With a lifetime devoted to the research and study of the history, science and methods of forged blades, Kevin Cashen is one of the most respected experts in his field on many aspects of his craft. Because of this, his services as an instructor are much in demand. Kevin has been an American Bladesmith Society approved instructor for over 20 years, and has taught classes ranging from intro to bladesmithing for beginners, to blade metallurgy for master instructors, at locations that include local events, international symposiums, and colleges and universities. He has been integral in helping to organize and lead programs for the Ashokan Knife Seminars for many years.

Tim made his first knife in 1979 while still in high school. In 1982, he made his first Damascus steel, and in 1983 knife making became his full-time profession. He has been the director of the Ashokan Knifemaking Seminar for most of the last two decades and a regular contributor for both Blade Magazine and Knives Illustrated. In the modern era, Tim was the first craftsman to make razors full-time in the US, and the first razor maker to use Damascus steel of his own manufacture, including his 'Tim-ahagane' smelted from iron ore he collects himself.

Phillip runs Shining Wave Metals in Snohomish, Washington. He earned his Master of Fine Arts degree from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale under Brent Kington, after completing his BS degree in Art at SUNY New Paltz under Robert Ebendorf and studying blacksmithing in the green coal tutorial under Frank Turley in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

A life member of the Society of North American Goldsmiths, former board member of ABANA, and past President of the Northwest Blacksmiths Association, Phillip received the National Endowment for the Arts Individual Craftsman Grant twice. His studio work in mokume-gane, bi-metallic stock, Damascus knives, hollowware, and custom fabrication is in the permanent collections of the Smithsonian Institution Renwick Gallery, the National Ornamental Metal Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Tacoma Art Museum, and the Museum of Arts and Design.

Beginning his affair with hot metal in 1988, Ric started his full-time shop Door County Forgeworks in 1995 in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. Focusing entirely on custom work for the last 26 years has allowed Ric to travel extensively to learn new skills and refine old ones. An curiosity with historic metallurgical operations led to smelting iron and melting steel in 1999, which grew into a deep research focus reproduced in the NOVA documentary 'Secrets of the Viking Sword'.

Lee is a retired pathologist whose interest in collecting antique arms began in the 1960s while still in high school. In the mid-1980s these interests focused on early European edged weapons, particularly swords of the Viking Age incorporating pattern-welding. Over the years his collection grew to extend from the Bronze Age until the late Medieval Period. Lee worked with Ewart Oakeshott and Ian Peirce toward the 2002 publication of Swords of the Viking Age and operates vikingsword.com.

Michael Edelson is the bestselling author of Cutting with the Medieval Sword: Theory and Application and founder of the New York Historical Fencing Association (2005). His work in cutting and body mechanics was instrumental in bringing structured cutting practice and competition into modern HEMA in North America and Europe.

Tristan Zukowski has been a member of NYHFA since 2009 and an instructor since 2011, and co-founded Squinting Rabbit Productions.

Tom began his study of Japanese swords and swordsmanship in 1969 in Tokyo, studying Kendo under Sensei Kotaro Oshima (8th Dan) and Iai and test-cutting under Nakayama Hakudo student Senseiyama. He currently holds a 6th degree black belt in Kendo and teaches two clubs, combining martial arts practice with the study of historical blade geometry and performance.

A professional machinist, welder, and maintenance supervisor for an industrial forging facility in NW Pennsylvania, Zeb got his start forging as a boy in his father's weld shop. Since 2010, his passion has been smelting iron ore, refining hearth steel, and making crucible steel in his backyard.

Bill Short is an independent scholar and manager of Hurstwic, which uses dual lenses of science and physical training to gain new insights into the martial practices of the Viking Age. He is the author of several books on Viking Age Iceland, weapons, and combat, including Men of Terror: A Comprehensive Analysis of Viking Combat.

Nick operates Nick Rossi Knives full-time out of his studio in Vassalboro, Maine, where he creates dynamic, one-of-a-kind cutlery influenced by Japanese, Southeast Asian, and Scandinavian design. A certified Master Bladesmith in the American Bladesmith Society and former Instructor and Assistant Program Director at the New England School of Metalwork (2011–2020), Nick teaches workshops and gives demonstrations across the country.

David Barnhill (MFA, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania) has studied non-ferrous metallurgy, mokume-gane, and metal casting since 1999. His work has been exhibited across the United States in museums, art galleries, and universities.