United In Steel: Putting Jody and Jennifer Lyddane of JL Forge in the Hot Seat
Welcome to 'The Hot Seat'! In this exciting new series, we revisit the talented bladesmiths we've previously showcased, delving into their current endeavors and highlighting their most exceptional recent works. It's a journey back to the anvil, where we catch up with these master craftsmen and craftswomen, exploring how their skills have evolved and what magnificent creations they've brought to life since our last encounter.
Jody and Jennifer Lyddane own and operate JL Forge in Versailles, Kentucky. This duo has each competed on History Channel’s Forged in Fire, with Jennifer, aka Lipstick Blacksmith, taking home the championship title during season 8. Their journey began in 2015 when Jody, a member of the Kentucky National Guard and former farrier, decided to take a shot at forging a knife. After seeing Jody's first blade and attending a couple of shows together, Jennifer, a barber by trade, decided to try her hand at the craft, and she, too, became hooked.
RELATED: EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH JODY AND JENNIFER LYDDANE
We first caught up with Jody and Jennifer last January with an awesome conversation discussing the duo’s bladesmithing journey and experience on the show. While work schedules and their two children keep them busy, Jody and Jennifer still make time to fire up the forge and create beautiful, one-of-a-kind blades and to participate in the occasional Forged in Fire Grudge Match hosted by fellow Forged in Fire alum Robby Bowman. Here are ten of the hottest blades that have come out of JL Forge!
Damascus Drop Point Hunter
(Image credit: JL Forge)
Forged by: Jennifer
Blade: Ninety-six-layer random pattern Damascus drop point hunter with a hammered copper s-guard.
Overall Length: 9.75"
Handle Material: Stabilized California walnut burl with a preened copper pin.
Damascus Seax
(Image credit: JL Forge)
Forged by: Jody
Blade: 240-layer random pattern Damascus Seax.
Overall Length: 8”
Blade Length: 4"
Handle: Contoured Honduran Rosewood scales.
Damascus Vest Bowie
(Image credit: JL Forge)
Forged by: Jennifer
Blade: A 56-layer random pattern Damascus Vest Bowie with a hand-filed brass guard.
Overall Length: 9.75”
Handle: Stabilized walnut.
San Mai Bowie
(Image credit: JL Forge)
Forged by: Jennifer
Blade: San Mai Bowie constructed of wrought iron over 5160 with a hand-filed brass guard.
Overall Length: 13.25”
Handle: Framed jarrah wood with G10 spacer.
Japanese Clever
(Image credit: JL Forge)
Forged by: Jody
Blade: 60-layer Japanese Cleaver.
Overall Length: 13”
Handle: Rosewood handle and African ebony bolsters with a copper spacer and copper pins.
Farrier’s Rasp Bowie
(Image credit: JL Forge)
Forged by: Jody
Blade: Bowie forged from a farrier’s rasp with a rasp guard and threaded rasp pommel through tang.
Overall Length: 13”
Handle: Stag
Damascus Santoku
(Image credit: JL Forge)
Forged by: Jody
Blade: 240-layer Damascus Santoku constructed with 15n20 and 80crv2.
Overall Length: 12.5”
Handle: Hybrid curly maple with blue resin scales.
120-Layer EDC
(Image credit: JL Forge)
Forged by: Jody
Blade: 120-layer EDC.
Overall Length: 8”
Handle: Dyed maple burl scales with brass pins.
Farrier’s Rasp Camp Chopper
(Image credit: JL Forge)
Forged by: Jody
Blade: Camp chopper forged from a farrier’s rasp.
Overall Length: 14”
Handle: Stabilized pinecone and Honduran rosewood scales and red G10 spaces with brass pins and walnut bolster.
Scout Knife
(Image credit: JL Forge)
Forged by: Jennifer
Blade: Scout knife forged from 80CRV2.
Handle: Honduran rosewood scales and corby bolt pins
Be sure to check out our exclusive conversation with Jody and Jennifer to learn all about their experiences as bladesmiths. Interested in attending a Forged in Fire Grudge Match? Check out our conversation with bladesmith Robby Bowman for more information.
As a veteran-owned company, we at BRUTE de FORGE would like to take this opportunity to thank Jody and all of our veterans for their service to this country and for everything they sacrifice to keep us free! We also acknowledge Jennifer and all the sacrifices she, like all military families, has had to make to support Jody’s service. When one family member serves, the entire family serves.
To see more beautiful products from JL Forge, visit their website at jlforge.com and follow them on Instagram @jlforge and @lipstickblacksmith. Can’t wait to see who’s next for “the Hot Seat”? Be sure to follow BDF on Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and now you can find us on Vero @brutedeforge.
If you buy something through this post, BDF may get a share of the sale. Click here for more info.
TRENDING
About The Author
More from Amanda
