James Black Bowie Heritage Festival Logo

VENDORS & EXHIBITORS

✦ 2026 Festival

Vendor & Exhibitor Directory

Confirmed vendors and exhibitors for the 2026 festival. Additional registrations may be added as the event approaches — check back for updates.

Bladesmiths & Knife Makers

Vilar Knives

Master Bladesmith

Ricardo Vilar

Washington's own Mastersmith. Internationally renowned for fine materials, functional design, and blades forged with precision and artistry.

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Master Bladesmith · National Living Treasure

Jerry Fisk

ABS Mastersmith and National Heritage Fellow, recognized as a National Living Treasure. A lifetime of artistry in custom knifemaking celebrated worldwide.

Master Bladesmith

Lin Rhea

A renowned bladesmith whose work reflects decades of skill, dedication, and artistry in the craft of handmade knives.

CS Knives

Master Bladesmith

Cass Stanford

Handmade knives blending traditional craftsmanship with modern precision — functional art built for performance and made to last.

310 FORGE

Master Bladesmith

Michel Kahil

Precision, artistry, and deep respect for the tradition of bladesmithing. Known for visually striking, finely tuned blades.

Caston Custom Blades

ABS Apprentice Smith

Randy Caston

Forged in Fire winner (Season 6, Ep. 16) from Liberty, Mississippi. A range from everyday carry pieces to intricate Bowie knives.

J.M. Stevens Knives

ABS Journeyman Smith

Jaymes Stevens

Arkansas roots and deep respect for Bowie knife heritage. Functional and artistically refined knives sought by collectors and enthusiasts.

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Double R Forge

Bladesmith

Ramsey Richardson

Custom knives using locally sourced and self-stabilized Arkansas hardwoods — maple burl, spalted pecan, and beyond.

SKMO Knives

ABS Apprentice Smith

Lee Parsons

Shell Knob, Missouri. Traditional bladesmithing with a dedication to quality craftsmanship in every blade.

Knife Maker · Texarkana, AR

John Lindsey

Precision kitchen knives to finely crafted folding knives — functionality and artistry in every piece.

Bladesmith · AR State Cutting Champion

Jim Bob Lamb

Nashville, Arkansas. Arkansas State Cutting Champion with deep roots in the historic heart of American blade culture.

Master Bladesmith of Arkansas

Tim Foster

One of the finest bladesmiths in the nation, bringing artistry, tradition, and raw skill to the forge.

Ty Martin Hand Forged Knives

Bladesmith

Ty Martin

Each piece hand-forged with meticulous attention to detail, combining traditional technique with modern artistry.

Mille Blades

ABS Journeyman Bladesmith

Adam Mille

A regular at the WPA Gym since 2022, Adam displays handcrafted blades for sale. Dedicated to traditional forging techniques and innovative designs — historical inspiration meets modern artistry.

Knife Maker

Thomas Franklin

Custom handmade knives crafted with skill and attention to detail.

Knife Maker · Oklahoma

Tony Baker

A knife maker out of Oklahoma bringing quality craftsmanship and passion for the blade to the 2026 festival.

Knife Maker

Shane Franks

Details coming soon.

Yates Unicorn Ranch Ministries

Bladesmith · Forging Challenge Winner

Corey Yates

Winner of the Forging Challenge at the James Black Bowie Heritage Festival. Look for Corey at his tent where he will be live forging and sharing about God's work in his life. Check out his ministry on Facebook.

Supplies & Equipment

Reeder Products, Inc.

Owner & Designer

Greg Reeder

Creator of the acclaimed Reeder 2x72 belt grinder, trusted by custom knifemakers worldwide. Three generations of precision engineering behind every product.

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Bladesmithing Supplier

Franz Supply

Quality supplies and materials for bladesmiths of every level.

Artists, Craftsmen & Demonstrators

Randal's Engraving Inc.

Master Engraver

Steve Randal

Decades of experience in custom knife engraving, heirloom firearms, and metalwork. Precision, tradition, and timeless artistry in every piece.

Fine Artist & Engraver · Nashville, AR

Renata Vilar

Award-winning watercolors, lifelike animal portraits, vibrant painted glass, and intricate engraving on firearms and other media.

Champion Knife & Axe Thrower · The Texas Cowboy

J.W. Wiseman

High-energy knife and axe throwing demonstrations and competitive entertainment from the one and only Texas Cowboy.

Artisan Leather Goods · Hope, AR

Rowe's Leather Goods

A small business in Hope specializing in high-quality leather products. With a focus on traditional craftsmanship and detail, they offer a range of leather goods for everyday use.

Custom Leather Goods · Benton, AR

Wildt Leather

Brian Wildt will be at the festival on April 25 demonstrating the layout and production of a leather sheath. A family-owned business offering custom handmade goods, repairs, and boot resoling — crafting since the mid-90s.

Artist & Craftsman

Mike Mack

Details coming soon.

Artist & Craftsman

Starlett Mortensen

Details coming soon.

Cedar Baits

Craftsman & Vendor

Chris Malone

Details coming soon.

Watts Leather of Arkansas

Artisan Leather Goods

Randy Watts

Quality handcrafted leather goods made in Arkansas.

Fiddler · 2026 Arkansas Living Treasure

Tim Trawick

Recognized by the Arkansas Arts Council as a 2026 Arkansas Living Treasure for outstanding contributions to traditional folk music. From Greenbrier, Arkansas.

Food Vendors

Food Truck

BB's Fish, Burgers, & More

A food truck serving up fish, burgers, and more. Find them on Facebook for the latest updates.

Sno Cones & Lemonade

Sno Cone Express

Fresh sno cones and lemonade, served from a van that moves between the food truck area and the Blade School throughout the festival. Owned by Beth Launius.

Food Vendor · Returning

Becci's Cafe

A returning food vendor bringing their fan-favorite menu back to the 2026 festival.

Food Vendor · Returning

Tracy's Concessions

A returning concessions vendor, a familiar face at the James Black Bowie Heritage Festival.

BECOME A VENDOR TODAY!

To apply as a vendor for the James Black Bowie Heritage Festival, download the appropriate application form below. Each form includes festival rules and submission instructions. Complete the form and submit it as directed. Questions should be sent to the contact listed on the application.

Application Forms:

Crafts Form

For handcrafted goods, art, leatherwork, and non-knife artisan vendors.

Knifemaker Form

For knife makers, bladesmiths, and custom knife dealers.

Food Vendor Form

For food trucks, concession stands, and food/beverage vendors.