Today we’d like to introduce you to Joshua Scott
Hi Joshua, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve been self employed since 2010. I did custom paint and pinstriping for about 7 years and discovered handmade knives through that job. I actually traded paint work for a handmade knife. When I received the knife it sparked something in me to explore the craft. That was back in 2015. What makes Knifemaking so interesting to me is that the knife is a tool. Man’s oldest tool. But it can be made in a very artistic way. There are many avenues to be explored in Knifemaking and that’s what I like most about it. It never gets boring. All of my knives are handmade from start to finish. I forge the knives as well as the Damascus steel which is also called pattern welded steel because it shows a pattern on the blade of the finished knife.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I’m lucky to have a great customer base and social media presence on Instagram. I’ve been building that base and platform since 2015. Things have changed within the past couple years with social media and I think that’s the biggest struggle I’ve dealt with since starting my business. Knives are not always looked at as tools (even kitchen cutlery) and so there are issues with promoting and selling knives online and on social media platforms. Overall, it has been a pretty smooth road and I am grateful for that. I continue to push forward and change with the times.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I make handmade knives. Everything from small everyday carry type knives to large, high end kitchen knives. I specialize in hand forged integral bolster knives. All of my knives start with raw materials which are then manipulated under high temperatures, high pressure, belt grinding, hand hammering, and hand finishing to create the final product. I am known for my “style” which is essentially the overall look/feel of the knives. I’ve worked hard and used my background in Art to achieve my style. I think my design, fit and finish set my work apart from others. I am very proud to say that I’ve been a full time Knifemaker since January 2017.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Communication is key. When you’re running your own business you have to hold yourself accountable on many different levels. Things happen and you can fall behind, get off track etc. and your customers deserve to be in the loop when any of that happens. I’ve found that a little bit of communication goes a long way.
Pricing:
- Everyday carry (EDC) style knives start at $750
- Kitchen knives start at $1000
- I only make about 50 knives per year
- You can contact me on Instagram
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @joshscottknives
Image Credits
Joshua Scott
Sarah Scott
