Ken Gahagan

Ken Gahagan has been hooked on local history since he was a kid growing up in the North Hills. A familiar face at 18th century period shows and re-enactments, Ken is known as one of the most talented 18th century craftsmen on the French and Indian War circuit, often taking part in large out-of-state colonial fairs and Contemporary Long Rifle Association shows. His hand-forged early American knives and his authentic 18th century reproduction furniture always draw a crowd at the “Honest Brothers” tent where he and two of his F&I cronies, artist Fred Threlfall and silversmith Dave Hughes, normally set up shop. Ken is also a skilled gunsmith, but although he can make a handsome flintlock or muzzleloader, he prefers focusing on the arts of knifemaking and furniture-making. Ken and fellow craftsman Dave Hughes also work on leather projects together. Their authentic 18th century reproductions are highly prized items, often purchased by curators, antiques dealers, and historical sites. Many of their leather document boxes, in fact, can be found throughout Williamsburg. Re-enactors frequently call on Dave and Ken, too, for a specialty item such as a portmanteau (a French soldier’s leather traveling bag).

Ken Gahagan has been hooked on local history since he was a kid growing up in the North Hills. A familiar face at 18th century period shows and re-enactments, Ken is known as one of the most talented 18th century craftsmen on the French and Indian War circuit, often taking part in large out-of-state colonial fairs and Contemporary Long Rifle Association shows. His hand-forged early American knives and his authentic 18th century reproduction furniture always draw a crowd at the “Honest Brothers” tent where he and two of his F&I cronies, artist Fred Threlfall and silversmith Dave Hughes, normally set up shop. Ken is also a skilled gunsmith, but although he can make a handsome flintlock or muzzleloader, he prefers focusing on the arts of knifemaking and furniture-making. Ken and fellow craftsman Dave Hughes also work on leather projects together. Their authentic 18th century reproductions are highly prized items, often purchased by curators, antiques dealers, and historical sites. Many of their leather document boxes, in fact, can be found throughout Williamsburg. Re-enactors frequently call on Dave and Ken, too, for a specialty item such as a portmanteau (a French soldier’s leather traveling bag).
Ken takes a great deal of pride in his work and has a solid reading background on both the technical aspects of his crafts as well as the historical period in which those crafts evolved. He feels comfortable talking about either. Last year at the annual Bushy Run Ohio Conference, for example, Ken provided his audience with an inside look at knife-making during the fur trade. Ken has a full-time job, but since he owns his own business, he can take a day off during the week whenever a teacher might need him, as long as he has some prior notice. His hands-on presentations are always accompanied by great visuals. Speaking topics include:
~ Knifemaking During the Fur Trade (how to temper a knife, how to make a handle, what kind of knives were prized by Indians and frontiersmen; trade knives vs. riflemens’ knives vs. daggers, etc.) ~ 18th Century Woodworking (18th century trees, antique tools, furniture making, joinery techniques, and furniture styles e.g. Queen Anne style tea tables, colonial writing desks)


Contact Information Phone: 724-776-6820 E-mail: ken@kensonplastics.com