LeBlanc, Gary

"Prior to retiring in 2000 from the Minnesota Army National Guard as a Brigadier General, I had started making "kit knives". After retiring I graduated to grinding and heat treating my own blades. I now do everything from original blade design through making my own leather sheaths. My primary areas of interest are fixed blade hunting and fishing knives along with my original Air Assault Knife. I am primarily self-taught, with heavy reliance on some of the great books available and the mentorship of members of the Knifemakers Guild, of which I am a 2006 voting member. I use various steels, either flat or hollow grind and primarily use natural handle materials, or Micarta if the knife is going to be put to hard use and extreme conditions. To the best of my knowledge I am the only retired military flag officer making handmade knives."