Audra Draper: Master Bladesmith - Our Wyoming 

What amazes me most... is that she can keep those nice nails while doing this kind of work. I have to keep my nails trimmed as short as possible or I end up with cracked broken and painful things happening with my nails, hands and fingers. But I have huge respect for anyone that can do this type of work... especially to the level of craftsmanship and art that this lady does. Good for you!

What a great discovery!! I am a blacksmith, for 36 yrs., a member of a contemplative community of nuns in Ct. who steward a working farm and land conservation area, with gardens, sheep, cattle, dairy, chickens, forestry, pastureland machinery, etc. and Pray seven times through the 24 hrs. of the day and night...Our primary mission. Our forge was built in 1750, I began with traditional technique and then acquired skills as the needs of our community called for me to answer. So... many of my male apprentices have wanted to learn bladesmithing. So..., I've got to learn!!! and I have sent this video forward. This is one of the best parts of blacksmiths... None of us can ever know-it-all, so I am always learning and when you teach the students are a big driving force and I know that same JOY when you see the "newbie" awaken to the challenge of the forge. So happy to have found you.

I love how supportive her husband is. Not trying to steal the show or anything, just flat support of her skill and passion

Mike is a lucky guy to have a wife like Audra. In turn, she is fortunate to have a man who helps and supports her in her life's work. Loved every moment of this video.

My wife is an iron worker she went to school to get her welding certifications and now she does structural steel and rebar work

there is something to be admired in a woman that can brave a mostly man run craft like blacksmithing, salute Audra. 😉

This is just a really great story with a really great couple having a really great life. I got into knife-making at the age of 59 because of forged in fire. I so wish I would have got into it much earlier as I love this art. I love that she says how she will do this for the rest of her life until she can't swing a hammer but of course she's got a back-up plan , a power hammer!

What an amazing story, a Husband and Wife team like that can't be beat. Each one does anything they can to make the team successful. I love the dagger at the end of the video, a real work of art the bolsters, blade and handle go so well together it's just amazing.

She's got a magical spirit, a very special lady. What a inspiration. Greetings from a small village in Ireland reaching out if it was only to say thank you. My little girl will help her daddy in the forge where I will encourage her as much as you has encouraged me with your video. Good health to you & thanks again.

Wow. You go sister! I thought I'd never seen a video on a woman bladesmith. Congratulations you are an inspiration!

Your video was fantastic. This is where love and compassion for the work that you do makes the difference. Both of y'all are fantastic. The dagger was spectacular.

This person is awesome, She teaches the fundamentals, encourages the art and style in her student's imaginations and allows them to merge into our reality. You can't invent talent like that, that talent was simply meant to be.

I own two knives she's made. One had a snake-wood handle that cracked and she replaced the handle at no charge!

I'm so glad I found this video. I've yet to meet a female bladesmith, which makes it kinda tough as I start this journey. I am very much inspired seeing this.

Thank you for this great interview with an awesome master bladesmith.

Hi there! I wish I knew that you all did this when I was in highschool! Audra Nisely(Yennie) here! Riverton native! Awesome work!! Looking forward to taking some classes when we get back home this Spring!!

Simply brilliant.

Beautiful work and I can see you have solved the big secret that a lot of people are still trying to find and it's what my father taught me and I passed it on to my son and 2 daughters and that is ( TAKE PRIDE IN EVERYTHING YOU DO AND RESPECT THE MATERIAL) THANK YOU!) JAKE BISSEL.

Your story is so cool, good for you Audra.

Amazing work ,I love it when a woman shows she can do it just as good if not better than a man ,we are all unique, so be unique

Beautiful team work , beautiful knives

Awesome, makes me very proud of Wyoming and it’s people. What a great story!

Wow, what a story! Congrats to to the Drapers; one heck of a team for sure.....

Awesome story. Beautiful knives.

I think a good knife maker stems from who the person is, not what they are. From what little I’ve seen here, I’m willing to bet you make some darn good cuttin’ tools! Thanks.

Back when we lived in Lander, 'bout 1984, I think, I went to the Winter fair and met a couple of fellows from Riverton selling knives and they called their outfit "DC Knives." It was from them that I purchased the one and only custom knife I ever bought. The blade had two outer layers of softer, more pliable steel, and one bonded central cutting edge that has proven to be the best edge holder I've ever known. Have you heard of these folks? I don't know if they're still in business, but since you live in Riverton, I thought to ask. I still tell all my friends they they should own at least one fine, custom-made knife! God bless you and yours!

Gorgeous steel. It’s great to to see such an ancient art still alive.

to create a knife from red hot steel is such an art, for it to have enough hardness to hold an edge with just enough flex to bend not break, to make the handle be comfortable in the hand, it is very much a higher tier craftsmanship.

