The Knife Junkie Podcast

Welcome to Episode 637 of The Knife Junkie Podcast. Host Bob \"The Knife Junkie\" DeMarco sits down with Jacob Peterson, founder and designer of Exodus Knife & Tool, to discuss how he created the AdventureCraft, a small fixed blade that everyone told him not to make.

Peterson shares his journey from military deployment to knife reviewer to designer, explaining how his third attempt at building a knife company finally succeeded. The AdventureCraft and Jackalope fixed blades have earned praise from top YouTube reviewers and changed how Peterson approaches both knife design and knife reviewing.

Peterson opens up about his "one tool option" philosophy, where every Exodus knife must handle everyday carry tasks, bushcraft work, and survival situations with equal capability. He discusses his influences, including Fiddleback Forge designer Andy Roy, and explains why he keeps his designs clean without bottle openers or unnecessary features.

The conversation covers his time co-owning a Nepalese kukri manufacturer, his combat deployment experiences that shaped his taste in knives, and his partnership with White River Knife & Tool to manufacture his designs. Peterson also shares the profound meaning behind the Exodus name and how his Christian faith drives his mission to create versatile, practical tools.

Listen to the full episode at https://www.theknifejunkie.com/637 to hear more about his design process, his experience reviewing knives for 10 years on YouTube, and why the AdventureCraft stopped his endless search for the perfect blade.

Find Exodus Knife & Tool at https://www.exodusknifeandtool.com and connect with Jacob Peterson on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/exodusknifeandtool and Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/exodusknifeandtool. Check out his YouTube channel for gear reviews and outdoor content at http://youtube.com/c/thepreppersbunkeroutdoors.

The episode offers insights for knife designers, collectors, and users who value practical tools that work in the real world. His story shows how persistence pays off and why listening to your instincts sometimes matters more than listening to critics. And his approach to balancing slicing performance with durability, keeping designs clean and purposeful, and creating knives that serve as true one-tool options provides lessons for anyone interested in knife design or outdoor gear.

Bob and Jacob discuss the current state of the fixed blade market, the importance of acknowledging design influences, and why Peterson shifted from reviewing tactical knives to focusing on bushcraft and survival designs. The conversation touches on everything from edge geometry to batoning techniques to the meaning behind the ordnance logo that marks every Exodus product as inspection-approved and ready for use.

Be sure to support The Knife Junkie and get in on the perks of being a patron, including early access to the podcast and exclusive bonus content. Visit https://www.theknifejunkie.com/patreon for details.

You can also support The Knife Junkie channel with your next knife purchase. Find our affiliate links at https://theknifejunkie.com/knives.

Let us know what you thought about this episode, and leave a rating and a review. Your feedback is appreciated. You can also email theknifejunkie@gmail.com with any comments, feedback, or suggestions.

To watch or listen to past episodes of the podcast, visit https://theknifejunkie.com/listen. And for professional podcast hosting, use our podcast platform of choice: https://theknifejunkie.com/podhost.

In episode 636 of The Knife Junkie Podcast, host Bob DeMarco takes a close look at TKell Knives and explores why their models make outstanding everyday carry options. This episode features 11 different TKell designs, from the sleek Agent series to the robust Combatant and tactical Nightstalker. Each knife brings something unique to the table while maintaining the quality and value that TKell has become known for in the knife community.

Bob starts with his daily pocket check, showcasing the Emerson Knives Super CQC-7, Cold Steel Urban Edge, and other tools he carries regularly. He also announces the November 2025 Gentleman Junkie Giveaway featuring the TKell Knives Agent 001, giving listeners a chance to experience TKell quality firsthand.

The Knife Life News segment covers recent releases from Civivi, Buck, GiantMouse, and Victorinox, keeping you up to date on what matters in the knife world.

The First Tool segment examines the Ulu knife, a traditional cutting tool that has served indigenous peoples of Alaska and Arctic regions for thousands of years.

