Gear Grab Bag

Bastinelli Knives

"My name is Bastien Coves and I have been a french Knifemaker for over 12 years and I recently had the chance to move to the USA. I live now with my wife and my 2 daughters near Orlando, FL. I started my knife collection when I was 7 and I’m very experienced with carrying, using, and playing each day with different kinds of knives (fixed blades, Karambits, balisongs, Katanas, folding knives, push daggers, etc.). My work as a knifemaker and knife designer pushes me to make lots of cutting tests each week over the past 12 years, which allows me to better create and warranty the perfect knife to my customers. I've done work for the military, law enforcement, French special units, martial arts instructors, martial arts students, collectors, etc. My work is my passion and I’m lucky to live it each day, and to meet and share it with other people who are passionate about knives."

Blackwood, Neil

"I made my first all-wooden knives or letter openers around the age of 6 or 7 and moved on to actual tool steel knives in my dad's shop class in eighth grade. In the early 70's, carrying pocketknives to school was the norm for boys, and a stacked leather-handled knife was a favorite project in my dad's metal shop class. In 1995, I became very serious about what had always been just a hobby. At that time, I began to acquire my own knifemaking equipment so I could work on knives away from my job. The same year my family and I relocated to Lakeland, Florida. Shortly after our move to Florida, I began developing the first standard models including my Small and Medium Hunters. I called on my experience from deer hunting in New York and I also considered a lot of feedback from local hunters and customers here in Florida. However, at this time, my main focus is on folders. As a machinist, I'm enjoying the challenges involved in making them."

De Villiers, Andre (ADV Tactical)

André started making knives while at school in South Africa. A need for a hunting knife snowballed into a career after his father wanted one too. Now he makes all kinds of knives, ranging from folders to fixed blades, to swords. His specialty, however, is artistic folding knives. He has been a full time maker since 1990.

Fischer, Frank

Owner/operator of Fischer Brothers, along with his brother, Todd Jr. Fischer Brothers Knives came from humble beginnings. The custom shop got its start in a shipping container in Frank Fischer’s backyard. In 2015, Fischer left his 123 sq. ft. shipping container for a more spacious workshop in Tampa, Florida. The change came at a good time, because Frank’s brother Todd Jr., who had been helping him on and off for a few years, decided to join him full time. So began a mentor/protégé relationship between the brothers.

George, Les

I began making knives in 1992 and have been fortunate enough to have worked with and learned from some of the best knife makers in the world. The maker most responsible for my progression is Stan Fujisaka of Kaneohe, Hawaii. I had been making knives for several years before I met Stan, but he opened the door to a new level of knife making for me and shared his considerable knowledge with me freely. I will continue to refine my craft and to build on all that I have learned so far. I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1997 and spent over 10 years in its service. I served as a heavy equipment mechanic, an Embassy Guard in foreign lands and a Senior Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician in many of the world's garden spots. I have trained in Explosive Dynamic Entry, Advanced Access and Disablement, Improvised Explosives and Devices, Weapons of Mass Destruction, Close Quarters Combat and many other technical and tactical skills. I have deployed to, lived and worked in Laos, Thailand, North and South Korea, Peru, Mozambique, South Africa, Iraq and many other places in between. Since my departure from the Marines I have worked as an Unexploded Ordnance Technician clearing unexploded munitions, from projectiles to land mines from old training areas. As an EOD Team leader in Iraq, I oversaw over 300 EOD responses and over 100 Improvised Explosive Devices where rendered safe. All of these experiences have given me a unique view of how I think knives and tools should be designed, made and used. I look forward to many new things during this new phase in my career. There is a lot of work left for me to do to get ready for more work to come.

Steel Flame

Derrick Obatake born and raised in East Los Angeles and has been designing and making jewelry for over 35 years. At an early age he was taught to be a machinist by his father. He is a Graduate Gemologist from GIA and has had formal training in traditional jewelry arts, Diamond setting, model making, casting, finishing and fabrication. He has extensive experience in Die striking, and 3D CAD design. I like to blend old school craftsmanship with new age technology to create an out of the box style that is hopefully refreshing and empowering. The parent company of Steel Flame®, Elements has been in business for over 25 years.

Unidentified Maker

*** We have very little information on items marked 'unidentified', if you have some information that could help with identification, please email us. Thank you! - [email protected] ***

Knife Thursday

Hinderer, Rick

In the mid 1980’s Rick Hinderer began his knife making journey making art knives in a small 14′ x 18′ turkey coop with none of the modern amenities, like heat or running water! Art knives are a far cry from the tactical scene which Rick is so deeply entrenched in now. Over the years his meticulous attention to knife design and knife making, coupled with his real world experience as a Fire Fighter / EMT sets him apart from the rest. Rick’s design philosophy is deeply rooted in his experience with using his knives as part of his first responder tools. That catalyst of change from art knives to hard use tactical was after Rick joined the rescue dive team. He really began to look at knives and designs more as hard use tactical tools than works of art. Rick began changing over from old world knife making techniques to modern CNC precision manufacturing. With the combination of designing art knives, and his real world experience as a first responder, this unusual perspective allows him to design hard use tactical folders that are not only aesthetically pleasing to the eye, but extremely comfortable in the hand. All of Rick’s products are engineered to go the distance when it counts the most whether it be when life is on the line, or you just need a good cutting tool.