William Stroman

September 18,1935 – March 3, 2024

RIP Bill you will be missed. He was always working in the shop on something his whole life. Even as a kid. A story he told to me many times. He was ditching school to work on a boat. (he loved boats) Truant officer came by looked at the boat and said good work. Bill would have told that way more flamboyantly.

There are wonderful tributes to him on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/william.stroman.14

Bill Stroman did blacksmithing, metalworking, knifemaking, leatherworking  and machining for many years in the city of Norwalk, California. This is in southern Los Angeles County. He moved to Bullhead City, Arizona a year before he died. Retired as a metallurgist, he specialized in making custom knives, swords and guns authentic to places and times in history. His work was for sale at knife shows, retail or by commission. See the photo section for many examples. He also builds and sells custom propane forges that can run 6-8 hours off a 20lb. cylinder of propane. Same as used on a propane BBQ.

Knives and swords he has made are often etched with WR Stroman or William Stroman. Norwalk

Bill  taught and demonstrated blacksmithing at many events. See him making a knife from a railroad spike here. He also handcrafts the leatherwork for sheaths, scabbards and holsters. He has varied interest besides blacksmithing, including building wooden boats (including kayaks and small sailboats), bicycles, small steam engines — whatever catches his interests. 

He has made Hollywood props working for Tony Swaton at Sword and the Stone  which is known as “the armourer for Hollywood”.