Meeting Ramon Chaves feels like encountering a legend who doesn't realize his own status in the knife world. His journey from making fixed blades in a tiny 600-square-foot garage without power (using an extension cord from his house) to running a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility is nothing short of remarkable.

Ramon's path to knife-making success began with a childhood knife from Knott's Berry Farm and the discovery of a blade made by an uncle he never met. What truly set his career trajectory apart was his ingenious marketing approach. Rather than slowly building a reputation over decades, Ramon identified ten influential YouTube personalities, provided them with knives at a discount, coordinated their reviews, and opened orders on a specific date. The result? Business went crazy. 

The podcast reveals fascinating details of Ramon's design philosophy and business strategy. His signature Redencion model (Spanish for "redemption") has become instantly recognizable with its clean lines and iconic skull pocket clip. To make his designs accessible to more enthusiasts, Ramon offers various series at different price points—blue label for entry-level, red boxes for standard production, and black boxes for exclusive direct-sale models. Recently, he's transitioned many models to integral construction, machining the handle from a single piece of titanium rather than using separate scales, significantly increasing manufacturing difficulty but enhancing quality.

Perhaps most exciting is Ramon's latest innovation—moving his entire operation from New Mexico to Utah specifically to manufacture Out-The-Front automatic knives legally. His Chub OTF utility knife demonstrates his creativity, and a teaser of his upcoming full-sized OTF models with multiple blade options suggests Ramon isn't slowing down anytime soon. His blend of craftsmanship, marketing savvy, and genuine passion continues to captivate knife enthusiasts and collectors worldwide.

Guest Ramon Chaves
Webpage: https://chavesknives.com/


Mr. Knife Guy webpage: https://mrknifeguy.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/mr.knifeguy...

#knifelife #podcast #southernutah #knifemanufacturer #stgeorgeutah #interview 

[00:00:00] Intro.
[00:02:37] Meeting Ramon Chaves.
[00:10:21] Early Knife-Making Days.
[00:14:53] Signature Redencion Knives.
[00:21:08] Distinctive Features and Knife Series.
[00:28:10] Moving to Utah and OTF Development.
[00:32:31] The Integral Revolution.
[00:36:50] Future Plans and Collaborations.

From the battlefield to the backwoods: a candid deep dive with former Marine Blake Norton on the knives that individuals trust with their lives. Blake brings a refreshing authenticity to this conversation, drawing from his infantry experience to explain what makes a combat knife truly effective – and it's rarely what civilians expect.

The journey begins with the iconic Ka-Bar, a piece of American military history that Blake describes as "the 1911 of knives." His knowledge of this legendary tool reveals why its design has endured through decades of warfare. But as Blake explains, modern combat has evolved, and so have the blades that accompany warriors into harm's way. The weight of full tactical gear (often exceeding 300 pounds on today's soldiers) has driven innovation toward more compact, ergonomic designs that integrate seamlessly with MOLLE systems and body armor.

Without glorification, Blake explains the grim practicality behind features like serrated edges and specific grip designs. "The rules of knife fighting?" he asks rhetorically. "You're gonna get cut." This no-nonsense perspective provides rare insight into training shapes blade selection and carrying methods. Also discussed is Blake's philosophy on gear in general. The balance between quality and practicality extends to his recommendations for bushcraft tools and everyday carry items, including multi-function tactical lights with red-light capabilities.

Whether you're a knife enthusiast, outdoor adventurer, or tactical gear collector, this episode offers authentic wisdom from someone who's trusted blades in scenarios where failure wasn't an option. Blake's experience-based insights cut through marketing hype to reveal what actually matters when your life might depend on the tool in your hand.

Guest: Blake Norton

Mr. Knife Guy webpage: https://mrknifeguy.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/mr.knifeguy/?hl=en

#knifelife #knifelovers #knifecommunity #southernutah #stgeorgeutah #podcastclips #combatknife 

[00:00:00] Intro.
[00:00:35] Introduction to Blake Norton.
[00:06:35] The Iconic Ka-Bar Combat Knife.
[00:16:01] Combat Knife Design & Functionality. 
[00:27:15] Modern Combat Knife Evolution.
[00:37:40] MOLLE Systems & Tactical Gear.
[00:50:12] Historical Combat Knives.
[01:04:50] Bushcraft & Survival Tools.
[01:19:22] EDC Considerations & Lighting Options.
[01:40:24] Challenge Coins & Knife Community

