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I am 26 years old and live in a very small town in southwest Washington.
A family friend taught me to carve wooden knives when I was 12. By age 14 I had made my first knife...a 9" dagger out of an old file with flute Koa handle.
When I graduated from high school I decided to step up a few notches and bought a few pieces of serious knifemaking equipment. Unfortunately I did not know how to use them very well and in frustration left them alone only making a few knives.
I studied Mechanical Engineering in college and worked the whole time as a personal trainer at a PowerHouseGym.
By the time I turned 20 the interest in making knives was still there, but the skills were not. I took a folder making class with JP Moss in Woodson, TX, which got me fired up about making knives again. JP's attention to detail and attitude toward fit and finish pointed me in the direction I wanted to go.
I started going to some local shows and working more with my equipment. Soon I was making quite a few hunting knives via the stock removal method and having them heat-treated by Paul Bos.
At 22 I was living in Vancouver, WA, but driving back to my parents' (1.5 hours each way) nearly every day to work in the shop.
My first real knife show was in 2001 at Eugene, OR, and by that time I had made my first "serious" knife...another dagger.
It was around this time I got started in forging blades. Much thanks to Tom Ferry (JS) and Bill Cottrell for really giving me the help to get started with hot knife work. I then took a trip to Michael Vagnino's (MS) and learned much more about how to methodically construct a forged knife with precision. I am glad to call these three men friends!
By 23 I was forging almost all of my blades and decided to go full-time as a bladesmith. This would NOT have been possible without the support of my absolutely wonderful family. I am truly fortunate to have the family that I do.
I now have a very well equipped bladesmithing shop, and know just enough to be dangerous.
I take pride in doing most all of my own work, from design to finished proudct. This includes forging my blades, forging my own damascus, heat-treating, all handle work, and leatherwork.
At this time I still send stainless blades to Paul Bos and on occasion recruit the work of some professional leather workers.
Around the same time I started making knives, my love for fitness and bodybuilding began. I have a very strong passion for what the human body is capable of, so I am constantly working to improve my physique. I love lifting weights. Another of my great loves is that for the outdoors. My father, Jim, started taking me fishing at age 3, and my love for being outside has only grown since.
If I'm not in the shop or at the gym, I can most likely be found making my way around the gorgeous scenery we have here in the Northwest. I have spent many many hours, hiking, biking, and just plain exploring places like Mt. St. Helens, and the Washington and Oregon coastline. One of my favorite places of anywhere I've been is the rocks below the North Head light-house in Ilwaco, WA.
I look forward to chatting with you at a knife-show, through email, or on the phone.
Thanks!!!