Happy to see the craft getting some PBS publicity! Audra seems awesome!

So awesome , congrats. Cool earrings as well!

I love this story.

Gorgeous...and the knife aint bad either!

Wow,Wow,Wow. What a refreshing story. Keep up the good work.

Beauty Queen moving the steel scene! I feel blessed to have seen this vid...awesome American Woman!!!

Nice to see someone step up to the plate and swing for the fences instead of complaining. She swatted one out of the park. Wonder if she ever thought of going on Forged in Fire?

Outstanding workmanship

I know you know what you are doing. Great skill. I was horrified that you would get that beautiful hair wrapped up in that Little Giant. Then I saw you had it pulled back. I know of two women who were scalped. Both with ag equipment. Nope not a scaredy cat nor puss cake. I just bleed a lot in my shop! Congratulations from an Old Texas Cowboy.

Just goes to show behind every great woman is a good man.

Wow what a knife you made 😍👍😎 I love it, great job. Thank you for sharing. ❤️😍👍😎

Ok first of all, thank you for being in the trade. Second, I don't believe that someone has anything to prove by struggling for it except off his-her work. Just keep up the good work and follow your heart at all times.

Great story.👍

Mr. Draper is a lucky man to be married to such a beautiful and talented woman!

WoW, That is awesome....... Thanks for sharing....

awesome, would love to take a class, maybe some day as I have to keep adding to my bucket list because things are getting checked off, like living in Alaska, beautiful state, not like anything here in the lower 48

wow that GREAT!!!!! beautiful work

She's gorgeous!❤️

just tripped across this.. I met you years ago at the Atlanta Blade show via a friend of mine.. Roger Pol. unfortunately Roger has left us.. Hope to see you at this years show..

would have been good to see more of her knives

Beauty, Brains and Brawn. And makes knives to boot.

So awesome!

Love your vid and the stage coaches, oil pump, beautiful country.

She’s amazing! You go girl! .....Where can I buy her knives?

I collect Randall made knives. Now, I want one made from her! Amazing work she does! Check her work out!

Thats so cool

Thanks for all those videos

It’s a awesome class to take they both have a ton of knowledge and a lot of fun

Well done ma’am!

No room for Ego in happiness.Just allow the pieces to fall where they may,naturally.Lucky family.

Have you ever thought about doing Forged in Fire we have the programme here in the U.K. and I must admit I find it fascinating enjoyed the vid.

Beautiful

Very nice. Looks like your what's happening in Riverton. Your awesome. 🤗🤗🤗🤗

What a stunning girl

Incredible story

Amazing

Not so much with my parents, but I always took the word Can't as a challenge.

Will she be on that "Forged in Fire" tv show? (or has she already?)

Interesting hairstyle for working with heat, hammers and moving power tools!

I love it when folks from my town of birth make good!

wish you lived in mich. love to take your class

This is the woman you need in top level government positions.

Strangely enough I've ran into the same attitude with the ABS Master smiths on several occasions . On one occasion someone from the ABS shouted "" Yo boy, when your over here [ in the USA ] You do what we tell you " 160 Master smith ! How many Journeymen smith ? There is other ways of achieving Mastery in Knife forging than the ABS way ! All it takes is hard work .

I'm glad to see she broke down barriers. Are there any African-American master bladesmiths?

This is one of favorite side of america ....you can find everything yoı looking for

Audra is also one hell of a good nurse.

I really love Damascus blades.

Saludos desde Nicaragua muy buena forja......te felicito

Wonderful. That's a lot of hair near that forge.

What a great team!!!

Good for u that is amazing !

i like this week❤❤❤❤❤

You are a lucky man. Take care of her.

Congrats

Loved the videod

Way cooler than that person from Brooklyn making file knives for $800.

It reminded me of my dad when she said her father said , can't can never do nothing , my dad always said , can't is not a word figure it out.

Do you know any other female blade-smiths? I've never met a female smith in person before. Quite rare.

Awesome!

Super cool

3:10 looks like Sting (Frodo's sword).

0:18 That open hair gives me scary toughts

Awesome

well done ma'am

Seems like everyone is a master smith now.

This is fabulous! I’m interested in your class! How many to a class and how much?

Is there contact information for her? I would like to take a class.

So much talented and beautiful lady. She got a perfect macht whit her husband.

7:50 cameraman almost got beheaded

She is cool

Where is this lady’s contact info! I live in Riverton, would like to buy a knife or get one made!

This woman is awesome but her long hair around the machinery scares the crap out of me. Absolutely amazing work though. 👍🏼👍🏼