About the Maker

As far back as I can remember, I was infatuated with swinging a hammer. I remember watching my Papa swinging a sledge hammer, busting up concrete, or pounding in stakes. I remember my father, banging nails at home, and knocking steel about repairing things. I recall a trip to Michigan's Greenfield Village, a living history of America and its growth, around the 3rd grade. It was this trip I first saw glowing hot steel being manipulated by a Blacksmith on an anvil with his forging hammer. It was in that moment, the itch began. I grew up swinging a hammer, but not in the forge. I got my education on a carpentry crew. Starting at 14 I worked with all walks and ages. This would be my fall back "career" as I aged and would find myself wanting to try new things, and adventure more. I've held many of jobs in between. Some great, some awful. I spent some time touring the country with bands and musicians, I worked at the Home Depot for a short stint, Some how always coming back to my hammer and tool bags. It was in that last run of time as a carpenter I had the pleasure to work for the man that would later become my current employer, a mentor, and a close friend,

After a handful of years of making leather sheaths, belts, cases, and other goods on a day to day basis, along with helping with phone, email and office duties. Jim presented me with the offer to Apprentice, make my own knives for sale and learn the trade as so many ask to come learn and very few have gotten too. I have always been a watch and learn type, and very curious. So I took every chance I had being in the shop 5 days a week to observe Jim as he created his beautiful knives. Jim started me out stacking and gluing up spacers, and tested my eye for colors, and sizing the proper size pieces of stag and ivory he would use on his knives. Later I finally got to try my hand at swinging a hammer, this came natural for me, however learning to control the steel was a learning curve. Over the next year I got to try my hands at working on various knives at different stages of completion to learn steps, learn machines, and learn what NOT to do. Jim kept a watchful eye on each step, and with that gave criticism, both good and bad. I'm not good at taking in the bad, but I listened, thought about it and would reflect. I feel this progressed my work much quicker than any other way could have. I have been blessed with a opportunity I will never take for granted and everything I do in this business I owe a debt of gratitude to Jim.

Each knife I make is unique, as of now in 2022 I do not make anything to pattern, but rather by look and feel. I experiment with designs, steels, colors, materials, and ideas. I draw inspiration from everywhere, from other makers, nature, and experiences. I like to mix and match, styles and colors. I am heavily influenced by makers like William Scagel, Jim and James Behring, MSA/Marbles, Jelle Hazenberg, Mareko Maumasi, Geoff Feder, Jared Lees, Steve Schwarzer, Steve Pellegrino and so many more. There is inspiration everywhere, you just have to notice it. Each knife is carefully crafted to the best of my ability at the time I am making each piece, with time comes progression and I hope to progress in some fashion with each and every thing I make. See more of the process on my instagram linked below

It is in my nature to be giving, I was raised to not take, but to give, not talk but to listen. When I was a younger child some hard times hit my family, Our community was there and helped pick us back up and gave support. It is something that I have never forgotten and has impacted me in many of ways. I have always enjoyed acts of service, I was a Cub/Boy Scout, we did a lot of community service in the many years there. I have more recently joined a local Lions club, again the mission is community service. I remember being a young kid, loving the outdoors, camping, hunting and fishing with my Dad, I remember going to local gun shows and flea markets always infatuated with the blades I would see on tables. Deep down inside I was always hoping the vendor would reach out over the table and gift me a knife. Not sure I would have taken anything for free, but the idea of it was exciting. When I started making, I decided day one, I was going to "sponsor" or gift a young, avid, outdoors loving child a blade. I have done this each year since Rocco has started. I carefully watch, and pay attention to the kids I see in my local community, at the trade shows, and on social media. I choose based on there actions, excitement and love for the outdoor activities, hunting, camping, fishing and the likes. I choose at least one kid a year, and I will make them a blade and gift it to them. In hopes of them remembering the acts of kindness I was shown as a child and that they to will pass on the pay it forward ideal.

Pictured at Blade Show 2021: Rocco with "little man James" Sporting his R⚡H camo hat and Custom USA themed "bendy knife" one of the first filet knives I made and ground to be extra flexible. Little man is a prime example, even at this very young age to show an incredible interest and respect to all things outdoors.