Celebrating 75 years, the Village of Yesteryear is an exhibit that demonstrates traditional handicraft and heritage skills. Held every year at the N.C. State Fair, the village has featured more than 100 artists and crafters creating, displaying and selling time-honored handmade crafts. “A Maker’s Dozen” is a series that tells the stories of these artisans and educates about their heritage crafts.
“I love artfully rendered tools,” said E. Scott McGhee. McGhee is a bladesmith who works closely with the Village of Yesteryear. He has been making knives and other similar blades since 2007 when he got back into the craft.
Originally from Franklinton, McGhee has been demonstrating his craft at the Village of Yesteryear since 2014, though his journey into bladesmithing began nearly 50 years ago. It started in 1977 during a blacksmithing class at the Penland School of Craft in Bakersville, where McGhee was captivated by his instructor’s Damascus steel knife—a rarity at the time. After the class negotiated a deal to complete their projects early, the instructor fulfilled a promise to teach them the art of forging Damascus steel. Although McGhee did not return to the craft for another 30 years, that experience eventually led him back to the forge.
After those 30 years, McGhee got back into the craft when his son wanted to make a blade himself. “I told him that I would make one with him, but I wanted him to do his research first by reading,” said McGhee. “Sure enough, he did and we made something together. Since then, I haven’t been able to stop.”
His creative process for making blades begins with one thing in mind: Form following function. “Whatever the blade’s purpose determines the shape and structure,” said McGhee. “Whenever I looked for the knife I wanted, both in practicality and beauty, it was either not what I wanted or too expensive. So, I would just make it myself.”
“To start, I always make a 2D model out of wood,” he said. “It always looks different on paper versus in practice. Then, I forge the blade into shape by making a point on the metal. Then, I rough grind it, heat treat it, final grind it and then finish the blade. Once the blade is finished, I sharpen it and make it a handle and sheath.”
McGhee’s favorite part is seeing the final product. Not only that, but watching people comment, “Oh, so light,” when picking up his product. “A heavier tool doesn’t always mean a better one. In fact, a lighter tool is easier to use anyway. That cut is easier to control and it just feels right,” said McGhee.
“Never making the perfect knife,” said McGhee when asked about his biggest struggle. “There are too many things to learn and to get just perfect. It’s like an endless rabbit hole I’ll never reach the bottom of. My first few works are far inferior to my current ones. However, that’s just part of the process.”
McGhee enjoys his 11 days at the N.C. State Fair. “It’s been great!” he said. “I love the Village of Yesteryear. Everyone is so unique and talented. Everyone is doing what they are good at. There’s something beautiful about people doing their craft that people either underestimate or don’t understand. We make it look easy, but it really isn’t.”