bladeshow

I got to steal some time (but not his hat) and talk with award winning slipjoint maker,  whiskey aficionado, Yukon Cornelius look-alike, the marvelous and debonair - Luke Swenson, to talk about life, knives, shows, and a ton more. 

• Luke talks about growing up in South Texas, and his earliest memories of knives
• He talks about his stint in the Navy, firefighting, and a little about his family
• Luke also talks about his prostate cancer diagnosis, remission, relapse, and retirement, that sprung him into making knives
• Luke talks about his shift from fixed blades to slipjoints after meeting Bill Ruple
• We talk about information sharing, Luke's admiration of other knifemakers, and some experiences of Tony Bose
• We talk some about slipjoint popularity, show attention, and handmade vs. CNC
• We talk Luke winning Best Slipjoint at Bladeshow, his other awards, and talk about award judging
• We talk also talk about selling at shows, dealer relationships, perception vs. reality, knife prices, and so much more!

You can find Luke's work on his Facebook group, Instagram, and at select dealer sites. 

Aaron Lawvere: Website, Instagram
Podcast: Instagram

Aaron had a chance to talk to up and coming knifemaker, mentored by Tony Marfione, and Edison Barajas & Sebastian Berenji - Jake McCoy of McCoy Bladeworks. 

• We talk about Jake's early exposure to knives as a 12 year old at Blade Show Atlanta
• Jake mentions his relationship with Marfione family, and his apprenticeship at Microtech Knives
• He also talks moving to Miami, meeting his wife, working with Edison Barajas, and moving back to GA
• We talk social media and Teagan running his community
• We talk about Jake's friendship with Ramon Chavez of Chavez Knife and Tools, hanging out at shows, and his parent's support of his knife passion
• We talk knife sales, learning curve of pocket knives, his knife design, great grandfather's knifemaking, and much more!

You can find Jake's work on his Facebook group, and Instagram

Aaron Lawvere: Website, Instagram
Podcast: Instagram

Aaron Lawvere & Chris Crawford had the extreme pleasure of speaking with ABS Master Smith, one of Steve Shackleford's Greatest Living Knifemakers, and a pioneer of the Cut & Shoot "dual-threat" model of knife and gun combinations - Bruce Bump on this episode of the podcast.

• Bruce shares a little of his life and background, and living in Walla Walla, Washington, including his early experience with knives as a Cub Scout
• Bruce talks a little about his early days in knives from being a motorcycle mechanic, and joining the ABS
• We talk a little about Cut & Shoots, inspiration and how Bruce got into them in the first place
• Bruce talks a little about his Formula 1, an automatic knife and mechanism of his own invention
• He also talks about the special features of the mechanism
• We talk Bruce's effort in education, writing posts for the Knifedogs Forum, and carrying on his knowledge
• We talk a little about hand-made tooling and machining that Bruce uses in his knife shop
• Bruce talks about now making Cut & Shoots from scratch, without pre-design
• We talk a little about engraving and Brian Bump's contributions towards Bruce's work
• Aaron inquires to Bruce's packaging and the books he had made to house his work
• Bruce talks a little about swords, especially his current work for Bladeshow Atlanta
• He also shares a little bit of advice for knifemakers coming up in the craft

You can learn a little more about Bruce Bump, his work, and gallery at his Website. Check out his Formula 1 pocket knife too! You can also follow him on Instagram, Facebook, and pickup a copy of Steve Shackleford's The Greatest Living Knifemakers, and get Bruce to sign it!

Aaron Lawvere: Website, Instagram
Podcast: Instagram

Aaron Lawvere & Chris Crawford had the opportunity to talk fixed blades and knife business with Kansas City, MO royal - Alex Harrison from Night Watch Knives, on this episode of the podcast.

• Alex talks about how he got into building his first knives and his early exposure to knives
• We all agree how awesome Matt Martin is
• We talk knife aesthetic, finishing, and knife design
• Aaron goes tangental on hominid knives and prison shanks?
• Chris steps in to correlate slip ergonomics to mechanism relationship
• We talk Alex's Interloper knife and design
• Alex shares some about order process and criteria for success
• We all talk about producing knives to volume for drops and shows
• We also talk shows, opinion from other makers on your work, and more!

Check out Alex's Instagram, Facebook, and you can find Alex's works on a few sites like DLT Trading and Buccaneer Knives

Aaron Lawvere: Website, Instagram
Podcast: Instagram

In this Micro Podcast episode, Aaron talks about knife show etiquette, not only for show goers, but for knifemakers who intend on meeting up with other makers. 

Aaron Lawvere: Website, Instagram
Podcast: Instagram

Aaron Lawvere & Chris Crawford had the opportunity to talk the venerable Stanley Buzek on this episode of the podcast.

• Stanley talks about the pronunciation of his last name, his Czech background, Kolach, and Texas czech culture.
• We get to know Stanley's early influences with knives, especially his uncle's theater knife!
• We talk pattern sourcing and the pattern sharing community
• Stanley talks about embellishments, engraving.
• We discuss knife shows and knife show culture, and Blade Show specifically
• Stanley tells us about his experience with knife photography
• We also get some words of wisdom to new makers, and more!

Check Stanley's social media out, and give him a follow: Website, Facebook, Instagram

Aaron Lawvere: Website, Instagram
Podcast: Instagram