The Knives of Jim Bob Lamb BY DAV ID NIL L E S
T
HERE IS A PLACE JUST NORTH OF HOPE, ARKANSAS, WHERE VISITORS CAN STEP BACK IN TIME TO THE 1800S. It is Historic Washington State Park. The park features the largest collection of 19th-century buildings in the state. An important stop on the Southwest Trail, James Bowie, Sam Houston and Davy Crockett traveled through the area. It is here in Washington where James Black, a local blacksmith, forged the legendary Bowie knife. Over 150 years later, the site still boasts some of the best
Maintenance Supervisor for Howard County and has been with the Department for 28 years.
LEARNING FROM ONE OF THE BEST Lamb became interested in knife making at an early age. “My mentor, James Cook, lived three houses down the road from me on Highway 26 here in Howard County,” Lamb shared. “I was about 12 years old. Mr. Cook was well into learning the trade and was becoming a Journeyman. I asked
bladesmiths to be found. That may be because Washington
him if he would teach me to make knives. He said ‘sure,
is home to the James Black School of Bladesmithing and
come on!’ I went down there and he showed me how to
Historic Trades.
light a coal forge and started teaching me how to hammer
Among the knife makers that have passed through its doors is ArDOT’s own Jim Bob Lamb. Lamb is the Area
out a blade. We then discussed making a handle for it. I still have that knife today.” (continued on page 26) ARKANSAS HIGHWAYS MAGAZINE | SUMMER/FALL 2021
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