Growing up, I always had a fascination with knives. I think it all began when I was 10 years old, and my father gifted me my first Swiss Army knife. That moment was pivotal for me, as I realized that I could create things with just a simple tool. As a child, there was a running joke among my friends and family “What’s Jonathan’s hobby of the week?”. It seemed like every week I was passionate about something new, but throughout my childhood, teenage years, and into adulthood, one interest remained constant, knives.

In 2015, I got my first job as a wilderness survival instructor with the Boy Scouts of America. From there, I traveled west to Utah, where I began working in wilderness rehab therapy for adults struggling with substance abuse and mental health challenges. During this time, I developed a deep and lasting love for Scandinavian knives. I admired their craftsmanship and functionality, and I began to learn more about their design and history.

In 2017, I started working for TOPS Knives, a well-respected company based in Southeast Idaho. This experience solidified my skills and expanded my understanding of knife making. After that, I moved to Las Vegas to work for Jays Sharpening, where I had the opportunity to sharpen 1,000 knives a day, honing my expertise in precision sharpening. Eventually, I returned to Idaho to join New West Knife Works, based in Victor, Idaho, where my abilities in knife making truly flourished.

At New West, I transitioned from working on production knives to crafting custom knives, an experience that allowed me to refine my skills even further. Sadly, my time at New West came to an end when I had to return home to care for my mother, who was bravely fighting cancer. In 2022, we lost our mother, Judith, to this devastating illness. At the time, my business was originally called Appalachia Knife and Tool. Taking inspiration from Victorinox, the company that made my first Swiss Army knife, I decided to rename my company after my mother to honor her strength and legacy. Thus, Judith Knife Company was born.

Today, our company is not just about knives it’s about giving back. We proudly support the breast cancer charity, the Foundation with Kings Daughters UK Hospital. All of our pink-handled knives are sold at a markup, and the difference is donated directly to women in need who are fighting breast cancer. Having watched our mother take collection calls with no hair, we feel deeply connected to this cause and are committed to helping others who face similar battles.

In 2024, my younger sister, Lillian, joined the company, and our business became a family affair. We often tell people that it’s difficult to make a product you’re not proud of, especially when it carries your mother’s name. Judith Knife Company is dedicated to crafting beautiful, functional tools that we believe will stand the test of time. Our company slogan is “Knives that want to be used”, and we stand by this philosophy. Our free lifetime sharpening service is a testament to our commitment to quality, as we want our knives to always perform at their highest potential, no matter how many years go by.