Knifemaker Biography

In 1982 I made my first knife after seeing a knife in a hunting and fishing magazine. The first knife was made with hand tools using a cast off file and a curly maple handle. Over the years knifemaking has become the artistic form of expression I am most passionate about. In my earlier years I became quite involved in oil painting and then in woodworking but none of them has captured me in the same manner as the challenge of making a knife. Lines are very intriguing. One of my greatest joys is the challenge of working with lines and using them in very intricate and pleasing ways. Each of my knives is thoroughly thought out before I commence the actual construction of the knife. All knives are first drawn on paper to exact specifications of size and materials. The finished knife will look exactly as the drawing. This is a reflection of my work history; I worked in civil engineering at a nuclear power plant for 30 years.

I do not see myself as an artist but as a designer. My ideas are derived from nature, art books, lines on everyday items, any line that sticks in my head. During my working years I had a fairly lengthy commute and would always have a drawing pad with me. There were times when I would stop at the side of the road to sketch a knife that I had been formulating in my brain. Sometimes at night, before I fall asleep, a knife design will appear in my head and I will get up and draw it.

The knife that first catapulted me into the knife making world was photographed by Jim Weyer and is included in his Points of Interest, Book II. It was a large dagger, with an ivory handle and intricate guard. Over the years I have designed and made different styles of knives, using different materials. I have collaborated with Martin Butler, Lytton McKenzie, Rick Fields, Ron Lake, Ron Skaggs, and Elizabeth Loerchner, among other well known artists.

Today I still use hand tools to create the components of each knife. Although time consuming, this method of work allows me to pay close attention to fine detailing and permits total freedom of design. The collector of my work will enjoy a truly unique handcrafted knife, finished to the very best of my ability. Since I very much enjoy the design process, all my knives are of my own design, and mostly “one of a kind” pieces incorporating the flowing lines for which my work is best known.

Although I do not specialize in any particular knife style, the majority of my work consists of intricate folding knives featuring fine inlays and file work. Smaller knives allow expression of form in a compact package, and because they are such little gems and a pleasure to work on I make several of these each year. As I am constantly striving to refine the combination of fine materials with form and function, my work is becoming more involved, hopefully resulting in creations that will stand the test of time. 

Making the next knife will be part of my life as long as I am able to. After forty years I am looking forward to another era of knifemaking. I will finally dedicate myself to creating  knives I have never had the time to make. This will limit me to a maximum of 2-3 highly involved knives per year with varied stylistic changes.