A U D R A D R A P E R
Riverton, Wyoming
KNIFEMAKING
Audra was born in California and raised in Wyoming. In 1992, Audra began making knives with Ed Fowler on the Willowbow Ranch outside of Rivertown, WY. In 1996, she attended the ABS Blade Show in Atlanta, GA; she applied for and passed the test to become a journeyman smith in the American Bladesmith Society. Soon afterward, she rented a shop and stared making knives on her own.
In 2000, Audra became the American Bladesmith Society's first and only female master bladesmith. She specializes in creating her own Damascus steel and her knives are all made from Damascus. She also makes all the handles using natural materials such as wood, horn and ivory.
The whole family get involved at the Draper shop. Audra's husband, Mike, is also a journeyman smith with ABS and their three children make knives and an assortment of jewelry from the remaining Damascus. The Draper's offer individual classes and host an annual Hammer-In each April.
