Victor Anselmo

Victor Anselmo (1945–2016), a master knifemaker from California, was a trailblazer in the American custom knife movement. Beginning his craft in 1957 at Washington Irving Junior High School, he became a full-time knifemaker by 1966. Renowned for modernizing the balisong with his innovative solid-handle channel-style design, Anselmo’s work earned Blade Magazine’s Award of the Year for Bali-Song U.S.A. in 1979. His most iconic creation, the Beastmaster Sword, crafted in 1982, became a cultural landmark.

Working alongside mentors like John Nelson Cooper, Anselmo’s knives blended traditional aesthetics with a distinctive, functional flair. His balisongs and sheath knives, marked by precision and durability, remain collector’s treasures. A vibrant figure at knife shows, Anselmo’s legacy endures through his designs and writings, including My Lives with Butterfly Knives, cementing his role as the godfather of the American balisong.

Heinrich Böker

Founded in 1869 in Solingen, Germany, Böker (Heinrich Böker & Co.) emerged as a cornerstone of fine knifemaking during the industrial era. Renowned for their precision and craftsmanship, Böker knives became symbols of quality, blending traditional techniques with innovative design. From the late 19th century, their folding and fixed-blade knives, including the iconic Tree Brand, gained acclaim for their balance, durability, and elegant aesthetics.

Böker’s commitment to excellence is evident in their meticulous attention to detail, from hand-finished blades to smooth, reliable mechanisms. As a leading name in the global knife industry, Böker joined the Knifemakers’ Guild in its early years, contributing to the modern custom knife movement. Today, a Böker knife reflects a heritage of over 150 years, embodying timeless craftsmanship and enduring functionality.

Ralph Bone

Ralph Bone (1920–1998), a master craftsman from Lubbock, Texas, was a pivotal figure in the modern custom knife movement. Beginning his career in the 1960s, Bone dedicated himself to creating knives that blended artistry with unmatched functionality. His iconic hunting and folding knives, known for their clean lines and flawless execution, set industry standards.

Bone’s work is celebrated for the “Bone touch”—a signature smoothness in mechanics and exceptional reliability. As an early member of the Knifemakers’ Guild, founded in 1970, he helped shape the custom knife community. His scarce, handcrafted knives remain highly sought after, embodying a legacy of dedication and excellence in knifemaking.

Roderick “Caribou” Chappel: Master of Davis Custom Knives

Roderick “Caribou” Chappel (1936–2017), a visionary bladesmith of Spanish and Native American descent, was a cornerstone of the custom knifemaking world. Based primarily in Washington state, Chappel began crafting knives in 1970, founding Davis Custom Knives in Spokane, named after his grandfather, Roderick Davis. Mentored by legends like Gil Hibben, Harvey Draper, and Bill Moran, he started in his grandfather’s boat shop, transitioning from engineering to full-time knifemaking by 1973.

Chappel’s knives, including models like the Hunting Leopard Combat Bowie and Coeur D’Alene Fish Knife, are renowned for their sweeping grinds, ergonomic handles, and mirror-polished 440C or 154CM steel. His Alaskan Native heritage allowed legal use of rare materials like walrus ivory, adding distinction to his work. Known for artistic designs and functional perfection, his blades, from bowies to daggers, bear a flamboyant yet practical style. Despite controversies over business practices, Chappel’s influence endures through his collectible, one-of-a-kind creations.

Gerber Legendary Blades

Founded in 1939 by Joseph R. Gerber in Portland, Oregon, Gerber Legendary Blades transformed from a small batch of handmade kitchen knives into a global leader in outdoor and tactical gear. Initially crafted by local knifemaker David Murphy, Gerber’s first knives gained fame when Abercrombie & Fitch ordered them for their 1939 catalog. By 1947, the company launched its first hunting knife, the AF Hunter, marking its pivot to sport and tactical blades.

Renowned for innovation, Gerber introduced the revolutionary LST (Light, Smooth, Tough) pocketknife in 1981, designed by Blackie Collins, setting the standard for ultralight folding knives. Their Gator series, with its iconic alligator-skin-textured grip, became a bestseller. Collaborations with designers like Bob Loveless, Ernest Emerson, and Bear Grylls (2010) solidified Gerber’s reputation for durability and versatility. Acquired by Fiskars in 1987, Gerber remains a top supplier of knives and multitools to the U.S. military, with over 139 American-made products crafted in their Tigard, Oregon, factory, embodying a legacy of precision and rugged reliability.

Gil Hibben

A renowned American knife maker known for his distinctive designs and high-quality craftsmanship. He turned professional in the 1960s and is famous for his collaborations with the “Rambo” movie franchise, designing iconic knives like the Rambo III and IV Heartstopper. Beyond “Rambo,” Hibben produces a wide range of knives, from hunting and Bowie styles to fantasy pieces. His work features dramatic lines and focuses on both aesthetics and functionality. 

Jody Samson

Jody Samson (November 4, 1946–December 27, 2008), a master bladesmith from Burbank, California, was a titan in custom knifemaking and swordcraft. Starting in 1969 under mentor John Nelson Cooper, Samson went full-time in 1974, designing iconic balisong knives for Pacific Cutlery (later Benchmade). His 1979 design won Blade magazine’s Knife of the Year, followed by the influential “Wee-hawk” blade in 1980. From 1979 to 1994, he hand-ground every custom balisong for Benchmade.

Samson’s fame soared with his fantasy-inspired swords for films like Conan the Barbarian (1982), Conan the Destroyer (1984), The Mask of Zorro (1998), and Blade (1998). His Atlantean and Father’s Sword from Conan are among the most iconic movie blades, blending sculptural grandeur with functionality. In 1994, he joined Tony Swatton’s Sword & Stone, crafting weapons for First Knight and Batman films. In 2001, he moved to New Glarus, Wisconsin, working with Albion Swords to recreate his Conan designs. Known for meticulous detail and creative flair, Samson’s workshop, dubbed “The Far Side,” was a haven of steel dust and cigar smoke. His swords, often priced at $2,775, remain collector’s treasures, embodying a legacy of unmatched artistry.

Shaw-Leibowitz

Shaw-Leibowitz, formed in the early 1970s by Sherrill Rae Shaw (1937–2015) and Leonard Leibowitz in New York City and New Manchester, West Virginia, was a celebrated partnership renowned for intricate knife etchings and metal castings. Sherrill, a talented painter born in East Liverpool, Ohio, trained in Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Spain before meeting Leonard, a fellow artist, in New York. Their collaboration began around 1974, focusing on custom knives with detailed engravings and gold-plated embellishments.

Their most famous work, the Shaw-Leibowitz Special (1978–1979), also known as the Lewis and Clark Commemorative, featured 144 Randall-made bowie knives etched with a scene of the 1804–1806 expedition, showcasing Lewis, Clark, and Sacagawea. These knives, with rosewood handles and nickel-silver guards, became collector’s treasures, often commanding high prices. They also produced limited-edition sets for Schrade, Gerber, and others, including the 1979 “First Man on the Moon” fixed blade. Active until the early 1980s, Shaw-Leibowitz’s legacy endures through their ornate, historically themed knives, blending artistry with precision craftsmanship.

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