The Memphis Forge Behind Black Mamba Knives
A one-man forge that opened in 2009 is now a team of makers, and it says the work is still done slowly, by hand.
In 2009, in a small shop in Memphis, bladesmith Mark Kovalsky lit a coal forge and went to work at a secondhand anvil. By the company’s account, he bought no pre-patterned steel and sent nothing out. He forged each blade by hand and checked every one himself.
That habit became the foundation of Black Mamba Knives. Today the company says it hasn’t changed the basic approach, even as the operation has grown well beyond one man and one anvil.
A Shop That Chose to Stay Slow
The business is now led by owner and artisan Cole Ransom, working alongside bladesmith Virgil Shovelhead, who the company says has been at the forge since its first year. Together they have built a catalogue of more than 490 models: Damascus hunting knives, Bowies, pocket and folding knives, balisongs, chef knives, cleavers, axes, and collector pieces.
Variety usually pushes a workshop toward outsourcing, but the company says it works the other way. Each knife moves through several pairs of hands under one roof in Memphis, from forging and grinding to heat treat, handle fitting, sharpening, inspection, and engraving.
Kovalsky puts it simply. “When a knife has taken a week, it is because a week of somebody’s hands went into it,” he said.
What “In-House Damascus” Means
Damascus is a loose term in the knife market. Some blades are made from patterned bar stock bought in bulk, and others have a design etched into the surface for looks.
Black Mamba says it takes a different route. The shop forge welds most of its Damascus itself, layering 1095 and 15N20 steel so the pattern is formed inside the metal rather than applied afterward. The company says this is why the pattern runs through the full thickness of the blade.
After forging, the steel is heat treated to 58 to 60 HRC. That range is meant to give the blade an edge that lasts without becoming brittle, according to the company. The knives are hand forged in Memphis, TN, and finished and engraved in the same shop.
Kovalsky describes the goal in practical terms. “We would rather have a knife come back for sharpening than come back broken,” he said.
What the Reviews Say
The most detailed outside account comes from Backwoods Biker Magazine, which tested two Black Mamba knives, the Damascus Ka-Bar and the Persian Yuma, through chopping, splitting, feather sticks, notching, and heavy batoning. Afterward, the magazine ran a paper-cutting test and found no burrs or inclusions along the edge. Senior writer Tony Suites wrote, “The Beauty of these 2 Beasts are only out-shined by their performance under tests!”
Owners offer a different perspective. Ken Martin, a verified buyer, says he has collected knives for 42 years and owns 954 of them. “I am a big fan of Damascus blades and I can say these are second to none,” he wrote.
On YouTube, Ricky Daudelin of ShoeMonster Tech put the Persian Yuma through hardwood feathering, a ferro rod, and thick rope. In his words, the blade “held its edge well and cut like a dream.”
The company's website shows a 4.85 rating from more than 2,100 reviews collected through Shopper Approved. It also holds an A rating on its Better Business Bureau profile, though it is not BBB-accredited. The reviews quoted above appear on the company's website and reflect individual experiences.
Beyond the Catalogue
Not every customer wants an off-the-shelf knife. Buyers can order a blade built to their own specification, add engraving, request matching sets for a wedding party, or commission logo knives for a business. The company says these custom and gift orders are especially common for weddings, retirements, and corporate gifts, and that the engraving is done by the same people who forge the steel.
Every knife comes with a free lifetime craftsmanship warranty, according to the company, and orders shipped within the United States go out free with expedited service. Custom and engraved pieces take longer to produce, so buyers planning around a date should allow extra time.
Recognition
Black Mamba Knives lists industry awards on its website. This article has not independently verified them, and readers can find the company’s own account on its awards page.
A Memphis Story in Brief
The shape of the story is easy to follow. A bladesmith started with a coal forge and a used anvil in 2009. He kept his hands on every blade. A team gradually formed around that routine, and its work now reaches hunters, cooks, collectors, and gift buyers across the country.
In an industry where mass production and imported steel are common, Black Mamba presents itself as a case for doing the work the slow way. The company says the pattern runs through the steel, and that the craft runs through the shop.
Black Mamba Knives is at 3733 Lamar Ave, Memphis, TN 38118. The shop can be reached at 901 669 8608 or sales@blackmambaknives.com.
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