Why Are There Regions of Knife Makers?

Mike Morehouse

Mike Morehouse

Joined
Jun 27, 2009
Messages
473
There seems to be groups of makers through the country: New England, Washington/Oregon, Arkansas, Texas, Alabama... Is there a history or culture or business that has concentrated knife making to these regions or am I just full of it.
 
What led me to knife making was my job. I work at a place that fabricates parts out of metal and was inspired when we made a couple of parts for an industrial knife company. Then when I looked for info on the internet I found all kinds of info being shared.

I had hopes that an event similar to the "Whiskey Rebellion" took place and concentrated the makers in certain areas.:(
 
Self sufficiency- Oklahoma is the land of the land rush and new territory. People that did not agree with what was going on in other areas or looking for an opportunity to better themselves. If you didn't have it you went and made it yourself and that is a basis that many in these areas went through.
 
Is there a history or culture or business that has concentrated knife making to these regions
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I think that here in Arkansas all three have played a role. We have Bowie History (not to mention Cowboy/ Civil War/ Native American history) which probably played a role in the ABS setting up a school here which has played a role in concentrating bladesmiths in our region. Also, in our region men tend to like hunting and fishing as well as guns and knives. And as far as business goes A.G. Russell set up shop in my corner of the state which has directly and indirectly drawn in or nurtured knifemakers in the area.
 
i can only give my Opinion but as a N.W Native i can tell ya for a fact all of these company's are in the N.W mostly around Portland ..
Benchmade ,Lone wolf,Gerber,Kershaw,Al Mar, Coast,Leatherman ,Columbia River Knife (CRK).. Sog is in Washington state ..im only talking about Production Factories here ..My Opinion is many "Maker's" from this area once worked in one of the "Factories" then went out on their own trying to make something " Better" that they could call their own .. Im Sure there are a Few like me who have Never worked at one of the Above places ,But Many Have ..Plus with all these "Factories" around Material's are easier to find . Again this is only My Opinion .:foot:
 
mrnewberry said:
I think that here in Arkansas all three have played a role. We have Bowie History (not to mention Cowboy/ Civil War/ Native American history) which probably played a role in the ABS setting up a school here which has played a role in concentrating bladesmiths in our region. Also, in our region men tend to like hunting and fishing as well as guns and knives. And as far as business goes A.G. Russell set up shop in my corner of the state which has directly and indirectly drawn in or nurtured knifemakers in the area.
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Allen,

I forgot that A.G. Russell started the Guild in that area.
 
argel55 said:
Self sufficiency- Oklahoma is the land of the land rush and new territory. People that did not agree with what was going on in other areas or looking for an opportunity to better themselves. If you didn't have it you went and made it yourself and that is a basis that many in these areas went through.
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:thumbup:
 
We had a hotbed of makerss in the Anchorage Alaska area but that might be due to the long winters an the lack of things to do unless you are a drunk.
 
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