Black Mamba Knives in the News
Stories written about our Memphis shop, the people who work the forge, and the knives that leave it. We keep every one of them on this page, so you do not have to go digging.
The Memphis Forge Behind Black Mamba Knives
Published by USA News on October 17, 2026, in its Business section. The piece follows the shop from a one man coal forge in 2009 to the team that runs it today.
USA News: The Memphis Forge Behind Black Mamba Knives
On October 17, 2026, USA News published a feature on our shop. It covers ground we normally explain one customer at a time, which is a lot of phone calls saved.
How the shop started
The story opens in 2009 in a small Memphis shop with a coal forge and a secondhand anvil. Mark Kovalsky, our founder and bladesmith, bought no pre patterned steel and sent nothing out. He forged each blade by hand and checked every one himself before it shipped. That habit is still how the shop works, even though it has grown well past one man and one anvil.
Who works the forge today
The article names Cole Ransom, our owner and artisan, and Virgil Shovelhead, the bladesmith who has been at the forge since the first year. Every knife moves through several pairs of hands under one roof in Memphis: forging, grinding, heat treat, handle fitting, sharpening, inspection and engraving. You can meet the rest of the people on our team page.
What in house Damascus means
Damascus is a loose word in the knife trade. Some of it is patterned bar stock bought in bulk, and some of it is an etched picture on plain steel. The feature explains that we forge weld most of our Damascus ourselves from 1095 and 15N20, so the pattern runs through the full thickness of the blade instead of sitting on the surface. It also covers our heat treat range of 58 to 60 HRC, chosen so an edge lasts without turning brittle. If you want the long version, our Damascus steel history guide goes back further than anyone strictly asked it to.
Reviews and field tests
USA News pulled in outside opinions too. It points to the Backwoods Biker Magazine field test of our Damascus Ka-Bar style knife and the Persian Yuma, which went through chopping, splitting, feather sticks and heavy batoning, plus a YouTube test and comments from long time collectors. All of the reviews it quotes can be read on our customer reviews page.
Custom and gift orders
The piece closes on the work that does not come off a shelf: knives built to your own spec, engraving done by the same people who forge the steel, matching groomsmen knife sets for weddings, and logo knives for companies. If you are planning around a date, give custom and engraved pieces extra time. A wedding will not wait for a handle to cure.
What the story covers, and where to go next
| Topic in the article | What it says | Where to read more |
|---|---|---|
| Shop history | Started in 2009 with a coal forge and a used anvil in Memphis | About us |
| The team | Owner and artisan Cole Ransom with bladesmith Virgil Shovelhead | Our team |
| Damascus | Forge welded in house from 1095 and 15N20 | Damascus collection |
| Where it is made | Hand forged, finished and engraved in the same Memphis shop | Country of origin |
| Custom work | Built to spec, engraving, wedding sets and company logo knives | Custom order knives |
| Warranty and shipping | Lifetime craftsmanship warranty and free expedited US shipping | Warranty and Shipping |
| Recognition | Industry awards listed by the shop | Awards |
Press Q&A
Where has Black Mamba Knives been featured?
Most recently in USA News, which published "The Memphis Forge Behind Black Mamba Knives" on October 17, 2026. New coverage gets added to this page as it runs.
Is the USA News article an independent review?
No, and we would rather say so than let you find the small print yourself. USA News ran it as contributor content in its newsroom, so it tells the shop's story in our words. The outside reviews it quotes, from Backwoods Biker Magazine, YouTube testers and verified buyers, are independent, and you can read them on our reviews page.
Where are the knives made?
In our own shop in Memphis, Tennessee. Forging, grinding, heat treat, handles, sharpening and engraving all happen under one roof. Our country of origin page has the details.
Can I order one of the knives mentioned in the article?
Yes. The Persian Yuma and the Damascus Ka-Bar style knife are both in the shop, and if you want something built your way, start with our custom order page.
How do I reach the shop for an interview or a story?
Email sales@blackmambaknives.com or call 901 669 8608. We can help with background on the shop, photos of the work, and time with the people at the forge.
Writing about knives?
If you cover knives, hunting, collecting, American manufacturing or small business, we are glad to talk. Tell us what you are working on and your deadline, and we will get you what you need.
