Knifemaker Biography - Julie Warenski

My career in the knife world began in 1986, when I met and married Buster Warenski. He taught me how to engrave along with many of his techniques in knifemaking. We worked as a husband and wife team for 19 years. I engraved all of his knives beginning in 1987.

Sadly and suddenly Buster passed away in 2005.

After his passing, I spent much time working on perfecting the knifemaking skills Buster had taught me over the years but I still needed more experience on the blade grinding. Curt Erickson offered to come and help me since Buster had taught him also.

We married a year later and now work as a husband and wife team again. I engrave all of Curt’s knives as well as make and engrave a few of my own.

Knifemaker Biography - Curt Erickson

I have been crafting custom hand made knives since 1983 when I had the great opportunity to work with legendary knifemaker Buster Warenski. Buster, who was a good friend of my father, had graciously agreed to teach me the finest points of knifemaking. The experience of working with Buster and spending time in his shop over the years turned out to have a tremendous influence on my life and my work, which is still very evident today.


I started out making knives part time, which later lead to some full time work. During this period I won several awards for my work and became one of the youngest voting members of the Knifemakers’ Guild. I have always enjoyed knifemaking because it has allowed me to express myself artistically and maintain the love for crafting with my hands. I make all type of knives using the very best materials possible and I constantly strive for perfection with every knife I make.    My passion, however, is the art knives - especially ornately embellished daggers.



The winter of 2005 quickly brought me back to my knifemaking roots when I was asked to give back my teachings to Julie Warenski, who needed help with her own knifemaking career - learning how to grind and finish knife blades.  After Busters passing Julie wanted to learn Buster's techniques so I was honored and grateful to give something I had been given so many years ago back to her.

Today we are working together as a new husband and wife team continuing the great tradition of making some of the finest knives possible. 
 I strive to make all my knives with some artistry and ornate embellishment that makes them a one of a kind pieces.  I also am one of the few who incorporate precious gemstone rocks in my handles and embellishment.

I attend various invitational knife shows and am a past member of the AKI.