Judsens love of blacksmithing started very young when his old man picked up an old anvil with a broken tail that sheared off at the hardy hole for a few dollars. He would spend hours in the garage cold hammering 16 penny nails into tiny spear points and double bladed knives he would “sharpen” on river rocks or the antique treadle grindstone his father had also purchased. He was introduced to hot forging by a family friend who made a living making woven ash pack-baskets and knives from his far off-grid homestead. There, Judsen was helped to make a twisted bracelet out of an antique iron nail.

A few years later, Judsen built a makeshift charcoal forge out of a salvage brake rotor and a shopvac. He made fire pokers and cooking stands to take on canoe trips.

After graduating high school Judsen joined the Army, serving for 4 years.