Edge & Flow Podcast

Edge & Flow Podcast

by TJ Schwarz & Lucas Burnley

Design Entrepreneurship Self-Improvement

EP 105 | New Shop Planning

Lucas and TJ talk about the new shop, planning the layout, new machines, three-phase power, lasers, production, and everything that goes into building out a bigger manufacturing space.

EP 104 | Fish Camp, Shooting Comps & Hiring

Lucas and TJ recap their experience at Work Sharp Fish Camp, talk about the value of building community, and share some thoughts on hiring, growing a team, and finding the right people. They also get into product development, making things for real-world use, and creating more space for good ideas.

EP 103 | Tacos, Marathons & Projects

We're back! This week on Edge & Flow, TJ and Lucas answer listener questions, talk about building a stronger brand, staying consistent, and the challenges of creating a more efficient knife-making process.

EP 102 | AI, Road Trips & New Shop

Lucas and TJ are back with another episode of Edge & Flow. This week they talk AI, building an ERP for the shop, manufacturing, custom orders, and how better systems can make more room for the things that actually matter.

EP 101 | Manufacturing, Scaling & Demand

Lucas and TJ are back for Episode 101 of Edge & Flow. This week they dive into Enduro production, manufacturing efficiency, CNC machines, and scaling a small knife shop. They also discuss knife drops, online lotteries, and the challenges that come with having more demand than product.

EP100 | New Knives, New Shows, New Shops

We're back! Luc and TJ discuss the many things that have happened in 2026 such as the launch of the Enduro, staffing changes, and a long list of knife shows.

2025 Wrapped

Lucas and TJ reflected on their first year in their new shop, discussing their transition from a garage setup to a mature production company and highlighting their progress with various manufacturing processes. They explored the integration of forging and CNC machining techniques in knife making, while emphasizing the importance of learning from experienced manufacturers and accessing available resources for process improvement. The conversation concluded with discussions about industry trends, branding strategies, and the personal fulfillment found in creating unique knife designs, along with reflections on their business growth and future plans.

Fire Drill

In this meeting, TJ and Lucas discussed a recent fire incident at a nearby bar and the importance of having business insurance, which TJ confirmed was in place for his shop. They reviewed their Thanksgiving holiday plans and Black Friday sales strategy, noting the success of their first-year discount promotion. The conversation then shifted to manufacturing topics, including Haas's equipment expansion, tool storage solutions, and various prototyping methods for knife-making, with particular focus on design processes, bevel grinding fixtures, and the importance of documentation and revision control in their work.

Value Proposition

Lucas shared his hunting experiences and reflections on gear reliability, while comparing hunting to his work as a knife maker. TJ discussed fixture upgrades for knife models and manufacturing processes, including challenges with materials and vacuum forming techniques. The conversation concluded with discussions about documentation systems, project management tools, and the importance of aligning new product offerings with brand value propositions in the knife industry.

Folding Knife Development

TJ and Lucas discussed TJ's journey in knife manufacturing, including his transition from fixed blades to folders and the challenges of prototype production and scaling operations. They explored strategies for diversifying TJ's business while maintaining his existing product line, with Lucas sharing insights on balancing growth and production efficiency. The conversation concluded with discussions about shop setup, including equipment purchases and layout changes, while touching on industry trends and market conditions in the knife industry.

1 of 11