I have been making knives for over 20 years.  I believe in sole authorship and I stand behind my work 100%.

At the tender age of 13 my father helped me make a knife out of an industrial band saw blade.  I finished the knife, and after a few days of cutting things, started throwing the knife.  It was fun up until the knife broke.

Years past by and I was looking for a good hunting knife to dress out my game.  I contacted a local maker to placed order for a O-1 steel bladed hunter with Micarta scales and a plain leather sheath.  It performed so well that I asked him to show me how it was done.  Luckily for me he agreed!  In 1987 I decided to give knife making a try.  I produced some functional knives, rough by today's standards, and I actually had my first sale by 1988.

Having a full time job as a truck driver, knife making remained part time until 2003 when I decided to become a full time maker.  I started hand forging tool steel in 1989 after going to local smithy to watch him in action.

In 1992, after I had built a 780 sq. ft. shop to house all of the equipment I had been accumulating, I started making damascus steel.  I have attended several Hammer-ins over the years which helped me to see other smiths in action and pick up many good pointers and tricks along the way.  I'm quick to credit Howard Clark, Jim Miller and R.B. Johnson for their many years of help and advice.

In 1994 I started making folding knives including liner locks, lock backs, automatics, assisted openers and slip joint pocket knives.  Many of the folders I make today are considered art knives because of the choice materials and workmanship involved.  I use gold and silver, mosaic damascus, exotic materials and hot bluing to produce some stunning examples of art knives.

I use only the highest qualities of handle materials and tool steels in all of my knives.  I try to use as much stabilized materials as possible in order to prevent thermal expansion and cracking.  Every single knife I make has a 100% fully functional blade and I stand behind my workmanship for the life of the knife.  

I take every precaution in preparing natural handle materials, but that doesn't prevent some materials from shrinkage or cracking.  And as such, I cannot warranty natural handle materials. 

I buy all my steel from reputable steel mills and know the exact heat treat specs which means that no guess work or "get by" processes will suffice.  My heat treatment is digitally temperature controlled for accuracy and I hardness test every blade I make, this is guaranteed. 
 

A few years ago, I built a knife that looked like a bug, complete with legs, eyes and a blade.  Since that time I have become known as the "Bug Man" with such bug knives as a Ladybug, Centipede, Praying Mantis, Metallic Jewel Beatle, Butterfly, Dragon Fly, Stag Beatle, Rhino Beatle, Bat knife, etc...I guess the name fits.  Most of the bug knives are award winners along with several other types of knives I've made.

Over the years I've acquired numerous pieces of equipment that have slowly molded into a unique setup for each stage of knife making.  Multiple belt grinders, disc grinders, buffers, drills, mills, dremel tools, etc. - each play their part when I'm making knives.  Shop space is limited so anything that can have wheels, does have wheels!

1996 - Best Fantasy Art Knife - Badger Custom Knife Show

1997 - Best Custom Folder - Badger Custom Knife Show

1997 - Best Fantasy Art Knife - Badger Custom Knife Show

1997 - Best Fantasy Art Knife - Southeastern Custom Knife Show

1997 - Best Hand Made Award for Fantasy Art Knife - Blade Magazine

1999 - Best Fixed Blade - Badger Custom Knife Show

2000 - Best Fixed Blade - Badger Custom Knife Show

2002 - Best Fantasy Art Knife - Las Vegas Classic Knife Show

2003 - Judges Choice Award - Badger Custom Knife Show

2003 - Best Damascus Knife - Greater Ohio Valley Knife Show

2004 - Best Fantasy Art Knife - Chicago Custom Knife Show

2004 - *Best in Show* - Badger Custom Knife Show

2005 - *Best in Show* - Badger Custom Knife Show

2006 - Best Fixed Blade - Badger Custom Knife Show

2006 - Best Fantasy Art Knife - Badger Custom Knife Show

2007 - Best Fantasy Art Knife - Badger Custom Knife Show

2007 - Best Fixed Blade - Michigan Wolverine Knife Show

2008 - Best Custom Folder - Badger Custom Knife Show

2009 - Best Custom Folder - Badger Custom Knife Show

2009 - Best Fixed Blade - Badger Custom Knife Show