The Beginning

Highlands Forge was founded in 2018, on our 160 acre off grid property in the south end of the Caribou Hills, overlooking the Anchor River valley.  We called the location “The Highlands”, so Highlands Forge was a natural name for the new operation. 

Bill Fordham is the sole proprietor & Bladesmith for Highlands Forge.  Bill is a self taught smith and thanks numerous Mastersmiths and talented individuals who shared their skills and techniques online, accelerating his progress as a knife maker.  Bill is a US Army veteran and graduate of the Special Forces Qualification Course (18E) while enlisted.  After graduating college and Officer Candidate School, Bill attended Army Aviation flight training, qualifying in the AH-1F (Cobra) Attack Helicopter. He also has over ten thousand flight hours, mostly in Alaska, in everything from bush planes & helicopters to Learjets.   Bill has trained in a variety of Martial Arts, most recently in Escrima or Philippino knife, sword & stick fighting.  Bill is also an active hunter in Alaska and his knives are designed and field tested in the real world.  
(Photo:  Moose hunting in the Anchor River Valley.  Rifle is a 1964 Remington 700 in 375 H&H Magnum.)

The inspiration for the Highlands Forge logo.