The Knife Junkie Podcast

In Episode 635 of The Knife Junkie Podcast, host Bob DeMarco talks with Jeff Schafer of Schafer Knives, an American Bladesmith Society Apprentice whose combat-ready custom knives have caught the attention of martial artists and collectors across the country.

Schafer combines decades of martial arts training in Tang Soo Do, Bujinkan, Escrima, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with traditional bladesmithing skills to create knives that actually work. From massive Bowie choppers with sharpened clips to everyday carry fixed blades, his designs focus on balance, performance, and classic American knife profiles.

In this conversation, Schafer shares how a small family knife sparked his lifelong interest in blades, why he decided to build a shop and teach himself bladesmithing, and what it takes to pursue American Bladesmith Society certification. He discusses his design philosophy, steel choices, heat treatment methods, and how his martial arts background influences every knife he makes.

Schafer gained wider recognition when knife enthusiast Rolando Estocada featured one of his massive choppers on his channel after Blade Show 2025. Made with a convex edge and careful attention to distal taper, the knife demonstrates how Schafer balances size with maneuverability.

Whether you are interested in fighting knives, classic Bowies, or everyday carry fixed blades, this episode offers insight into a maker who understands how knives move in the hand and perform under pressure. Schafer also discusses his plans for his ABS journeyman test, his favorite handle materials, like a crown stag, and why he does his own leatherwork for custom sheaths.

Find Jeff Schafer online at Instagram @schaferjeff, on Facebook at Schafer Knives, and at www.schaferknives.com. For show notes and additional resources, visit theknifejunkie.com/635.

Be sure to support The Knife Junkie and get in on the perks of being a patron, including early access to the podcast and exclusive bonus content. Visit https://www.theknifejunkie.com/patreon for details. You can also support The Knife Junkie channel with your next knife purchase.

Find our affiliate links at https://theknifejunkie.com/knives. Let us know what you thought about this episode, and leave a rating and/or a review. Your feedback is appreciated.

You can also email theknifejunkie@gmail.com with any comments, feedback, or suggestions. To watch or listen to past episodes of the podcast, visit https://theknifejunkie.com/listen. And for professional podcast hosting, use our podcast platform of choice: https://theknifejunkie.com/podhost.

Join host Bob DeMarco for Episode 634 of The Knife Junkie Podcast as he explores the world of ESKs, or Emotional Support Knives. These are the big, bold blades that make collectors feel confident and capable, even if they never get used for everyday tasks.

Bob starts with his weekly Pocket Check, featuring the Piratech Tsunami, JWK Midnight Jack, Fisher Blades McNasty, and Cold Steel Espada XL. Knife Life News covers three exciting releases: the robust KA-BAR Mark 25 folder, the sleek Benchmade Successor slipjoint, and the return of the Kopis Designs L-Via with new variations.

In the First Tool segment, Bob shares how the iconic Buck 110 Folding Hunter started his knife-collecting journey. State of the Collection highlights the Ontario Knife SP-10, a backyard bruiser built for serious survival tasks.

The main event counts down the top 10 most carried ESKs in his collection, including fighting bowies, tactical daggers, and war knives from makers like Hogtooth, Cold Steel, Station IX, TKell Knives, CRKT, TOPS, KA-BAR, Spartan Blades, and Work Tuff Gear. Bob explains what makes each knife special and why these impressive blades earn their place in any serious collection.

Whether you carry a big knife for confidence or just appreciate the craftsmanship of large blades, this episode celebrates the knives that make us feel ready for anything. Bob brings his usual knowledge, passion, and humor to a topic that resonates with collectors everywhere.

Find the list of all the knives shown in the show and links to the Knife Life news stories at https://theknifejunkie.com/634.

Support the Knife Junkie channel with your next knife purchase. Find our affiliate links at https://theknifejunkie.com/knives. You can also support The Knife Junkie and get in on the perks of being a patron, including early access to the podcast and exclusive bonus content. Visit https://www.theknifejunkie.com/patreon for details.

Let us know what you thought about this episode and leave a rating and/or a review. Your feedback is appreciated. You can also email theknifejunkie@gmail.com with any comments, feedback, or suggestions.

To watch or listen to past episodes of the podcast, visit https://theknifejunkie.com/listen. And for professional podcast hosting, use our podcast platform of choice: https://theknifejunkie.com/podhost.

Ben Belkin of Jack Wolf Knives returns to The Knife Junkie Podcast to discuss the remarkable growth and diversification of his knife company. Host Bob DeMarco explores how Jack Wolf evolved from a premium slip joint maker into a multi-line brand with offerings at every price point.

Ben shares the good, better, best product strategy that guides his business, from the entry-level Gateway series with pin construction and steel bolsters to the flagship slip joints made of titanium that built the brand. The conversation covers the exciting JW Kollab line of modern folders designed with talented young makers like Nick Rogers, Chris Ortiz, and Jacob Ginsburg, which serves as an innovation lab for testing new features and construction methods.

Learn about the USA-made Prickly Pear project, manufactured by Misfits Machining, and the collaboration with LT Wright Knives that produced handmade Vampire Hunter fixed blades.

Ben discusses the challenges of planning products two years in advance, the evolution of Jack Wolf's Blade Show presence from an eight-foot table to a 20-foot booth, and why customer service remains one of the most important aspects of his business.

