Legacy Should Be Unlocked, Not Just Preserved.

A shadow box is the library of a career. It protects the history, but it often locks it behind glass, silent and untouched.

I believe a legacy is not a static object to be viewed from a distance. It is a living story that needs a key to set it free. The Legacy Ulu is that key—a tool designed to take the memory off the wall and put it back in your hand, where it can be held, used, and felt.

My name is Stephen, and I am a veteran and a former professional wildland firefighter. I created Stickman Forge to forge a new kind of heirloom, one that carries the very soul of its owner into the future.

This mission began not just with steel, but with a deep look into history.

The Soul of Our Design: A Legacy Forged in History

The shape of our Legacy Knife is not an accident. It is a deliberate fusion of two of human history's most powerful and symbolic traditions. Our philosophy is rooted in the shared spirit of the Alaskan Ulu and the Viking Axe.

1. The Vessel of Wisdom: The Alaskan Ulu The ulu, a tool from the Stone Age still in use today, is the ultimate testament to timeless, functional design. It was never just a tool; it was a cherished heirloom and a core part of a person's life.

• A Vessel of Wisdom: The ulu was believed to carry the wisdom of its owner, "learning" their recipes and methods.

• A Mark of Identity: Its unique markings and adornments signified the owner's personal and cultural identity within their community.

• A Guarantee of Success: Native cultures believed that embellishing a tool with beauty would "please" the spirits, guaranteeing success and survival in a challenging world.

• A Link to Heritage: Ulus were highly valued and passed down through generations, with their markings serving to identify family lineage.

2. The Symbol of Power: The Bearded Viking Axe Like the ulu, the axe was the trusted companion of the warrior—a powerful symbol of brotherhood, strength, and personal identity. The blades were not generic; they were imbued with power, often engraved with sacred runes to provide protection, strength, and guidance to the one who carried it.

Our Philosophy: Forging Your Legacy

As I studied these traditions, I realized I didn't need to add the spirit of the Axe to the Ulu—that spirit was already there. My job is to amplify it.

We create a tool with the Ulu's soul: a vessel for your wisdom and a mark of your lineage, designed to be passed down.

We honor it with the Viking's spirit: engraving the modern-day "runes" of your service—the rank, ribbons, and insignia that represent your protection, strength, and guidance—deep into the steel.

Our Craft: A Standard of No Compromise

A legacy must last for generations. That is why we build to a standard, not just a design.

Our handles are not just "colored like" a ribbon. They are the ribbon, scaled up and made permanent. We research the official milspec dimensions for every stripe and recreate them in custom-colored resin, meticulously cut and aligned to a tolerance of 1/1000th of an inch.

We then ensure the bond is permanent through a rigorous, destructive testing process on the anvil. If the bond fails, it is not worthy of a legacy. Our etches are not light markings; they are deep, tactile, and permanent—designed to be felt.

Forged by One of Our Own

This is not just a business to me; it is a continuation of service. As a veteran and a firefighter, I know what it means to belong to a brotherhood. I've lived the life, and I speak the language.

When I forge an axe or etch a blade, I'm not an outsider guessing what these symbols mean. I am an insider, honoring a story that I share.

At Stickman Forge, we are forging a functional, powerful heirloom. A legacy that will be held, used, and never forgotten.