Australian knifemaker Andrew Blomfield (b. 1955) achieved the elusive title of ABS Master Smith in 2025. Earning his Journeyman Smith rating in 2022, his path to becoming a mastersmith started in 2015 after his retirement from his family business of sheep and cattle farming. His journey from blade enthusiast to award winning maker is a culmination of his lifelong dedication to learning and his obsessive attention to the finest details in bladesmithing.
Andrew’s preference is to work with damascus of his own creation using hammers and a forge press creating flow and elegance in his designs. His favorite knives to create are daggers, bowies, and sub-hilt knives using rare and desirable exotic handle materials. Some of his favorite materials he works in are rare, locally harvested woods such as purple gidgee and ancient materials such as mammoth ivory. His engraving, inlay, and embellishment elevate Andrew’s work to undeniable pieces of art. His stunning leatherwork perfectly complements the level of artistry reflected in his knives.
Blomfield’s journey began on a family farm in New South Wales, Australia growing up with two brothers. Andrew could often be found in the family workshop tearing things down, tinkering, and figuring out how to make them work again. Andrew’s gift of mechanical aptitude could be seen early in his life. At age 9, Andrew and his brothers surprised his dad by successfully getting a broken two-stroke lawnmower running again. After this impressive success, the brothers were gifted a late 1955 Ford Console with a blown head gasket. Once running, it was painted red, the top was chopped to make into a convertible, and it was bravely driven for the next ten years - becoming known as the Red Rat. After completing school, this early exposure to working with his hands led to a desire to fabricate as he began a formal technical education. Dedicating two nights a week while working long hours on the family farm, Andrew completed the nationally recognized TAFE (Technical and Further Education) courses in welding 1 and 2, MIG, TIG, boiler making, automotive electrical, and electrical engineering. On the side, during this time, Andrew taught himself leatherwork. He soon became proficient enough to charge for his work, eventually allowing him to buy his first real car, a Morris Mini Minor.
Despite having a practical appreciation for knives, Andrew's motivation to create blades began after his retirement from the family farm in 2015. Blomfield took his first forging class with Australian Bladesmith Wayne Saunders right after retirement. During this class, he quickly realized he already possessed many of the unique skills needed for knifemaking. This quickly led to Andrew taking advanced knifemaking courses with renowned experts such as Mastersmiths Shawn McIntyre, Rodrigo Sfreddo, David Lisch, Kyle Royer, James Rodebaugh, and John Horrigan. This lit a desire to have more sole authorship over his knives from hand forging the blade to sewing his own sheaths by hand. It wasn’t long before he enrolled in engraving and gold inlay classes with master engravers such as Barry Lee Hands and Sam Alfano.
Andrew Blomfield is a meticulous planner. His knives start with an initial sketch. He feels strongly that the work must be done right, from the design, to the fit and finishes used. The embellishments must complement the design of the knife without being ostentatious. This immediately becomes obvious when observing his knives. He is among the best knifemakers coming out of Australia and clearly worthy of the ABS Mastersmith title.
