Hello there! My name is Uldis Šulcs. ZND or Zemgale’s Knives Workshop (Zemgales Nažu Darbnīca) is real place in the Zemgale’s district is small city- Bauska , here I was born and living now. But here I would like to introduce You with me and mine hobby works. I don’t want to say that i am blacksmith, but I am into the art side of steelworks and most of my skills I have are an ongoing development of the craft.
All the photos
of the blades on this site are handcrafted and reflect my deep passion with the blades.
I got in love with the steel already when as a young boy spent a lot of time with both of my uncles, one of which was a welder and the other was a lathe operator – turner. This inspiration of steelworking has driven me since and once I finished my secondary school I left my hometown to study at Liepaja Design and Art School in Amber and Steel Works Faculty. Since then I have been working with the steel – with rough one as a blacksmith and with more sophisticated as a jeweler I am still learning and still crafting my skill. It’s a beautiful ongoing learning for me and my deep field of exploration.
My latest passion is forgery of blades and knives from Damascus steel. To craft a damascus steel blade combines both – the rough hammering and jewellers precision, and I really love it. You can view my works on this website. Every single knife is very special and there is only one such knife in the world. Every single knife is a custom made for a person.
All mine blades are signed with Ūsiņš. From folklore, Ūsiņš is responsible for horses and light and is their God, believes say that Ūsiņš is one of the Sky’s gods.The sign gives special forces and work towards it encourages observe, understand and do in order to obtain the blessing.
If you would like to have one specially made for you, please let me know. For customer order, please send me to e-mail photo of knife what you like, leaving it I shall prepare a drawing with dimensions. Together we will talk about details of the blade, handle and guard materials. Once we have agreed on everything, I will inform you about price. The advance does not usually take only if it is a special order. When the work is done you pay me about it and get your blade – knife, an axe or machete.
When you buy something from artist you’re buying more than an object. You’re buying hundreds of hours of errors and experimentation and moments of pure joy. You’re not buying just one thing, you are buying a piece of a heart, a piece of a soul…a small piece of someone else’s life.