Island roots. Old-world influence. Built by hand.

A handmade knife should feel personal. It should carry the marks of the person who made it, reflect the materials it came from, and be built for the life its owner intends to live with it.

I’m Jason Fleck, the bladesmith behind Da Hawaii Viking. From my forge in Mountain View on Hawaiʻi Island, I create one-of-a-kind knives designed to be used, carried, and passed down.

How the Forge Started

My journey into bladesmithing began in 2017 after watching Forged in Fire and seeing Hawaiʻi bladesmith Neil Kamimura compete. Watching someone from the islands practice the craft at that level made blacksmithing feel real and attainable—and I knew I wanted to learn.

I began taking classes from experienced smiths and continued building my skills through hands-on work at the forge. Every knife became a new lesson in steel, fire, balance, handle materials, and the patience required to bring all those elements together.

What began as curiosity grew into a serious commitment to the craft and eventually became Da Hawaii Viking.

The Work

Every Da Hawaii Viking knife is handmade individually. I work through both traditional forging and stock-removal methods, choosing the process that best suits the design and purpose of the knife.

My work includes hunting knives, camp knives, everyday-carry blades, kitchen knives, and custom pieces built around a customer’s needs or ideas. Whenever possible, I incorporate materials with a strong connection to the islands—such as koa and mango—alongside other carefully selected natural handle materials.

No two knives are exactly alike. Small variations are part of the character of work made by hand, but performance always comes first. A knife should feel balanced, dependable, and ready to work.

After making nearly 190 knives, I’m still learning from every piece that comes out of the forge.

Why “Da Hawaii Viking”?

The name brings together two important parts of who I am: my love for Hawaiʻi and my Swedish and Scottish heritage.

The work reflects that combination as well. It draws from traditional blade shapes, old-world craftsmanship, and the rugged functionality associated with tools that were made to be relied upon—all shaped by the materials, culture, and landscape of Hawaiʻi Island.

Da Hawaii Viking is not about mass production. It is about creating something distinctive, functional, and personal.

Made on Hawaiʻi Island

My wife and I have built our life on our property in Mountain View, where the forge has become an important part of that life.

Being based on the Big Island influences how I work and what I make. The people I meet, the local woods available to me, the hunting and outdoor traditions of the islands, and the surrounding landscape all find their way into the finished knives.

I’m grateful for every person who stops to talk story at a market, takes one of my classes, commissions a custom build, or chooses to carry one of my knives.

Find Your Place at the Forge

Whether you are looking for a finished knife, have an idea for a custom piece, or want to experience blacksmithing for yourself, there are several ways to continue.

Commission a Custom Knife
Work with me to create a one-of-a-kind knife designed around your intended use, preferred style, and choice of materials.

Take a Blacksmithing Class
Step into the forge and experience the process firsthand through a bottle-opener workshop or a custom knife-building class.

Shop Available Knives
See the knives currently available for purchase.

Explore the Gallery
Browse past work for inspiration and see the range of knives that have come out of the Da Hawaii Viking forge.