[“The biggest mistake you can do in life is to not fully use your talent”] or words to that effect rang in Jan’s on that day in 2017 he quit his job in a woodworking company. It had been but a year since he had crafted his first knife, at age 30: he had seen someone transform an old rusty grinding file into a beautiful, mirror- polished knife, and wanted to see if he could do it. He could, using tools at his company – which also provided the wood for the handle. But it would take more than talent. One knife led to another and very soon, buyers materialized for his creations. Within the year his true vocation was confirmed, as he kept pushing himself, inspired by a helpful community of fellow bladesmiths. And Jan continues to push himself, excelling at complexities as daunting as the hamon.