Four Things You Need to Know About the Brodbeck Grinder
A smith is only as good as his tools, and one of the best tools on the market today is the Brodbeck grinder. If you are at all familiar with the current landscape of bladesmithing, you’ve no doubt seen or know of Brodbeck Ironworks products.
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This amazing product has taken the industry by storm and is trusted by smiths around the globe. Let’s take a look at what makes this grinder so special.
It was born in the flames of Forged in Fire
(Image credit: Brodbeck Ironworks)
Way back in 2019, the third episode of Forged in Fire Season 7 brought together a group of smiths to create a “mash-up” blade. Among the smiths featured in this episode were Ryan Brodbeck and Vince Molina. Neither smith walked away that day with the title of “Forged in Fire Champion”, but they did lay the groundwork for an industry-changing partnership. Recognizing a market need for an adaptable, effective, and affordable grinding system, the pair of bladesmiths set out to provide a solution to their bladesmithing brethren. Thus the Brodbeck grinder was born. Building off of Ryan’s initial design, the duo grew the Brodbeck brand into what it is today.
By the way, are you curious to know about the other two smiths who participated in Ryan and Vince’s episode? Well, that would be Casey Cleveland and Shawn Moulenbelt, and you can learn more about them on our interviews page.
It is made by bladesmiths, for bladesmiths
Aside from being bladesmiths themselves, Ryan and Vince have over thirty-five years of combined experience as Mechanical Engineers. Their unique background makes them expertly tuned to know precisely what knifemakers need, and how to provide it. And the bladesmithing influence doesn’t stop there. Not long after the introduction of the grinder, Ryan and Vince were joined by Ben Secrist, another bladesmith and Forged in Fire alum, as their Sales and Customer Service Manager. So, when you call Brodbeck Ironworks, you talk to a bladesmith!
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(Image credit: Brodbeck Ironworks)
The grinder itself has been specifically designed with bladesmithing in mind. The Forged in Fire origins have resulted in a product influenced by some of the biggest names in the industry, like Forged in Fire judge and Master Smith J. Nielson. In fact, the platform boasts a unique accessory designed by fellow Forged in Fire alum Mareko Maumasi. The Mareko Platen allows the user to work both sides of the platen without interference from the tool arm.
It is a complete knifemaker shop in a single platform
Perhaps the most unique thing about the Brodbeck grinder is that it is a complete knifemaker shop in a single station. The Brodbeck team has developed a series of affordable attachments that offer nearly any function you may need while saving you valuable real estate in your shop. There are standard attachments that allow you to use the grinder as a surface grinder, disc sander, buffing wheel, and wire wheel among others. It also has specialty attachments, like the integral bolster and fullering attachment. With the Brodbeck grinder, you can make just about any knife you want in a two-foot by two-foot by three-foot footprint.
For those smiths who want the ultimate control of their tools, Brodbeck Ironworks offers a “Build your own” grinder. This chassis kit includes all the parts and hardware you need to assemble it complete with the Mareko Platen and over-sized adjustable work rest. The “Build your own” grinder comes painted or unpainted and assembles with no welding required. Looking for something a little more plug-and-play? Brodbeck Ironworks offers several different package options so you can get exactly what you need.
The only thing it doesn’t do is drill holes. But outside of that, you can make an entire knife—from a flat piece of steel to completely done—without ever walking away from the grinder. Combined with an extremely competitive price point, the Brodbeck grinder is the most unique solution on the market.
It is trusted by professionals everywhere
(Image credit: Brodbeck Ironworks)
Just take a quick look around the social media landscape and you’ll find countless bladesmiths relying on the Brodbeck grinder to create their custom blades. But don’t think for a second that it is just for bladesmiths. In fact, the Brodbeck grinder is trusted by basically anyone who needs an excellent grinding platform. Jewelers, silversmiths, wood workers, metal sculptors and more all use it in their daily activities. As featured on The Outdoor Channel, the team over at The Gunfather: Restorations uses the Brodbeck grinder as they restore firearms back to their original glory.
Considering the origin story, it only seems fitting the Brodbeck grinder has been featured as the grinder of choice on two seasons of Forged in Fire. Over the course of those two seasons, hundreds of smiths have relied on the Brodbeck grinder to see them through two rounds of intense bladesmithing competition, all without a single failure.
You can pick up your own Brodbeck grinder and all the products offered by Brodbeck Ironworks at their website brodbeckironworks.com. While you are at it, give them a follow on Instagram @brodbeck_ironworks and Facebook at Brodbeck Ironworks. To stay updated on all things bladesmithing, including the upcoming release of season 10 of Forged in Fire, be sure to follow BRUTE de FORGE on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
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