Patch Lot

Terzuola, Bob

Bob Terzuola was born in Brooklyn, New York and attended New York University. Upon graduation in 1967 he went to Panama as a Peace Corps trainer and later became a jade carver and gemologist in the Motagua River Valley, Guatemala. In 1979, Terzuola began making knives and joined the Knifemakers' Guild in 1981 on an endorsement from Bob Loveless. Terzuola's first knives were fixed blade designs made for soldiers in Guatemala. Later that year moved to New Mexico and began making folding knives. Seeing a need for a knife that could be carried discreetly, he developed a model featuring black micarta for the scales and bead-blasted titanium bolsters. Innovations in desgin for which he coined the term "Tactical Knife". Bob attends many of the largest and well known custom knife shows across the world. Bob Terzuola Knives are known for their trademark design and high quality workmanship. Terzuola's most popular model is the ATCF, a folding knife design. This was his first tactical folding knife, although he also makes it with non-tactical materials. Other knife models that Bob Terzuola is popular for are the 3A, TT-1, Model 7, Eagle Rock 514, TTF3A, Model 26, Starmate, TTF3B, Pathfinder, Century Starfighter, Starmate, Battle Guard, TTF6, Model 18 Combat Master, WEE T, and Battle Mate, just to name a few. Bob Terzuola also designed a very popular knife for Spyderco, the SLIPIT. The SPLIT is made of the finest non-locking tactical folders on the market. Bob Terzuola has authored a book about the design of tactical knives named, 'The Tactical Folding Knife.' When you hear people say that Bob Terzuola literally wrote the book on tactical folding knives, he really did! Many custom tactical knifemakers have his book in their shop, and highly value his opinions and designs. Bob Terzuola has also authored articles about tactical knives and knifemaking for Blade, Soldier of Fortune and other publications.

Foster, Kevin

Kevin Foster is a part time knife maker based in Los Angeles. Mentored by Tom Mayo, Lee Williams, and Ray Laconico, some of the most renowned knifemakers in the tactical knife world.

Pohl Force

Oldaker, Robert

Robert Oldaker is a knife industry veteran and knifemaker from Texas.

Munroe, D.C.

"MunroeKnives has been a full-time family operated business since the beginning of 1997. Based in Montana, the MunroeKnives team was founded on the principles of innovation, evolution, and performance. The main design and fabrication work is led by D.C. Munroe, with inspiration born in some of the wildest and most remote places in North America."

TAD Gear, Inc.

Whether on your toughest missions or in your everyday adventures, we know that exceptional quality and engineered functionality will help you succeed. We make gear and apparel for capable people. In the military, teams and equipment are deemed mission capable when they are ready to perform any operation within their scope. Wherever your missions take you, we know that you depend on our gear to help you achieve your objectives and get you home safely. We take that responsibility seriously. Engineers and machinists use 000 (triple aught) as shorthand for a thousandth of an inch, which has been the high standard of precision tolerance for over a century. Inspired by that ideal, we apply thorough design, high attention to detail, and strict tolerances to ensure our products meet your most rigorous needs.

T.A.D. Gear, Inc.

Whether on your toughest missions or in your everyday adventures, we know that exceptional quality and engineered functionality will help you succeed. We make gear and apparel for capable people. In the military, teams and equipment are deemed mission capable when they are ready to perform any operation within their scope. Wherever your missions take you, we know that you depend on our gear to help you achieve your objectives and get you home safely. We take that responsibility seriously. Engineers and machinists use 000 (triple aught) as shorthand for a thousandth of an inch, which has been the high standard of precision tolerance for over a century. Inspired by that ideal, we apply thorough design, high attention to detail, and strict tolerances to ensure our products meet your most rigorous needs.

VanderMeulen, Jeff

"Each blade is handmade by me in the USA using manual machines. I specialize in hard use tactical folders with the best materials I can get my hands on. My current blade steels are RWL-34, stainless steel Damascus, and San Mai. I use various materials that include Titanium, Carbon Fiber, Zirconium, MokuTi, Timascus."

Dervish Knives (John Gonzalez)

"My interest in knives and swords began in adolescence, but it wasn’t until the late 1990’s when I discovered my passion for custom knives. I was initially drawn to tactical pieces, but my approach to knife making is largely inspired via the myriad of elegant and lethal designs from diverse cultures and eras. Due to my background in graphic arts and illustration, designing knives has always been the easiest part of knife making for me. Aspiring to create aesthetically pleasing knives which excel in both form and function, I draw heavily on time-tested designs, geometries, and materials."

Simeon Custom Knives

"My name is Jamie Simeon. I grew up in rural Louisiana hunting, fishing and enjoying the outdoors. I began collecting custom knives in 1993 and have had a passion for knives as long as I can remember. My job in the pipeline industry has taken me all over the world and in and out of many great knifemakers shops. I have learned from some of the very best. In 2009 I began making my own folders in Tennessee. Each knife I create is made with these things in mind: Is this knife rugged and durable and is it a piece that can be treasured from father to son to grandson? Is this knife a piece that I would be proud to carry and show? Is this knife a piece that is built with the absolute best material available? Is this knife a truly custom piece that I am proud to put my name on?"

Cope, Ed

Ed Cope is a custom knife maker from Hawaii who learned to make knives from legendary craftsman Tom Mayo. Ed's style closely mimics his mentor's, as does his fit and finish, which is precisely what makes his knives so appealing.

Shiffer, Doc

"I started making knives in 2000. I have been lucky enough to have some good makers share their knowledge and experience with me. In the beginning Gary Ford, Dennis Phillips and Alex Daniels were a huge help. More recently Jerome Anders, Matt Lamey, Mel Pardue and Jim Burke have been kind enough to answer questions for me. I'm currently on the Board of Directors of the Gulf Coast Knife Makers Assn. I joined the Navy in 1987 as a Corpsman. Served the majority of my enlistment with the Marines at 2nd Division. Did a deployment to Africa and Operation Desert Storm. When I got out I went to Paramedic school and have been one since 1994. Have been a Tactical Medic for 3 different Sheriff Departments. Done some contracting in Afghanistan and am currently teaching Basic and Advanced Medical Skills as a contractor for the US Army. I also rejoined the reserves a couple of years ago and am working with 3rd Force Recon." Season 7 Episode 32 Forged in Fire Champion

Carey, Peter

"My name is Peter Carey and I've been making custom knives since 1997, specializing in Tactical Folders and Dress Tactical Folders, I also make Fixed Blade Tacticals, Hunters and Utility knives. Current blade steels are CPM154, S35VN, Stainless steel Damascus from various makers and Stellite 6K. I prefer high tech man made handle materials like Carbon Fiber, Titanium, Zirconium and G10. For Dress Tacticals I use Pearl, Mammoth Ivory, Exotic woods and MokuTi or Timascus. All my folders have custom pocket clips designed specifically for each model, also a custom pivot of my design, "The Original Carey Pivot". I make all my knives with my hands using manual machines in my shop from designs I've drawn by hand. I strive to make the best knife I possibly can with the best materials money can buy. Knives are one of man's oldest and most useful tools, I think everyone should own one or two!"

Gavko Knives

Michal Gavac, owner and operator of Gavko Knives is a custom knifemaker from Slovakia.

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.

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.