Knifemaker Joseph Verdugo
Does the name Joe sound familiar when you have contacted Anza Knives? It should, as he started with Anza Knives about 2 ½ years ago to initially handle the front office with taking orders and shipping. But, as we all know…he was destined for the “back office” learning the skills needed of a professional knifemaker. Learning the trade from Master Knifemaker Charlie Davis, Joe quickly proved he had the skill to produce the standard and semi-custom Anza Knives patterns. However, he quickly developed his strong custom knifemaking skills. Coupling these skills with his strong passion for martial arts Joe developed a style that is unique and recognizable. Combining sharp angles along with design simplicity, his knives are not only artwork but fully functional! Joe really likes making daggers, which requires a keen eye and a steady hand as it is the equivalent of making (4) knives in one due to required symmetry. Joe also produces other signature models such as the “Coral Snake”, so named due to the color bands on the grip. Joe’s talents can also be seen with his serpentine cuts, diamond divots, and other fancy file work on the spine of the knife blade. Joe takes the time for the attention to detail issues, high degree of polishing, as well as fit and finish.
Hailing from San Diego, Joe is a hometown guy that says knifemaking has taught him more than just the mechanical skills necessary to produce knives. Joe feels Master Knifemaker and Anza Knives founder Charlie Davis continues to teach him other practical life and business skills that go beyond just being used in the shop, such as time-management. Charlie has also had Joe demonstrate Anza techniques to other custom knifemakers who visit Anza Knives….quite an endorsement in his talents and abilities by Charlie! Joe has a regular following of clients and knife enthusiasts that seek out his knives who regularly check to view the custom knives he just created. If you are interested in a knife made by Joe, be sure to frequently visit the custom knife pages of Anza’s MSN website. Joe’s “signature” on a knife, indicating he, and only he produced the knife from raw material to finished product….is the etching of “JOE” in addition to ANZA USA and the year. Undoubtedly, we will be seeing quite a few high quality custom knives from this young knifemaker for many years to come….and some of his “earlier” signed knives are certain to increase in value in the future.
Knife Maker Kelly K. McGee Kelly is a rarity in the knife making world, being a young woman who only 4 ½ years ago was an artist who responded to an opening at Anza Knives in the shipping department. Once she mastered the daily requirements to get orders out to anxious clients and dealers, she expressed an interest in using her artistic talents to create colorful and often complex grips for knives. Aram Lacher (another outstanding Anza Knives knifemaker) recognized her talent, and cultivated her interest beyond designing and assembling grips. With the mentoring of Charlie Davis, she was able to quickly master shaping; grinding and most importantly…hollow grinding. Kelly found herself fully immersed in both production model patterns, while quickly developing her own style. In fact so quickly, that her earliest custom knives bear her initials “KKM” via an electric engraver as the stencil for etching her initials had yet to arrive! Kelly’s steady hand also brought out “Anzacus” or “Damascasnza”, a process where acid etching on blades and steel grip material, bears the appearance of Damascus steel. Kelly often etches USA or ANZA into the pattern, and has done some tiger stripes, whorls and what can be described as early Mayan or Aztec style pattern etching. Kelly has clients who visit the shop and ask to review her recently made custom knives, as well as those that call to inquire. Her knives are also popular with women clients who are exceptionally pleased that a female artist has added mechanical skills resulting in great knives. Kelly feels that the camaraderie at Anza Knives brings out the best in all of the knifemakers, and helps her to be even more creative with her materials of choice: Stag, Turquoise, Natural Wood and Brass. She also does “scalloping” which is a custom touch to the spine of the blade.
One client was so impressed with Kelly’s knives that he provided backstage tickets to a major concert with the band he is a member of. There, Kelly presented all of the band members with knives bearing their initials and the band’s name. Well…that certainly placed her a “cut above” in their eyes, and once she meets a client…they are a client forever! Several of Kelly’s other clients are women in the United Kingdom who are completely enchanted with Kelly and her knives. Watch this inspiring knifemaker…she will be producing great knives for many years to come!
