Harpy - 2016 Solvang

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.