Toucan

Gedraitis, Chuck

"Ever since I can remember I have had a fascination with knives. My grandfather gave me my first pocketknife when I was 5, and it was that moment that did it. I started making knives by taking apart my mothers kitchen knives. My parents thought that there was something "wrong" with me because I had a fascination with sharp objects. That all changed when I took them to a local knife show and showed them a whole room of people interested in knives. I seriously began making knives when I was 16. I have been making knives for over 25 years. For the past 10 years I have mainly concentrated on making folding knives and automatics. I mainly concentrate on making one-of-a-kind folding knives of my own design, but I do occasionally make a few fixed blades. I specialize in unique file work patterns, and I also do simple carving and some of my own sheath work. For steels I mostly use Damascus, but also use 154CM, CPM154, D-2, 1095, W-2 and others. Handle materials include Exotic Woods, Stag, Pearl, and various types of Ivories including Elephant, Mammoth, and Walrus. As far as knife builds go, I think I am going to concentrate on building more elaborate autos as well as converting some of my older designs into autos. I appreciate the challenge of making an auto, and it keeps knife making exciting for me.”