Forging the Frontier with Dustin Rhodes

Explore Early American Bladesmithing and Bushcrafting Skills. A 4-H Workshop with Master Bladesmith Dustin Rhodes!

When: Sunday, November 10, 2024
Where: Camp Wassatoga, 15230 N Blue Point Trail, Effingham, IL 62401

Time: 1 - 4 p.m.

Dustin Rhodes is a bladesmith, blacksmith, and business owner with over 30 years of experience in forging knives and various items. His work has been showcased on national and international television, including “Forged in Fire” (Season 4, Episode 2: “Deer Horn Knives”) and “Master of Arms” (Season 1, Episode 1: “Flintlock Axe Pistol”). Dustin has created instructional videos, authored published works, and has been featured in national publications.

His passion for the craft began in frontier reenactments, and he specializes in creating early American frontier weapons and primitive Native tools. He has taught knifemaking and blacksmithing at the college level and at the Turtle Island Preserve, as seen on “Mountain Men” (History Channel).

His shop is a family run business that he operates alongside Cheyenne Brown and his daughter, Elizabeth Rhodes. Cheyenne, featured on “Forged in Fire” (Season 9, Episode 5: “Blades Gone Wild”), is a nationally recognized bladesmith, artist, and educator. Her expertise extends to crafting unique blades, carved bone art, and bushcraft skills like hunting, fishing, and foraging. Cheyenne has also dedicated her time as a volunteer at the Turtle Island Preserve, as seen on “Mountain Men”.

Together, they run Axe on Main/Forge a Memory, a family owned business with a full forge and axe throwing experience located at 409 North Main Street, St. Elmo, Illinois, 62458.

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