When I was ten, I was given another name. At Night Eagle, a summer camp deep in the woods, I received the name Circle Dance—a name that reflected who I was and the qualities others saw in me. This camp, where carving, bushcraft, and survival weren’t just pastimes but everyday practices, became a formative part of my life. It taught me skills, values, and a deep appreciation for tools that work hard without compromise. Frustrated by the knives I had back then, I began making my own—to do better with less.

My philosophy is simple: make high-quality knives that can take a beating, stay sharp, and feel right in your hand. I lean toward traditional blade shapes and handle styles, often inspired by bushcraft, puukko, and sloyd knives—hard users built to be compact, comfortable, and capable of serious work, or carving knives refined for high-level performance. As the saying goes, “the smaller the knife, the better the woodsman.” I aim to squeeze maximum capability out of every inch.

Each blade is shaped through stock removal, finished by hand, and rigorously tested through real use—especially during carving, where subtle flaws can’t hide. I prefer tough stainless steels like 14C28N and AEB-L for their reliability and value, while also exploring high-performance super steels like CPM M4. Handles are made from wood or micarta, and all blades are heat-treated professionally to precise specifications for optimal durability and edge retention.

Circle Dance isn’t just a name—it’s a part of me. A reminder of where I started, and the mindset that guides every tool I make.