Upswept Skinner

Larsen, Ray

My childhood began, down a dirt lane, in the small rural town of Lehi, Utah in a converted 3 room chicken coop with an outhouse in March, 1945. Dad worked at the US Steel plant on rotating shifts. Mom had the daunting challenge of raising 6 rambunctious kids of her own plus 2 of my dear cousins. Knife making has always been a passion and part of my life. I made my first knife at about 8 years old, with the help of my dad?s best friend, who we called Uncle Everett. It was made from a broken, rusted leaf spring I found and some cherry wood pruned from our next door neighbor?s orchard. I shaped and sharpened it on an old, foot powered, grinding wheel. It was crude but I carried that knife for many years during childhood. After that I was hooked. I started reading everything available on metals and knife making techniques and started making all types of knives, at first on my porch, hand cutting and sanding each piece. Later an artist friend and I shared many moments in his make shift knife shop. I subscribe to several publications and attend the International Knife Maker Guild shows and Blade shows whenever they are within driving distance to keep up with new techniques in the industry. I also made friends with other makers and shared ?trade secrets? with them. Mostly it was just for fun and enjoyment. I made many knives for friends and family and just gave them away until the cost got too great. I am now a retired Architectural Designer and can follow my dream of making quality knives for a reasonable price so that other knife lovers can enjoy a treasure of their own.