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Medford Knife and Tool

Greg Medford is a native Arizonan and an ardent American patriot. He is dedicated to hand-crafting and small-scale manufacturing as a part of the Small Factory Industrial Rebirth of America. A life long lover of all things edged, he is no newcomer to the design and use of knives. He has been restoring and using period Japanese swords since the mid 1980s. Greg is a professional Martial Artist and hand-to-hand instructor, as well as a close quarters master level instructor and has a very strong background in close quarters bare-handed weapon defense and disarms. He holds a Commercial Pilot’s License and is an FAA certified single/multi/instrument flight instructor. He holds a surface level aerobatic competency card for flying airshows and has been a leader in the Warbird Aviation community for years. When Greg flew airshows professionally, he was not only the pilot, but he built his planes, rebuilt their engines, and even imported exotic planes from around the world for restoration and use. All of these experiences uniquely prepared him for the design and manufacture of advanced edged weapons and tools. Greg served in the United States Marine Corps from 1988-1992 as an M.O.S. 0311. He was part of “New England’s Own” and deployed for Operations Desert Storm and Shield in 1990-1991.

Heretic Knives

"All of our knives are made in the USA and we will keep it that way. When you purchase one of our knives you can have confidence in your tool knowing that it is backed by an American company. Our knives are made in small production runs to ensure you receive a quality knife that has been given the attention other mass produced knives don't receive. In 2015 my wife Jessica and I founded Heretic Knives. As a second generation knife maker, applying the knowledge that has been passed to me, I want to bring designs and certain elements to the craft that haven't been tried before. In closing, I look forward to passing the same knowledge, plus what I've picked up on my own, down to the next generation."

KnifeArt.com

Curtiss Knives

"Curtiss Custom Knives is a veteran owned small business. When I decided to create this business, I had one standard in mind. To make the best knives and give the best customer service possible. I am the only one in our shop. No magic mini shop monkeys or anything. I start with a thought and turn it into a CAD drawing. If I like what I see, I create run files and cut my parts on our waterjet machine. Yes we have a waterjet in our shop. After the materials are cut into the basic shapes, I use our CNC machining center for the secondary processes such as milling, drilling, pockets and tapping. I do my blade grinds by hand on 2″x 72″ belt grinders that I designed and built. Other shop equipment includes heat treat oven, blast cabinet, vibe machine and misc. other machines. Anything else is done by hand by me. I do all of my sharpening on a belt machine I built. All knives receive a 20 degree polished edge. I do currently outsource for some hardware but we hope to make that ourselves soon. So I do not put my knives in a “mid-tech” or “production” classification. I call my knives “CUSTOM”. We own and operate all machinery in house."

Busse Combat Knife Company

In the late 1970's Jerry Busse began making custom knives in a small 16' x 22' cabin with no insulation, heat, or running water. After completing his bachelor's degree in 1982, he became a full-time knife maker. Making knives on a full-time basis afforded him the time to continue his education and to complete two graduate degrees. He has taught at three different universities while continuing to make knives on a full-time basis.In 1991, Jerry met Jennifer while teaching at Michigan State University and they were married the following year. In 1992 they formed the Busse Combat Knife Company and decided to move away from doing only one-of-a-kind customs, and focus instead, on implementing the use of modern CNC machinery to help produce a few standard models at much more affordable prices. Their combined use of CNC technology and old world craftsmanship allowed Busse Combat to push the performance envelope to new heights and to experience dramatic growth.They now operate out of several new buildings and have grown from a one-man knife shop into a very modernized and highly automated production facility. As the company continues to grow and evolve, Jerry and Jennifer strive to find innovative ways to continue improving Busse Combat.

Burnley, Lucas

Burnley Knives was created in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 2003 by Lucas Burnley. Lucas’ formative years were spent traveling North America with his family where he was raised on a steady diet of adventure in the campgrounds of National Parks and under the tutelage of some of the best action movies of our time. Lucas views knives as a personal expression of independence, self-reliance, and fun—ideas and philosophies he began formulating as a bowie-toting 7-year-old. He designs in a style that he considers to be Post-Tactical™, blending clean modern lines with tactical origins. Above all, he believes that utility shouldn’t come at the cost of beauty. Along with his custom line and BRNLY Brand (limited production), Lucas works closely with companies Böker and CRKT to continue making his designs available to a wider audience.

Fraley, D.B.

Derek (D.B.) Fraley began making knives in the early 1990's. His involvement in the knife industry also includes being a member of the Knifemakers Guild since 2002.

Hoback, Jake

Jake Hoback had a variety of jobs and experiences before turning to full-time knife making and becoming a prominent figure in the industry. He studied and worked as a fish and wildlife scientific technician, was a machinist at a turbine engine company, and fabricated rock-crawling 4x4s. Jake started creating knives in 1990 in his back yard, pounding them out on a huge chunk of steel with a framing hammer and fence post nails. By 2003, Jake had sold his very first knife, and in 2009 started making knives full-time from his workshop in Northern Idaho. Jake has learned many techniques and skills from other knife makers throughout the years, but his initial work was completely self-taught. Jake’s knives are known for many innovative features, including the Hoback Roller Detent (HRD), internal lightening pockets, hardened stainless lock inserts, hardened bearing races, and smooth blade movement with no blade play. Jakes specializes in folding and fixed blade knives; but he especially enjoys the thought, design, and engineering that goes into folders.