Journal

Every year in the knife shop has a predictable seasonal pattern. Summer is always the slow time but things start to pick up as the weather cools down. More people need knives as hunting season comes in and slowly the pace builds to a crescendo as Thanksgiving and Christmas near. After a few slow weeks over the holiday things ramp back up for knife making classes for the rest of winter and early spring. As things warm again there is a bit of a bump for spring turkey season and new fishing opportunities but no time compares with the pace...

Turning a creative hobby into a business is always risky. It’s especially crazy to do when you are the sole provider for a family of five and that hobby is hand crafted knives. Several years ago I made the decision to shut down my residential renovation business to pursue knifemaking full time. The truth is that I never was very good at making money in the remodeling business so it actually made sense to fall back on my hobby. This is the opposite of the traditional “don’t quit your day job” wisdom but for me in was the right thing...

Made for the kitchen, whether you're in camp or at home. This petty chef knife has a unique size perfect for everyday use. Learn about the Join or Die Knives Kitchen Cutlass and the theory and practical application that went into the design.

The Renegade craft fair is easily one of my favorite events of the year. It was my first big travel show that I went to in 2014. I have made it back every year except during the Covid lockdowns. This year I was accompanied by Billy Nelson of Eleven Knives and his girlfriend Amanda. They were great travel and booth partners. Also joining us in the tent was Andrea DeLeon with her knives and jewelry. I met Andrea years ago when she stopped by the tent at Renegade with Ed from Red Horse Knives while she was living in Chicago...