Phill Hartsfield Sr. passed away in May 2010. He had been making blades since he was 11 years old. He made many styles of blades, however he was best known for Japanese style knives and swords. Years of studying traditional blades led him to his own expressions of this art form. "The steel of the old blades was absolutely magical for that time but I feel to ignore the advances of modern technology would be a compromise in producing the best possible blade." Phill's blades are tool steel, A2, they are edge hardened by hand during heat treat and this brings out the hamon.

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Phill Sr. along with his son Phill Jr. have worked together making blades for the past 25 years. Phill Jr. continues the legacy that his father started.