The Knife Junkie Podcast

On episode 596 of The Knife Junkie Podcast, Bob DeMarco speaks with Jess Hoffman of J. Hoffman Knives. Jess is a Northeast Wisconsin knifemaker who has transformed his hobby into a part-time career, making heirloom quality fixed blade knives from scratch for outdoor enthusiasts.

His first knife was made with nothing but a file and elbow grease, but today he runs a fully-equipped shop producing knives that sell out at retailers like Knives Ship Free.

Jess shares insights into his knife-making process, from his preference for heat treating before grinding to his philosophy on creating knives as functional tools rather than display pieces. His designs, many named after Irish counties as a nod to his family heritage, focus on ergonomics and practical use. Unlike many knife makers who aim to go full-time,

Jess is content keeping his craft as a supplementary passion that will eventually support his retirement.

The conversation covers the technical aspects of knife making, including steel selection, handle materials, and grind styles, along with business strategies and Jess's experiences at Blade Show. Listeners will appreciate his advice for new makers, emphasizing the value of mentorship and hands-on learning over YouTube tutorials.

Find Jess online at jhoffmanknives.com and on Instagram at @jhoffmanknives.

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 The Knife Junkie's podcast platform of choice: https://theknifejunkie.com/podhost.

Episode 595 of The Knife Junkie Podcast features host Bob DeMarco showcasing nine fixed blade knives from OG Blade Reviews that will be given away during Thursday Night Knives (on YouTube) over the next few months.

Bob shares his pocket check including the Reate K2, Jack Wolf Mini Cyborg Jack, and Hogtooth NoVA-2. Knife news covers Vosteed's new EDC fixed blade, Work Sharp's innovative RMX folding knives with interchangeable mechanisms, Ray Laconico's impressive Bison design for Kansept, and Boker's reproduction of a WWII British SOE sleeve dagger.

The episode also features May's Gentleman Junkie giveaway knife - the Off Grid Knives Stinger XL.

Don't miss the chance to win one of nine fixed blades by joining Thursday Night Knives at 10 p.m. Eastern each week.

Find the list of all the knives shown in the show and links to the Knife Life news stories at https://theknifejunkie.com/595.

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 The Knife Junkie's podcast platform of choice: https://theknifejunkie.com/podhost.

In Episode 594 of The Knife Junkie Podcast, Bob DeMarco speaks with Zeke Johnston of Alaska Blade Studio, who forges custom knives from his shop in Soldotna, Alaska. Born and raised in the Last Frontier, Johnston explains how Alaska's self-reliant culture influences his blade making philosophy.

Johnston shares his journey from knife-obsessed teenager to professional bladesmith, including his apprenticeship under master smith Gordon Dempsey. Learn about the differences between forged and stock-removal knives, Johnston's meticulous three-step heat treatment process, and why he believes his "Chickadee" model represents the perfect everyday carry fixed blade.

With his wife Bethany's support, Johnston has built a thriving family business crafting everything from compact EDC fixed blades to Damascus hunters and chef's knives.

Visit Zeke and Alaska Blade Studio to see Johnston's work, or follow him on Facebook and YouTube.

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 The Knife Junkie's podcast platform of choice: https://theknifejunkie.com/podhost.

In Episode 593, Bob DeMarco showcases the best 4-inch Cold Steel folding knives from his collection, highlighting 12 impressive models including the Recon 1, Broken Skull, Voyager series, and 4Max Scout.

Bob also covers exciting knife news including the new James Brand Humboldt fillet knife, Brian Brown's new collaboration with WE Knife, Bestech's "Toddler," and the limited May 2025 Buck of the Month. Plus, see the newest addition to Bob's collection -- the Off-Grid Knives Stinger XL Drop Point with its impressive full flat ground blade.

Find the list of all the knives shown in the show and links to the Knife Life news stories at https://theknifejunkie.com/593.

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 The Knife Junkie's podcast platform of choice: https://theknifejunkie.com/podhost.

On episode 592 of The Knife Junkie Podcast, Bob DeMarco speaks with Patrick Shipley, product marketing manager with CAS Iberia, Inc. and APOC Survival Tools.

They discuss APOC's philosophy of creating modern interpretations of historical weapons, their two-year collaboration process with knife designers Andrew Demko and Mike Wallace, and the importance of ergonomics in knife design.

Patrick also shares the fascinating 40-year history of CAS Iberia and how he accidentally found his way into the knife industry.

Find APOC Survival Tools at https://apocsurvivaltools.com or follow them on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/apocsurvivaltools. Find CAS Iberia at https://www.casiberia.com and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/casiberia.

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 The Knife Junkie's podcast platform of choice: https://theknifejunkie.com/podhost.