I've been making knives since 2004, and have had a deep passion for the knife world for as long as I can remember. Since I was about seven years old my dad would let me carry my new knife and my grandfather would always take me to shows to get more. I would spend hours every week cleaning, polishing and sharpening my collection whether they needed it or not.
I got started the year my oldest daughter was born. My shop was a little work bench in the basement ,a dremal tool, bench grinder and a bbq grill. I also aquired a few books on the craft. I was making knives from old files like everybody else started out. Even though what I was making wasn't the ideal knife I received much encouragement and support from my family and friends.
From there I met a few really good hearted people with a lot of information to share. A friend of mine Paul Earl turned me on to the idea of forging instead of just grinding valuable metal away. He also showed me the basic principles of hammering and shaping steel.
Then I joined a blacksmith organization in the area and was taught some basic ideas on creating different blades, as well as some of the chemistry of differing materials.
Soon after that, I was introduced to Tim Nolfi who basically started from scratch and instructed me on how to build a knife the proper way. He has let me in on trade secrets and techniques that , on my own, would have taken a lifetime to come up with. I do not think I could have ever taken in all he had to offer.
Along the way I have developed some of my own technique and aquired a considerable amount of tools and equipment for my shop. A far cry from the bench grinder and BBQ grill I began with.
I guess if I had to briefly explain my goal as a knifemaker, it would be to strive to make something different than what everybody else is making and come up with the most efficent design and materials suited for the purpose of the knife.