREE) please send us an email to leo.benchmarkabrasives@gmail.com to get you scheduled in an upcoming week. These showcases are intended to highlight your skill, your business, and your tips and tricks. Most of all it's to have a little fun!
Enjoy and Grind On!
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Name: Josh Wentz Business Name: DKS Knives / Dreadnought Knife Shop Location: Lancaster, OH Socials: IG: @dks_knives FB: dksknives TikTok: @dks_knives Specialties: Kitchen Knives/EDC Knives |
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Tell us about yourself - what inspired you to get into your trade? And how long? Well my name is Josh Wentz, I'm 32 years old I’m an Army veteran and a forged in fire champion. I’ve been making knives since 2018 and I’ve been doing this full time for the past 2 years. Seeing talented maker pop up on my Instagram like Storm Garret knives, Josh Scott, Colony knife co really inspired me to give it a shot
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What keeps you motivated throughout the day? Loud music and determination to see the final product all finished up. It’s so rewarding seeing the finished results of all your hard work |
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What is your favorite shop tool and why? My favorite tool/tools have to be my anvil and hammer. If I could forge all day everyday I would. It’s so much fun swinging a hammer and turning nothing into something beautiful |
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What's your favorite piece that you've worked on? My favorite project I’ve worked on has to be one of my more recent knives. I made a mosaic Damascus san mai cleaver |
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What BA product is your favorite and why?
My favorite BA product so far is the Grinding Hood. I was hesitant about it at first. But now it’s becoming essential when I’m doing any grinding. Grinding dust has a tendency of getting caught in my eyebrows and eyelashes and falling into my eyes hours later after I take my safety glasses off. I no longer have that issue now. Also the lenses don’t fog up while wearing a respirator which is a big help
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What BA product surprised you in terms of quality - what about it set it apart from the competition?
The 2x72 belts definitely surprised me with the quality. My first time using them I was skeptical but after prepping enough steel for a couple billets of Damascus they kept cutting like it was a brand new belt. |
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If there was one person you could collaborate with - who would it be and why?
If I could collaborate with anyone it’d probably be Andrew Wasnac/ Colony Knife Co. His work is so clean and a huge motivation for me to constantly try and improve the quality of my work
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Do you have any advice for the next generation that you wish you had when you first started?
My advice would be… Ask makers that inspire you questions and don’t be afraid to fail, we only learn from our mistakes |
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What are your future plans for your shop?
The future plans of my shop is to hopefully start building my new shop space this spring to have the ability to hold larger classes and to venture into hammers and axes
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A Note From Leo
Thanks for sharing your story with us, Josh! I've always wanted to try forging my own blade but I guess I need to stop making excuses and just do it!