This episode offers valuable insights for knife collectors, aspiring makers, and anyone interested in building a successful business through quality products, exceptional service, and strategic partnerships. Ben's philosophy of never compromising quality while serving customers at different price points offers a masterclass in smart business growth.

Visit the episode page at https://www.theknifejunkie.com/633 for show notes and additional resources. Find Jack Wolf Knives online at https://www.jackwolfknives.com and follow them on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/jackwolfknives.

Be sure to support The Knife Junkie and get in on the perks of being a patron, including early access to the podcast and exclusive bonus content. Visit https://www.theknifejunkie.com/patreon for details. You can also support The Knife Junkie channel with your next knife purchase. Find our affiliate links at https://theknifejunkie.com/knives.

Let us know what you thought about this episode and leave a rating and review. Your feedback is appreciated. You can also email theknifejunkie@gmail.com with any comments, feedback, or suggestions.

To watch or listen to past episodes of the podcast, visit https://theknifejunkie.com/listen. And for professional podcast hosting, use our podcast platform of choice: https://theknifejunkie.com/podhost.

In Episode 632 of The Knife Junkie Podcast, host Bob DeMarco explores kukri knives from traditional Nepalese examples to modern folding interpretations.

The episode begins with a pocket check featuring the Kansept Bison, Jack Wolf Knives Laid Back Jack, Cold Steel Desperado, and a custom Hogtooth Fighting Bowie. Knife Life News covers the Tashi Bharucha collaboration with Civivi, the upcoming Civivi Lunaris, and RoseCraft discontinuing its modern folder lineup.

The First Tool segment examines the TL-29 electrician knife, a World War era military utility blade that served Signal Corps soldiers and remained popular with tradesmen for decades. The State of the Collection introduces four new additions, including a vintage Sheffield straight razor, the Piratech Tsunami, Cold Steel Kudu, and Cold Steel Rajah 3.

The main segment provides comprehensive kukri coverage, starting with traditional examples from Nepal and progressing through modern folders from Cold Steel, Artisan Cutlery, and the Jason Knight collaboration with Fox Knives. Fixed-blade kukris include the Spartan Blades Harsey design, a massive Traditional Filipino Weapons kukri, and the Cold Steel Chaos with its distinctive D-guard.

Bob explains kukri history, addresses common misconceptions about design features, and demonstrates why these curved blades remain relevant for both collectors and users.

This episode offers a detailed examination of blade geometry, handle ergonomics, and how traditional designs inspire contemporary makers. Whether you own kukris or find them interesting, this episode delivers the information you need to understand why these distinctive blades have endured across generations and cultures.

Find the list of all the knives shown in the show and links to the Knife Life news stories at https://theknifejunkie.com/632.

Support the Knife Junkie channel with your next knife purchase. Find our affiliate links at https://theknifejunkie.com/knives. You can also support The Knife Junkie and get in on the perks of being a patron, including early access to the podcast and exclusive bonus content. Visit https://www.theknifejunkie.com/patreon for details.

Let us know what you thought about this episode and leave a rating. Your feedback is appreciated. You can also email theknifejunkie@gmail.com with any comments, feedback, or suggestions.

To watch or listen to past episodes of the podcast, visit https://theknifejunkie.com/listen. And for professional podcast hosting, use our podcast platform of choice: https://theknifejunkie.com/podhost.

Master knife designer and martial arts expert James Williams returns to The Knife Junkie Podcast for a deep examination of combat philosophy, escalation of force, and the intersection between traditional Japanese sword arts and modern self-defense.

Williams brings a background few can match. After serving in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1969, he went on to study wrestling, boxing, kickboxing, Filipino martial arts, Russian Systema, and multiple Japanese koryu (traditional martial arts). He has spent years teaching close-quarters combat to military special operations personnel and has designed numerous knives for CRKT and other companies.

In this conversation, Williams discusses the difference between fear-based and faith-based operating systems in combat, why most modern martial arts rely on engagement and reciprocity that can get you killed with lethal weapons, and how the concept of silent victory with no touching of blades from ancient samurai sword systems informs his approach to knife design and defensive tactics.

Williams also shares practical advice on escalation of force, situational awareness, everyday carry tools, and teaching young people to stay safe in an increasingly dangerous world. From DEFCON levels of awareness to the importance of clearing dark spaces with a flashlight, this episode is packed with actionable information.

At nearly 80 years old, Williams continues to refine his teaching and reports getting faster rather than slower by eliminating tension and allowing natural body mechanics to do the work. His insights bridge ancient warrior traditions and modern tactical realities in a way few others can.

Listen to the full episode at www.theknifejunkie.com/631. Find James Williams online at www.williamsbladedesign.com and www.systemofstrategy.com, and follow him on Instagram at @williamsbladedesign and @system_of_strategy.

Be sure to support The Knife Junkie and get in on the perks of being a patron, including early access to the podcast and exclusive bonus content. Visit https://www.theknifejunkie.com/patreon for details.

You can also support The Knife Junkie channel with your next knife purchase. Find our affiliate links at https://theknifejunkie.com/knives.

Let us know what you thought about this episode and leave a rating and/or a review. Your feedback is appreciated. You can also email theknifejunkie@gmail.com with any comments, feedback, or suggestions.

To watch or listen to past episodes of the podcast, visit https://theknifejunkie.com/listen. And for professional podcast hosting, use our podcast platform of choice: https://theknifejunkie.com/podhost.