Oregon Hunter

Buchanan, Zac

"I was born in Eugene, OR in 1984. My dad, Thad Buchanan, has made knives for as long as I can remember. As a kid I liked to help in the shop every now and again. Growing up I spent time around Bill Harsey, Bob Lum, Ron Lake and their families. I never realized that they were world renowned knife makers; they were just my Dad's friends. But looking back on it, it was pretty cool. These days I wish I would have paid more attention. In 2008 my Dad asked if I wanted to move to Oregon and learn to make knives with him. After working in the restaurant industry I was happy to do something more interesting. Sheath making was one of the first things my dad taught me when I started working in the shop with him. From there I started working with a local saddle maker to better understand the art of leather craft. I make all the leather sheaths for my knives as well as my fathers. I have made sheaths for other makers and collectors as well. I attended my first knife show in April 2011, - the OKCA show in Eugene Oregon. It was that same show where I won my first award for knife making. I won best hunter/utility knife of show. In 2012 I started my own shop back home in Eugene. I love to make R.W. Loveless style knives, but I've made several of my own designs too. I usually put a high mirror polish on my fixed blades and the face of my guards and a nice satin finish on the handle bolts and the sides of the guard. I've used a variety of handle materials including Sambar Stag, Genuine Elephant Ivory, Mammoth Ivory, Mammoth Tooth, Cape Buffalo and many more. I've designed a few folding knife patterns as well. Working with my dad has been an awesome experience and a blessing. I've learned so much in such a short time it's hard for me to believe. I enjoy knife making so much I know I'll do it for as long as I'm capable."