I got the opportunity to talk to ABS Mastersmith & Bowie fanatic, Lin Rhea (Ray) about everything from knife philosophy, to Bowie knife history, and a ton more. Lin is a fantastic teacher, mentor, and historical blacksmith, promoting traditional knifemaking and emboldening the knifemaking industry to reach deeper into themselves to produce their art. 

• We talk Lin's surname, and his Scottish heritage
• Lin talks about his early beginnings, and his introduction into knives and knife making
• He talks about taking his first knifemaking class in 2002
• Lin talks about his love for traditional tools and the art of historic blacksmithing, and the history of the Bowie knife
• He also talks about the focus of knife projects, a maker being a necessary part of the art, and elevating their work
• We talk about the butterfly effect of innovation, including resurgence of Damascus/Pattern welded steel
• We also talk about knife design, layout, proportion, and so on
• Lin talks about his X-Rhea knife, and the principals of design and material movement that makes the design challenging
• Lin talks about his and a small group of knife enthusiest and makers effort around bowie history, and James Black knife identification
• A duck joins the podcast
• He also talks about the Historic Arkansas Museum's grand reopening of their Knife Gallery
• We also talk about Lin being awarded the Arkansas Living Treasure award for 2023

You can find Lin online and at shows. His work can be found on his Website, on Instagram, and Facebook.

Text me your feedback, suggestions or recommendations!

Aaron Lawvere: Website, Instagram
Podcast: Instagram

In this Micro Podcast episode, I talk about vintage micarta, the "Westinghouse Craze" and fads associated with micarta, as well as the general market, and egregious prices you'll see. 

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Aaron Lawvere: Website, Instagram
Podcast: Instagram

In this Micro Podcast episode, I talk about the time investment component of making knives, and try to help you understand that if the work is worth it, spend the time it take to do a job well.

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Aaron Lawvere: Website, Instagram
Podcast: Instagram

I got to steal some time (but not his hat) and talk with award winning slipjoint maker,  whiskey aficionado, Yukon Cornelius look-alike, the marvelous and debonair - Luke Swenson, to talk about life, knives, shows, and a ton more. 

• Luke talks about growing up in South Texas, and his earliest memories of knives
• He talks about his stint in the Navy, firefighting, and a little about his family
• Luke also talks about his prostate cancer diagnosis, remission, relapse, and retirement, that sprung him into making knives
• Luke talks about his shift from fixed blades to slipjoints after meeting Bill Ruple
• We talk about information sharing, Luke's admiration of other knifemakers, and some experiences of Tony Bose
• We talk some about slipjoint popularity, show attention, and handmade vs. CNC
• We talk Luke winning Best Slipjoint at Bladeshow, his other awards, and talk about award judging
• We talk also talk about selling at shows, dealer relationships, perception vs. reality, knife prices, and so much more!

You can find Luke's work on his Facebook group, Instagram, and at select dealer sites. 

Text me your feedback, suggestions or recommendations!

Aaron Lawvere: Website, Instagram
Podcast: Instagram

In this Micro Podcast episode, Aaron talks about show circuits, online relationship building, and the work it takes to build culture around your work. 

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Aaron Lawvere: Website, Instagram
Podcast: Instagram

In this Micro Podcast episode, Aaron talks about about some of the ways makers sell their work, the investment that goes into producing it, and how important the collector/customer feedback loop is to encourage makers.

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Aaron Lawvere: Website, Instagram
Podcast: Instagram

Aaron got the opportunity to talk to a great collector in the pocket knife community: David Nemerson. Dave's representation of his collection can be found on his instagram and Facebook profiles Every Dave Carry, and his commentary and support of premier makers can be seen also on several Facebook groups. We got to sit down, and talk about collecting in the current pocket knife, especially the slipjoint market. 

• Dave introduces himself, and what got him into knife collecting
• We talk a little about material choices along with patterns in choosing to collect particular pocket knives
• We discuss the maker market for slipjoints, transitioning from fixed blades and some overarching market observations
• We talk about maker impressions of collectors, sub-categories of collectors, and competition
• Dave gives some areas of focus for him on a given knife, and what he likes in build execution
• We also talk about the value to cost ratio in knife collecting, the symbiosis of makers and collectors, equity in knives, observing and supporting makers' work, and much more!

You can find Dave's contribution towards the collecting and maker market on his Every Dave Carry Instagram and Facebook profiles, 

Text me your feedback, suggestions or recommendations!

Aaron Lawvere: Website, Instagram
Podcast: Instagram

In this Micro Podcast episode, Aaron talks about knifemaking videos, selecting the appropriate online video for your needs including Chris Crawford, Kyle Royer, and Jason Knight, and the value gained by doing video learning.

Some top makers' pages for knifemaking videos: Chris Crawford, Kyle Royer, Jason Knight.

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Aaron Lawvere: Website, Instagram
Podcast: Instagram

In this Micro Podcast episode, Aaron talks about Good Cause Raffles or GRCs, what they are, how they work, and some thoughts around an appropriate scenario where starting one for the benefit of another is called for. 

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Aaron Lawvere: Website, Instagram
Podcast: Instagram

Aaron had a chance to talk to up and coming knifemaker, mentored by Tony Marfione, and Edison Barajas & Sebastian Berenji - Jake McCoy of McCoy Bladeworks. 

• We talk about Jake's early exposure to knives as a 12 year old at Blade Show Atlanta
• Jake mentions his relationship with Marfione family, and his apprenticeship at Microtech Knives
• He also talks moving to Miami, meeting his wife, working with Edison Barajas, and moving back to GA
• We talk social media and Teagan running his community
• We talk about Jake's friendship with Ramon Chavez of Chavez Knife and Tools, hanging out at shows, and his parent's support of his knife passion
• We talk knife sales, learning curve of pocket knives, his knife design, great grandfather's knifemaking, and much more!

You can find Jake's work on his Facebook group, and Instagram

Text me your feedback, suggestions or recommendations!

Aaron Lawvere: Website, Instagram
Podcast: Instagram