Ever wonder how a number-crunching accountant ended up slinging some of the best pizza in Southern Utah? 🍕 Meet Chris Tamplin, the mastermind behind St. George's Sandtown Pizza! From playing around in the kitchen at age 10 to turning an old Chinese restaurant on Bluff Street into the hottest pizza spot in town, Chris's story is wild. In this episode, we geek out over Chris's journey from backyard pizza parties to running one of the most loved restaurants in St. George. Trust me, you'll love hearing how this former accountant switched from spreadsheets to sauce-making! We dive deep into the knife nerd stuff too - Chris shows us his incredible Japanese knife collection and breaks down why he ditched German blades. Whether you're a home cook or a pro chef, you'll pick up some serious knife knowledge. But here's the best part - Chris spills all the details about how Backdoor Pizzeria grew from a popup in his backyard into Sandtown Pizza. The "Pizza Camp" inspiration, the local ingredients that make his pies special, and all the crazy stories from cooking at Camp Gozney... it's all here!

Find Santown Pizza here:
https://www.sandtownpizza.com/

Find Mr Knifeguy here:
https://mrknifeguy.com/

#StGeorgeUtah #SandtownPizza #ChefLife #PizzaMaker #UtahFoodie #SouthernUtah #KnifeLife #ChefKnives #LocalBusiness #PizzaLover #UtahPizza #SmallBusiness

Taylor Wade shares his journey from hobbyist to knife maker, discussing the challenges of balancing family life with his passion for EDC. He reflects on his creative process, community support, and the experiences that shape his designs.

• Taylor's introduction to knife making during the pandemic
• Importance of family support in pursuit of passion
• Unique materials and designs used in knife making
• Inspirations drawn from nature and personal experiences
• Challenges of balancing a full-time job while crafting
• Community connections and peer encouragement in EDC
• Future goals including collaborations and new designs

[00:00:00] Intro and welcome.
[00:13:21] Knife Maker Discusses Designs and Materials.
[00:27:44] Knife Designer's Journey and Family Support.
[00:39:17] Transition to Full-Sized Knives.

This episode unveils the inspiring journey of Stockton Jones, an emerging knife maker behind Knotty Knives, exploring his creative processes and the challenges of his craft. With a focus on materials, design, and community, Stockton shares valuable insights into the knife-making world.

• Stockton's beginnings and the influence of family
• The creative process behind Knotty Knives
• Importance of mastering techniques for quality craftsmanship
• Choice of materials and their impact on knife durability
• Trends in the knife market and the rise of EDC knives
• Support and mentorship within the knife-making community
• Future plans for Naughty Knives and new product introduction

Find Mr. Knifeguy here:
https://mrknifeguy.com/

Find Knotty Knives here:
https://www.instagram.com/knotty_knives/?igsh=MXJsdWtoMWFjemp6MQ%3D%3D#

[00:00:00] Intro and welcome.
[00:10:34] Knife Making and Personal Stories.
[00:16:41] Knife Making Obsession and Innovations.
[00:23:12] Knife Making Community and Progression.

On the very first episode of the Mr. KnifeGuy Podcast, host Brent Averett discusses the in depth world of the knife industry with Ben Petersen of Knafs. 

This episode explores the intersections of creativity and constraints in the knife industry with Ben Peterson, a notable knifemaker and entrepreneur. We discuss the future of knifemaking, the importance of storytelling behind design, and the evolving dynamics of consumer behavior in a competitive marketplace.

• The role of constraints in enhancing creativity
• Ben's journey in the knife industry and its evolution
• The significance of storytelling and personal connections in knife design
• Community building within the knife enthusiast circle
• The impact of direct-to-consumer brands on the marketplace
• Ethical considerations on global production choices and consumer perspectives.

Find Mr. KnifeGuy here:
https://mrknifeguy.com/

Find Knafs here:
https://www.knafs.com/

[00:00:00] Intro and welcome.
[00:04:01] Knife Industry Entrepreneur Background and Growth.
[00:13:26] Brand Development and Knife Design.
[00:24:31] Knife Design and Kickstarter Success.
[00:33:15] Navigating the Knife Industry's Dynamic Future.
[00:47:02] The Global Impact of Knife Purchases.
[00:55:07] Thanksgiving Interview With Knife Entrepreneur.