Bob then shares his State of the Collection thoughts on the TKell Guardian, which was his introduction to the brand and set his expectations for their entire product line.

The main topic dives deep into multiple TKell models, including the Agent 001 and its limited editions (Storm LE and Zombie LE), Agent 002 through 004, Nightstalker, Nautilus, FLN 2.0, Combatant, and Adversary.

Throughout the episode, Bob emphasizes the exceptional value that TKell Knives delivers. These folders use quality steels, feature solid construction, and offer smooth action that competes with brands charging much more. Whether you need a slim office carry or a tough outdoor knife, TKell has options that will serve you well without draining your wallet. This episode gives you all the information needed to choose the right TKell knife for your everyday carry needs.

Find the list of all the knives shown in the show and links to the Knife Life news stories at https://www.theknifejunkie.com/636.

Support the Knife Junkie channel with your next knife purchase. Find our affiliate links at https://theknifejunkie.com/knives. You can also support The Knife Junkie and get in on the perks of being a patron, including early access to the podcast and exclusive bonus content. Visit https://www.theknifejunkie.com/patreon for details.

Let us know what you thought about this episode and leave a rating and/or a review. Your feedback is appreciated. You can also email theknifejunkie@gmail.com with any comments, feedback, or suggestions.

To watch or listen to past episodes of the podcast, visit https://theknifejunkie.com/listen. And for professional podcast hosting, use our podcast platform of choice: https://theknifejunkie.com/podhost.

In Episode 635 of The Knife Junkie Podcast, host Bob DeMarco talks with Jeff Schafer of Schafer Knives, an American Bladesmith Society Apprentice whose combat-ready custom knives have caught the attention of martial artists and collectors across the country.

Schafer combines decades of martial arts training in Tang Soo Do, Bujinkan, Escrima, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with traditional bladesmithing skills to create knives that actually work. From massive Bowie choppers with sharpened clips to everyday carry fixed blades, his designs focus on balance, performance, and classic American knife profiles.

In this conversation, Schafer shares how a small family knife sparked his lifelong interest in blades, why he decided to build a shop and teach himself bladesmithing, and what it takes to pursue American Bladesmith Society certification. He discusses his design philosophy, steel choices, heat treatment methods, and how his martial arts background influences every knife he makes.

Schafer gained wider recognition when knife enthusiast Rolando Estocada featured one of his massive choppers on his channel after Blade Show 2025. Made with a convex edge and careful attention to distal taper, the knife demonstrates how Schafer balances size with maneuverability.

Whether you are interested in fighting knives, classic Bowies, or everyday carry fixed blades, this episode offers insight into a maker who understands how knives move in the hand and perform under pressure. Schafer also discusses his plans for his ABS journeyman test, his favorite handle materials, like a crown stag, and why he does his own leatherwork for custom sheaths.

Find Jeff Schafer online at Instagram @schaferjeff, on Facebook at Schafer Knives, and at www.schaferknives.com. For show notes and additional resources, visit theknifejunkie.com/635.

Be sure to support The Knife Junkie and get in on the perks of being a patron, including early access to the podcast and exclusive bonus content. Visit https://www.theknifejunkie.com/patreon for details. You can also support The Knife Junkie channel with your next knife purchase.

Find our affiliate links at https://theknifejunkie.com/knives. Let us know what you thought about this episode, and leave a rating and/or a review. Your feedback is appreciated.

You can also email theknifejunkie@gmail.com with any comments, feedback, or suggestions. To watch or listen to past episodes of the podcast, visit https://theknifejunkie.com/listen. And for professional podcast hosting, use our podcast platform of choice: https://theknifejunkie.com/podhost.

Join host Bob DeMarco for Episode 634 of The Knife Junkie Podcast as he explores the world of ESKs, or Emotional Support Knives. These are the big, bold blades that make collectors feel confident and capable, even if they never get used for everyday tasks.

