David Broadwell began his knife making career in the Spring of 1981. He was working as a machinist at that time and he fashioned a knife from a broken file. He used the shop’s bench grinders to remove the necessary steel, and in the end came up with a rather crude knife. Broadwell then knew he wanted to become a professional knife maker. He was curious if anyone else made custom knives for a living and soon found out they did. Wondering if this was a good career decision he took the Johnson O’Conner Aptitude Test. At the end of the evaluation, Broadwell mentioned that he was very interested in making knives. After some more questioning, his evaluator told him that if there was any way he could make a living at it, making knives was the perfect career for him! He felt great that the apptitude testing matched his abilities with what he had wanted to do for six months!

Samples ::  David Broadwell - Lone Wolf Designer
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     In July of 1989 Broadwell gave notice to his employer and became a full time professional knife maker. The early years were tough but he soon became not only an accomplished knife maker but one of the few true knife artists of our time. He first specialized in large, well crafted fixed blade fighters. He started making folders in 1992.

     Broadwell’s artistry in knives exploded in the mid 90’s when he began carving and sculpting his knives in a flowing, organic “Art Nouveau” style. Developing his own unique sculpting and texturing techniques, his knives have an artistic balance of form and function. Most of his knives fall into the popular class of “sole authorship” art knives. Quite often he collaborates with other knife makers, sculptors and engravers on Limited Editions as well. He has been making knives for almost twenty years and is looking forward to an additional twenty wonderful years, creating his art in knives.