Cowboy and Ilena Szymanski have been integral to our success as a student organization and have been incredibly generous in providing a place to work and excellent instruction for our members. Phenix knives is based out of Bellville, Texas, and hosts wonderful knifemaking and blacksmithing workshops as well as the annual Texas Select Knife show that showcases hundreds of the world’s best knife makers in one weekend.

More about Cowboy:

“My name is Cowboy Szymanski and I am a bladesmith. I left my first career of extreme sports and sporting goods to pursue the art of blacksmithing and bladesmithing. I established my Phenix Knives business in 1997, and spent several years forging out knives and blacksmithing for various living history sites. I chose the name Phenix from the legend of the firebird that rises from the ashes with a new and beautiful life. Similarly, the steel that I forge in the fires is given a new form, a work of art that is both beautiful and functional. My style reflects the extra time and detailing I put into each of my hunting knives, chef’s knives, and antler-handled folders making them unique. And I love the opportunity to build custom swords, pouring my skills and talent into the creation of a piece that commands attention for its balance and beauty.

In 2003, I was invited to the town of Bellville and given the opportunity to reopen the historic 1891 Blacksmith Shop on Main Street. As my name and reputation became established, the demand for my custom knives grew, and I phased out most of the ornamental ironwork to focus my time and energy more fully on the knives. As the demand for my knives has grown, I’ve been able to train up and hire apprentices to work alongside me and add various knifemaking experiences for the public in the Shop.

Then, in 2015, the producers for a new TV show started pursuing me to compete in the first season of the History Channel’s Forged in Fire competition. Though I wasn’t the winner of my episode, it was a worthwhile experience which led to the opportunity to forge new friendships with fellow bladesmith competitors. A few years later I was inspired to host a gathering of the Forged in Fire competitors in the backyard of the Blacksmith Shop, giving the fans of the show an opportunity to meet the bladesmiths they had seen on TV. We called it Texas Select from Forged in Fire, and that first year we had 18 smiths from 5 states and droves of fans came to meet them and watch them work. Each year the event continued to grow until we could no longer contain it at the Shop property in town. In 2022, we moved to the Austin County Fairgrounds, changed the name to Texas Select Custom Cutlery Event and expanded the show to include more knifemakers. We now feature over 150 bladesmiths and knifemakers at this annual event, along with bladesmithing demonstrations, chopping competitions, and opportunities for the fans and collectors to interact with the makers. The growth of this grassroots event speaks to the public appreciation of the handcrafted art of knifemaking, and has become the largest custom knife show in Texas.

Cangshan Cutlery is a high-quality knife company that has won 33 (and counting) design awards and is based and operated in Georgetown, Texas. Cangshan’s mission “is to create functional, beautiful kitchen knives with premier materials crafted by expert blacksmiths, offering both Western and Japanese styles and performance of products."

Steephollow Forgeworks is a welding, fabrication, and blacksmithing shop based out of Bryan, Texas and is owned and operated by twin brothers Jeff and Alan Lee. The Lee brothers have been very generous in providing space for ABC events and workshops, are incredibly knowledgeable blacksmiths, and are excellent instructors.

Two Basterds is a hammer supply company run by Frank and Nina Machado who produce high-quality hand-forged hammers that are used worldwide. They are the only hammers to be endorsed by the popular TV show Forged in Fire. Frank and Nina have been wonderful supporters of our organization, especially at events.

Balcones Forge is a non-profit organization and an affiliate of the Artist-Blacksmith's Association of North America (ABANA). Their organization provides opportunities for its members to grow and learn through interactions with other professional and hobbyist blacksmiths. They do so through monthly meetings, special events, and providing access to an extensive library of books and videos. The organization also strives to educate the public about blacksmithing through demonstrations at many Central Texas events. Balcones Forge has given very generously to Aggie Blacksmithing Club with regard to equipment, information, and guidance in running a blacksmithing organization. ABC works very closely with Balcones forge, and membership to Balcones Forge is included with ABC membership. Aggie Blacksmithing would like to specifically thank Rudy Billings for all of his help and guidance.