My family is the driving force behind my work. Having my wife, Barbara, and two kids pushing me to succeed within my art form has truly impacted my work! Barbara is a high school art teacher. She is the glue that holds our family together. She graduated from Oklahoma State with a degree in studio art and a Masters in education. She is a National Board Certified teacher and is remarkable! McKenzie, my oldest daughter, is currently attending Oklahoma State as a forth-generation OSU student. She is majoring in Biology in the pursuit of a medical degree! Ryen, my youngest daughter, is in high school. She is an incredible runner! She is on her school's track as well as the cross country team. She would like to pursue running while in college! |
I was born and raised in Oklahoma where I attended college and graduated in 1995 with a degree in Wildlife Conservation. I've been making straight knives since childhood, but I've been selling them since 1997. In 2006, I was invited to become a Guild Member. My first slip-joint sell was in 2007.
I have been hunting and fishing from a very young age and understand the needs of the outdoorsman. Hunting and fishing has allowed me to visit 7 countries within 2 continents. With this experience, I've learned the importance of a proper tool. I want to build a knife that is well-constructed and durable that gets the job done. I pride myself in being a fine craftsman. I focus on making fixed blades that match the contours of your hand, blades that hav thin cutting edges and are an easy tool to use. I like the looks of a knife that has no square edges and that is finely finished. You will find this to be true of both my fixed and slip-joint knives. I enjoy selecting the finest raw materials. Handle materials include pearl, ivory, bone, micarta and stabilized woods. Blades are made of 154-CM or D-2 steel. All are cryo treated to extend the life of the blade and the cutting edge. My sheaths are custom designed and crafted by Larry Parsons. I only make a limited number of knives each year and I hope you can select a knife that meets your needs.
I need to acknowledge and thank all those who have helped get me where I am today including: George Englebretson, Bill Kennedy, Dan Burke, Gerald Nichols, Jerry McClure, John Lloyd. Tony Bose, Gary Crowder, Todd Davison, Reece Bose, Mike Miller and Barbara Menefee.
Click here to read the Article on Rick taken from the October, 2011 issue of KNIFE WORLD (www.knifeworld.com) presented here with the express permission of the publisher.
I have been hunting and fishing from a very young age and understand the needs of the outdoorsman. Hunting and fishing has allowed me to visit 7 countries within 2 continents. With this experience, I've learned the importance of a proper tool. I want to build a knife that is well-constructed and durable that gets the job done. I pride myself in being a fine craftsman. I focus on making fixed blades that match the contours of your hand, blades that hav thin cutting edges and are an easy tool to use. I like the looks of a knife that has no square edges and that is finely finished. You will find this to be true of both my fixed and slip-joint knives. I enjoy selecting the finest raw materials. Handle materials include pearl, ivory, bone, micarta and stabilized woods. Blades are made of 154-CM or D-2 steel. All are cryo treated to extend the life of the blade and the cutting edge. My sheaths are custom designed and crafted by Larry Parsons. I only make a limited number of knives each year and I hope you can select a knife that meets your needs.
I need to acknowledge and thank all those who have helped get me where I am today including: George Englebretson, Bill Kennedy, Dan Burke, Gerald Nichols, Jerry McClure, John Lloyd. Tony Bose, Gary Crowder, Todd Davison, Reece Bose, Mike Miller and Barbara Menefee.
Click here to read the Article on Rick taken from the October, 2011 issue of KNIFE WORLD (www.knifeworld.com) presented here with the express permission of the publisher.