I came to being a knifemaker later in life. In 1997, at age 56, I began doing this full-time, determined to focus my life on what matters most and what I enjoy, my family and making good knives. I've been making knives for almost 20 years, and doing so professionally for the last few. It's a very gratifying business, creating tools that are both functional and beautiful at the same time, creations that are meant to last for the life of the owner and beyond. I really can't think of many things more satisfying than watching pleasure on the face of someone who just bought one of my knives, smiling as he holds it in his hands. The feeling is especially grand when I know he already owns several knives from some really good makers.

For most of my life I've been in Sales, Marketing and General Management in the biomedical industry. I began there as a shipping clerk, rising to become an officer of a couple different corporations and helped found a company here in Georgia. I also hold 6 patents, including one on the only 10-minute AIDS test used in the U.S. today, but that was in another life. It was one I left reluctantly, but am glad today that I did.

I now have a new family, which would never had happened in that other life. I have a lovely young wife, Carole, who wouldn't have married the other me, and I have 4 great sons. My youngest, Alex, was born just a couple years ago, the day before my eldest son's (Mike) 32nd birthday. Andrew is now 30, and Matthew is 4. They're all bright, talented, handsome and greatly loved by their dad. (I guess now I'm going to have to change this web page frequently; they seem to have birthdays all the time.

I doubt anyone gets rich making knives, at least not in the monetary sense. Fortunately, my wife has a pretty good job, and this is certainly a very rewarding profession spiritually. There is tremendous satisfaction in making a good knife. It is a forever thing. Also, knifemakers as a group are among the nicest people I've ever known. They unstintingly share their knowledge of the craft, and don't hesitate to encourage you in those times when you're having a slow show or business is a little slack. Almost everything I know about this business I learned from another knifemaker. It is a legacy I enjoy sharing with others who aspire to the same goals.

Indeed, I'm often amazed at knife shows by how often I'm asked about how I did something on one of my knives, the question usually followed by a sheepish admission that they too are trying to make knives. I remember my own humility and sheepishness when I asked some of these same questions of other knifemakers in years past. Hell, I still ask questions at every show. I find it very gratifying to be asked, though, and one of the most pleasant experiences I've had in this career was some time ago, when a young fellow I'd spoken with at a show phoned to thank me for my advice and tell me it had helped advance his knifemaking skills, enabling him to do some things he'd hadn't been able to before. Gee, that felt good.

So if you're an aspiring knifemaker and have questions, feel free to send me an e-mail or call. If I don't have the answer I'm sure I can give you the name of another knifemaker who does. And I wish you success.

Life is good, and since you've read this far I hope we one day have a chance to meet.