In this episode of Hustle Northwest, Carrie introduces a very special guest — her dad, Leon Adams — a knife maker with a passion for giving back. Since 2009, Leon has handcrafted over 115 custom knives, not for profit, but to help Oregon schools and communities, raising close to $200,000 through auctions.

We talk about:

• The first time he made a knife… and how it “wasn’t ugly, just rustic.”
• How a school auction changed everything.
• The insane story of a couple bidding against each other on the same knife.
• What it takes (and how long it takes) to make one of his knives.
• The dangers of knife-making (yep, it gets a little bloody).
• Why he refuses to sell his knives — and how they’ve become trophies for school auctions across the country.

From making knives with a Maytag motor to handcrafting one-of-a-kind blades from giraffe bone and elk antler, this episode is all heart. Leon shows us what happens when your passion becomes purpose.

👋 Know a school or fundraiser that might benefit from Leon’s work? You can reach him directly at [email protected] or give him a call at (503) 551-3913.