Bladesmithing and Blackbelts: Exclusive Interview with Gene Click

(Image credit: Gene Click)

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Gene Click is an artist and bladesmith out of Sevierville, Tennessee, where he not only operates his shop, Click Edge Works, but also his gym, Click Fitness & Jiu-jitsu. Gene appeared on season 7 of Forged in Fire, where he refused to let his inexperience stop him from making memories.

RELATED: FIVE THINGS FORGED IN FIRE DOESN’T SHOW YOU

This week, we caught up with Gene for a Q&A interview. He gave us a glimpse into his favorite projects, his time or Forged in Fire, and discussed the importance of making new memories.

Gene’s Bladesmithing Origin Story

BRUTE de FORGE: How did you get into forging and bladesmithing?

(Image credit: Gene Click)

Gene Click: Definitely not in the usual way. I was about a year away from promoting my first Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt student, and I thought it would be really cool to make him a Katana. I had absolutely NO clue how to even begin, but I knew I had a year to make something. I started by visiting a local knife maker. I helped make a railroad spike knife, which helped me see what equipment I needed. I quickly became hooked on the craft! I have always been very creative, and this was a really fun outlet for me. I got the opportunity to compete on Forged in Fire after only four months of learning on my own. Eight months later, I was on the set of the show! Since then, all my Black Belts have received a Katana made by me, which I'm honored to be able to present them. I’ve been a bladesmith for over five years, and it's gone incredibly fast, but I love it! 

BDF: What is the name of your shop?

GC: Click Edge Works. I wanted to use Edge because I didn't want to limit myself to only being a knife maker. Honestly, I am working on changing the name because I am very much a metal artist, and it goes far beyond just making knives. Art is my passion! 

BDF: Would you say that you have a signature style?

GC: I feel like I do. Many knifemakers have told me I have my own style, so I trust their opinion. My style is rustic, rugged, and artistic. Zombie slayer stuff that looks like it would give you an infection if it cut you! I make what I would look at and want. I was never into knives, honestly. I love things that catch my eye. It can be anything, honestly. For me, when I am working the goal is to just create something that people have not seen before. Even if you're not into the craft, you can't help but look—like a train wreck! 

“For me, when I am working the goal is to just create something that people have not seen before.”

What Inspires Gene’s Designs?

BDF: Where do you draw inspiration from when you’re designing your blades?

GC: I get most of my inspiration from monsters in my mind. I will either see a character online or imagine something terrifying and then I make the weapon I feel they should carry. I would say that I do this with at least ninety-five percent of my work. I am always looking for new ways to create contours, patinas, and lines in my designs. 

BDF: Is there a certain type of blade you prefer to forge?

GC: Not really. If I had a favorite blade, it would be the Elemental Knife, designed by Jason Knight. That was the first knife I ever looked at, and I was just inspired to be a maker. I am a huge fan of big, savage-looking blades! 

BDF: Do you have a favorite project?

GC: I recently made a blade for Dave Bautista! I love the movie Army of the Dead. I made him a tribute blade for that film, and the final product really captured my style. 

(Image credit: Gene Click)

BDF: What is one life lesson that you have learned through bladesmithing?

GC: To be true to yourself. Make what you love and not what sells. Also, always wear some good work boots! 

BDF: Are you a full-time bladesmith?

GC: I definitely put in more than full-time hours each week, but I refuse to say this is my job. I never want to admit that this is a job for me. I never take orders for my work. I make what I like, and if someone wants to buy it, great, but that's not my motivation. Making is my escape for me, and I absolutely can't live without it. I always have to be creating art on some level, or I'm miserable! 

Forging Steel and Pumping Iron

BDF: Can you tell me about your gym? I saw on social media you run one.

GC: My gym is a true family to me. I have been open for twenty-two years, and many members have trained with me that whole time. I have many passions, and Jiu-Jitsu will always be a massive part of my life. I love to teach, connect, and see people grow. I am so incredibly blessed to spend my days doing what I truly love. 

BDF: Would you say that smithing and martial arts provide similar outlets for people looking for spaces to exercise their mental health?

GC: Great question! Yes absolutely!

I have been doing Martial Arts since I was five years old, and I have been practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for the last twenty-nine years. So, for me, it's just who I am. I don't see it as an outlet like many do because I have never not trained so it's normal for me.

Bladesmithing was like being a kid again! I love to be creative and be alone in my head. I never looked back after that first knife! I never will, as long as I can swing a hammer. 

Forged in Fire Come Calling

BDF: How did you end up on Forged in Fire?

GC: I was contacted via social media, and, of course, I had no business being on there with no real experience. But every year since quitting alcohol, I try to do something completely out of my comfort zone. I seek out things that are definitely not my strengths and go after them. I have run multiple half marathons, did a Spartan trifecta in two days, and competed in the Atlanta Brazilian Jujitsu Pro Open. So, even though I only had a few months of experience in bladesmithing, I happily took on the Forge in Fire challenge.

“I hope that I can show people it’s never too late to find new passions, stop bad habits, and start making memories!”

(Image credit: Gene Click)

I refuse to have any more regrets. It’s impossible to erase regrets, but you can fill those voids with new memories. That’s what I do and encourage others to do. My ultimate goal is to encourage men and women to live more fulfilled lives because it ultimately makes them better husbands, wives, moms, dads, etc. It’s so easy to fall into complacency and depression as you get older and become a shell of yourself. But it doesn’t have to be that way!

I hope that I can show people it's never too late to find new passions, stop bad habits, and start making memories! Life is too short to live complacently. Learn an instrument, forge a knife, ride a skateboard... just get off your ass and LIVE!

BDF: Did you enjoy the experience?

GC: Yes! I loved it and made three great friends that I am still in contact with four years later. Of course, I would give anything to compete again with some actual experience, but I have zero regrets! I would do it again any day. 

BDF: Were there any behind-the-scenes things that surprised you about the show?

GC: We spent most of the time in a very small waiting room that looked like it was on a SAW movie! Like a little dungeon! They had nothing but a tub of sodas and sweet snacks. Pretty sure I left a diabetic. Every smith that's been on the show signed the walls of that room, and it was cool to read the signatures. Some were wild! 

BDF: Did you enjoy the experience? Would you return?

GC: I would do it every weekend if I could. I enjoyed the pressure. I have competed a lot in my life, so adrenaline is something I enjoy. 

BDF: Do you have anything coming up that we should be watching for?

GC: I have a few things in the works, but I can't really talk about them just yet. Not that it's a secret, but I don't want to jinx it! I have made a big shift recently as an artist, so people will start seeing different creations coming out of my shop soon. 

Gene’s Advice for Fellow Smiths

BDF: Do you have any advice for aspiring bladesmiths?

GC: Do NOT buy junk! Save up for decent tools. Start with a good rounding hammer, anvil, and one burner forge. Get a box of one hundred railroad spikes and forge them all into blades! Do this before you buy expensive grinders, presses, etc. Get to where you can forge to shape over and over. Get a feel for how steel moves! People buy a cheap version of every tool they think they need and get frustrated. Take your time and get one good tool at a time, as you can afford to do so! But learn to swing that hammer first (you can thank me later)!

To see more from Gene Click, follow him on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

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