CUTLERY COUNTRY QUINTET

Over the past 38 years, I’ve met thousands of knifemakers with work ranging from newbie to legend. Being a newbie myself at first, I found myself gravitating to the newer makers, primarily because I could afford their knives and could get one without waiting years or decades.

Today I approach things differently and look for outstanding makers who share the following traits:

• Each is charismatic in his own way;
• Each gives of both his time and talent(s) to educate others, and;
• Each has a great sense of humor and is serious about his knives.

Here are my five favorite American makers who share the traits I look for most.

The GRINDER

During my military service in the U.S. Army 101st Airborne, my unit went through processing for an overseas deployment. At the time I was carrying