Corbet Sigman – A Pillar of the Guild

Today, American bladesmiths are numerous. Each month sees new candidates present themselves, some last; others are just a flash in the pan. When the Knifemaker’s Guild saw the light of day in 1969, its ranks were much more sparse and not many veterans of this golden era remain. One who is still going strong through is Corbet Sigman, whose renown in the 1960’s was still in its infancy. Corbet was born March 8, 1932 in Putnam, West Virginia and lived there all his life.

Shy, humble and modest, he is deeply respected by his peers; when one of them finds himself faced with a technical problem then it is to Corbet, and to him alone, that he turns.

He is an Old Master of all stages of the manufacture of a straight knife, something sufficiently exceptional to warrant a mention.

An illustration of his status comes from the magazine American Blade, which had the idea of publishing a book entitled How To make Knives. It asked the best knifemakers to write about the stage of manufacture that they knew the best. Chapters were written by such prestigious names as Bob Loveless and Bill Moran. Only the “polishing” section remained; but to whom should it be entrusted? You guess right, Corbet Sigman. But it could very well have been him to write any other chapter. And we should not forget that when the Dutchman Frans van den Heuvel wanted to learn American cutlery techniques, it was Corbet Sigman he contacted, who generously provided him with his advice by mail.

His straight knives are like him: robust, clear, simple and authentic, but what authenticity. Corbet died August 5, 2006 in the same house he was born in 74 years earlier in Putnam, West Virginia.