Justin Harrington Bio

Written by Dexter Ewing

Custom knifemaker and North Carolina Custom Knifemakers Guild member Justin Harrington has a past that only a few people dream about, let alone live out. A native of Greenville, NC, he moved to Winston-Salem, NC when he was in the first grade ultimately making his home in Clemmons - a suburb of Winston-Salem - in 1984. The young Harrington immensely enjoyed participating in various sports and playing in the woods. “It was basically all I did and all I cared about the majority of my early life,” he says. At the age of 12, Harrington took a point-blank shot from a BB gun, damaging his left eye to the point where the doctor recommended removing his eye “The recovery and reacclimation to competitive sports and everyday life forced me in to the realization that I was going to have to work twice as hard to achieve a similar goal as my peers,” Harrington states. This served as inspiration for the name of his business, Cyclops Forge. Certainly no stranger to hard, dirty, manual labor, Harrington’s past jobs include an 11 year stint in the landscaping business. His father started a small landscaping operation, caring for residential and some commercial properties. Harrington took over from his father in 2010 and worked at it for another 8 years, until 2018 came and he decided to hang it up and pursue something else. “Landscaping taught me self motivation, determination, and the nuances of running a small business,” Harrington says. In a way, the landscape operation prepped him perfectly for his current chosen career as a custom knifemaker.

It wasn’t until his college days, while pursuing his degree in Psychology at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC, that Harrington was selected to participate in a trip organized by the primatology professor to accompany him into the jungles of Ecuador. Their task was to track two specific species of capuchin monkey for a period of two months. This trip “had a huge and lasting impact on me,” he recalls. Harrington was able to undertake various tasks in the jungle such as, but not limited to, making trails, constructing bamboo furniture, preparation of food, and minor surgery. The experience really stoked his interest in knives. “This trip was instrumental in understanding the needs and limits of knives in a realistic environment,” he stated.

During Harrington’s last semester at ASU, the Navy offered him a position as a contractor refurbishing satellite ground stations throughout Spain, Italy, Hawaii, and Guam. “This experience widened my world view, taught me to work and enabled me to visit famous cathedrals, art museums and SCUBA dive in some places most people only dream of,” he fondly recalls. During his museum visits in Europe, Harrington developed an eye for art. “Francisco Goya, Michelangelo, Frank Frazetta, Gustav Klimt have all been influential artists in the development of my aesthetic sensibility.” These artists along with nature influence Harrington’s design work for his own custom knives. For a period of time, Harrington took up woodworking as a hobby and while taking a class at the John C. Campbell Folk School located in Brasstown, NC on forging and heat treating woodworking tools, he credits that class for kindling his interest in custom knifemaking. Additionally, he went on to pursue knifemaking with more intent focus. “I completed the introduction to bladesmithing course through the American Bladesmithing Society taught by Mastersmiths Greg Neely and Scott McGhee in March of 2017,” Harrington begins. “This class was instrumental in my evolution as a bladesmith taking me from an interested hobbyist to what I like to think of as a decent maker.” Eager to learn more about the craft, Harrrington sought out ABS Mastersmith Steve Schwarzer and studied mosaic damascus construction under his guidance. “He has provided a supportive pillar of inspiration along with expert advice on technical issues for me for a couple years,” credits Harrington. In 2019, Harrington set out to learn again but this time with an introduction to engraving class offered by GRS, with Steve Dunn as the instructor. Recently Justin has been studying swordsmithing with a group based in New Hampshire. The group was a brainchild of ABS Mastersmith Zach Jonas and studies smithing from a more historical perspective. With his extensive studies of the medieval sword, Peter Johnsson was a great fit as the head swordsmith and instructor of the group. Justin also credits being a finalist on History Channel’s Forged In Fire reality TV show, in which he appeared in Season 7, Episode 28 dubbed the “Samurai Showdown”. Though he ultimately lost, he still had a great time on the show and just the experience in and of itself was very interesting. Aside from Steve Schwarzer, Harrington also cites Swedish master swordsmith and researcher Peter Johnsson and ABS Mastersmith Jason Knight as influences.

From his shop in Clemmons, NC, Harrington designs and crafts his own custom knives and swords. Take a look at any of his designs and you will note there is an organic flow to the entire knife, with gentle curves gracing the blades and handles. You’ll note quickly that his handles are very ergonomic and utmost comfortable, they feel like they melt right into your grip. “I specialize in and prefer to use exotic natural materials but use everything under the sun,” he says. “My work is sole authorship including pattern welded steel and leatherwork.” There is an organic flow to his knives, with the curves placed correctly in the handle and blade to highlight both form and function of each. Knives are tools and knives are also art. If you want functional art, check out Justin Harrington’s knives. You will be glad you did. Justin Harrington takes inspiration from nature and some of the finest European visual artists and infuses his own vision into custom knives that are as beautiful as they are functional. His love for custom knifemaking is evident in the varied pieces he creates.