Bob starts with his weekly Pocket Check, featuring the Piratech Tsunami, JWK Midnight Jack, Fisher Blades McNasty, and Cold Steel Espada XL. Knife Life News covers three exciting releases: the robust KA-BAR Mark 25 folder, the sleek Benchmade Successor slipjoint, and the return of the Kopis Designs L-Via with new variations.

In the First Tool segment, Bob shares how the iconic Buck 110 Folding Hunter started his knife-collecting journey. State of the Collection highlights the Ontario Knife SP-10, a backyard bruiser built for serious survival tasks.

The main event counts down the top 10 most carried ESKs in his collection, including fighting bowies, tactical daggers, and war knives from makers like Hogtooth, Cold Steel, Station IX, TKell Knives, CRKT, TOPS, KA-BAR, Spartan Blades, and Work Tuff Gear. Bob explains what makes each knife special and why these impressive blades earn their place in any serious collection.

Whether you carry a big knife for confidence or just appreciate the craftsmanship of large blades, this episode celebrates the knives that make us feel ready for anything. Bob brings his usual knowledge, passion, and humor to a topic that resonates with collectors everywhere.

Find the list of all the knives shown in the show and links to the Knife Life news stories at https://theknifejunkie.com/634.

Support the Knife Junkie channel with your next knife purchase. Find our affiliate links at https://theknifejunkie.com/knives. You can also support The Knife Junkie and get in on the perks of being a patron, including early access to the podcast and exclusive bonus content. Visit https://www.theknifejunkie.com/patreon for details.

Let us know what you thought about this episode and leave a rating and/or a review. Your feedback is appreciated. You can also email theknifejunkie@gmail.com with any comments, feedback, or suggestions.

To watch or listen to past episodes of the podcast, visit https://theknifejunkie.com/listen. And for professional podcast hosting, use our podcast platform of choice: https://theknifejunkie.com/podhost.

Ben Belkin of Jack Wolf Knives returns to The Knife Junkie Podcast to discuss the remarkable growth and diversification of his knife company. Host Bob DeMarco explores how Jack Wolf evolved from a premium slip joint maker into a multi-line brand with offerings at every price point.

Ben shares the good, better, best product strategy that guides his business, from the entry-level Gateway series with pin construction and steel bolsters to the flagship slip joints made of titanium that built the brand. The conversation covers the exciting JW Kollab line of modern folders designed with talented young makers like Nick Rogers, Chris Ortiz, and Jacob Ginsburg, which serves as an innovation lab for testing new features and construction methods.

Learn about the USA-made Prickly Pear project, manufactured by Misfits Machining, and the collaboration with LT Wright Knives that produced handmade Vampire Hunter fixed blades.

Ben discusses the challenges of planning products two years in advance, the evolution of Jack Wolf's Blade Show presence from an eight-foot table to a 20-foot booth, and why customer service remains one of the most important aspects of his business.

This episode offers valuable insights for knife collectors, aspiring makers, and anyone interested in building a successful business through quality products, exceptional service, and strategic partnerships. Ben's philosophy of never compromising quality while serving customers at different price points offers a masterclass in smart business growth.

Visit the episode page at https://www.theknifejunkie.com/633 for show notes and additional resources. Find Jack Wolf Knives online at https://www.jackwolfknives.com and follow them on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/jackwolfknives.

Be sure to support The Knife Junkie and get in on the perks of being a patron, including early access to the podcast and exclusive bonus content. Visit https://www.theknifejunkie.com/patreon for details. You can also support The Knife Junkie channel with your next knife purchase. Find our affiliate links at https://theknifejunkie.com/knives.

Let us know what you thought about this episode and leave a rating and review. Your feedback is appreciated. You can also email theknifejunkie@gmail.com with any comments, feedback, or suggestions.

To watch or listen to past episodes of the podcast, visit https://theknifejunkie.com/listen. And for professional podcast hosting, use our podcast platform of choice: https://theknifejunkie.com/podhost.