Michael grew up in rural Southern Missouri were carrying a knife everyday was the natural way of things. He built his first blades in his father’s workshop when he was about 12. After high school, he joined the United States Marine Corps as a reservist and started working as an editor and writer for the Internet department of an outdoor retail company. Around 2002, the bug to build knives hit hard. Michael has been a full-time maker since 2007.

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Michael builds blades that are both functional and beautiful, specializing in folders. Being a collector and user of knives, whether it’s to cut open mail or dress a deer his blades are built to be used. Michael uses mostly 1095, Chad Nichols’ stainless Damascus or the Damascus he makes himself usually with friend and fellow knife maker Jody Muller.