Edge & Flow Podcast
Fixing Machines and Choosing Air Compressors
Financial Structures of Knife Companies
Fish Camp
Ernest Emerson
Burnout
Coastal Adventures (PNWCI)
Tying Up Loose Ends
Tarrifs
Bevel Grinding Wins
by TJ Schwarz & Lucas Burnley
In this meeting, TJ and Lucas discussed their experiences at the Blade Show West and Lucas's plans to refocus on custom folders, while also addressing machine maintenance issues and tool life challenges. They explored various solutions for Lucas's shop, including air compressor options and the importance of understanding financial statements for business decisions. The conversation concluded with a discussion about the value of networking and seeking advice from experienced individuals to help grow their businesses.
Lucas and TJ discussed the upcoming Blade Show West and its unique characteristics compared to other knife shows, emphasizing its value for newer collectors and employees seeking firsthand customer interaction experience. They explored various business aspects of the knife industry, including pricing strategies, market dynamics, and the challenges of scaling operations, while examining successful companies like Benchmade and Montana Knife. The conversation concluded with discussions about the industry's evolution, focusing on technological advancements, changing manufacturing processes, and the potential for new companies to emerge and succeed in the knife market.
Lucas and TJ discuss a Worksharp sponsored salmon fishing trip and the importance of spending time with colleagues outside of a work environment.
Ernest Emerson shares his journey from martial arts enthusiast to renowned knife maker, detailing how his upbringing in Wisconsin, passion for functionality, and chance encounters with Navy SEALs shaped his career path from custom knife making to founding his own successful company. He discusses his business philosophy of treating employees like family, his approach to collaborations with major knife manufacturers, and his commitment to maintaining craftsmanship despite technological advances in the industry. Ernest also reveals his diversification strategy beyond knives, including apparel and whiskey businesses, while offering advice to aspiring entrepreneurs about full commitment, honest self-assessment, and maintaining ownership rather than seeking early investors.
The episode began with Lucas sharing his experience with burnout and his efforts to develop better self-care routines and work patterns, including using tools like ChatGPT to map out his workflow. Burnley and TJ discussed the challenges of balancing maintenance-focused work with creative projects in their businesses, with TJ sharing his realization about spending too much time on maintenance issues. The conversation concluded with a discussion about social media platforms, particularly Instagram and TikTok, including their evolving roles, decreasing engagement, and the impact of AI-generated content, as well as plans for shop organization and machine usage.
Lucas and TJ return from a podcast hiatus. This episode is a recap of Pacific Northwest Custom Invitational as well as shop happenings over the last few months.
Neither Luc nor TJ are attending Blade Show 2025. This was a big decision and made for good discussion.
Trade wars disrupting the knife industry and artificial intelligence fixing machines.
Luc returns from Blade Show Texas and has a new machine on the way. TJ has a big bevel grinding breakthrough.
Luc and TJ discuss the merits of "just in time" manufacturing.