I was born in 1978 and grew up on a (mostly) un-farmed chunk of land in Southern Missouri. The land was wild, expansive, and full of adventures for a young boy. I spent a lot of my youth exploring every inch of that land with a Buck Special strapped to one side and a black lab walking close on the other.

I’m not sure where my love for knives came from – but it’s always been there. I started collecting knives from flea markets or garage sales. I even built a few blades in my father’s workshop when I was about 12. I had no idea what I was doing, but it was fun nonetheless.  As I grew, so did my collection. After high school, I joined the United States Marine Corps as a reservist and went on to play soccer and attend college.

After sowing my proverbial “wild oats,” I settled down in Springfield, Missouri and started working as an editor and writer for the internet department of a large outdoor retail company. Around 2002, the bug to build knives hit me hard. I spent hours upon hours reading the internet asking questions, and talking to as many knifemakers as I could. My first “adult knife” turned out about as well as the knives I built when I was a kid, but I kept at it and have been a full-time maker since 2007.

My wife and I currently have two young kids that keep us busy!

I pride myself on building blades that are both functional and beautiful.  I am a collector and user of knives myself, so I know how a knife needs to perform.  Whether it’s to cut open mail, or dressing a deer – my blades are built to be used.

I usually only work on one blade at a time but the reality of a big event like a show means that I sometimes have several going in parallel.  I believe the blades deserve unique and specific attention to make them to the best of my abilities.  Sometimes it is a long process to get a blade from barstock to your pocket, but it’s a process I greatly enjoy.  

I take my time with my knives and I will work with you to create the blade you want.  I am always more than happy to e-mail pictures of the progress of your blade and I invite you to ask questions. Your blade is your companion so it’s your right to get to know it well.

I build most of my knives out of 1095 and W-2.  I also use CPM-154 if a customer requests stainless and I use Chad Nichols’ stainless damascus.  I also make my own damascus with my friend and fellow knifemaker Jody Muller. 

My main focus is on folders — linerlocks, framelocks, and flippers. and if I feel like I can’t build your order to your satisfaction, I can put you in touch with someone that can.