Craig Falls is a knife maker located in Citrus County, Florida. We became friends years ago during a time when I was running online knife communities on social media. Many of the knives I use in my day to day life were made by Craig. We share knife design ideas and have discussions on their different uses in the outdoors. I often get the opportunity to take a knife for testing purposes. Exchanging ideas to improve on these tools together with Craig has always been a highlight for me. I’m an avid outdoorsman and most every knife I use, he has crafted through pain staking workmanship. So, it only seemed fitting when I transitioned to cooking in my house that I asked him to make a couple of kitchen knives for me. I recently sent Craig a few questions so you can learn about he and his craft;
Absolute Intent: Can you tell everyone a little about yourself?
Craig Falls: I live in Citrus County, Florida with my wife and 2 children. I love the outdoors and grew up surfing, snorkeling and wake boarding.
Absolute Intent: How did you get into the art of knife making?
Craig Falls: I believe my interest in knives started as a young boy carving knives and swords from palm fronds.
Absolute Intent: What kind of knives do you typically make?
Craig Falls: I make a wide variety of knives. kitchen knives, parang, machetes, folders, small fixed blades, hunters and recently hatchets and small bowies.
Craig Fall’s work bench filled with templates and profiled knives he is currently working on.
Absolute Intent: What is your favorite style of knife to make?
Craig Falls: My favorite styles have changed throughout the years from Bussie inspired knives to more traditional styles like bowies and saex's.
Absolute Intent: What is your favorite part of the knife making process?
Craig Falls: I believe heat treating is my favorite part of the process. The more I learn about metallurgy the more fascinating it becomes. From the fast and exciting quench to the mesmerizing vapors from the cryo, the heat treat process never gets old to me.
Absolute Intent: Do you test the steel to ensure the heat treating process is correct?
Craig Falls: Yes, some of the test's I do to make sure my heat treating process is on point are snapping the steel in half after hardening to check the grain structure. I'm looking for a really fine grain similar to powder. If the grain structure is large, the knife will not hold a edge very well and it loses toughness. I also do a hardness test and a edge retention test using 1/4" sisal rope. Although it's a time consuming process it's fun to do and very rewarding to consistently achieve the desired results.
Absolute Intent: What makes a good knife?
Craig Falls: A good knife needs to have high quality materials, good edge geometry and proper heat treatments. Typical box store knives usually use softer steels for ease of manufacture and to help keep the price low. A well made knife should be comfortable and make the job it's intended for an enjoyable experience that you look forward to doing. You may even find yourself trying to come up with a task just to put it to use.
Absolute Intent: Do you find that you have repeat customers?
Craig Falls: I would say about 75% of my business comes from repeat customers.
A utility style kitchen knife Craig made for me in CPM 154 stainless steel, presentation grade Desert Ironwood handle scales with a Mammoth bone collar and blue spacers to signify my 25+ year career in public service.
Absolute Intent: Do you make custom made to order knives or do you simply make what you want to make and sell what's available?
Craig Falls: I probably make about 60/40 60% what I feel like making 20% are orders from my designs and 20% are customs.
A recent small kitchen knife Craig finished for me. A reverse tanto, 10” kitchen knife, in CPM 154 Stainless Steel, presentation grade Ironwood handle scales with blue liners to signify my 25+ year career in public service.
Absolute Intent: What kind of knife do your customers typically ask you to make?
Craig Falls: Typically I get requests for tanto and bowie style fixed blade knives.
Absolute Intent: Are most of your customers knife collectors or knife users and what tasks would you say they use the knives you make for?
Craig Falls: I have a few collectors but most use them frequently for edc (everyday carry) and camping.
Absolute Intent: How can someone order a knife from you?
Craig Falls: I can be reached via my website contact form or Instagram or Facebook messenger.
I’ve watched Craig’s knife making skills develop over the years into works of art. He cares about making a quality tool to make life easy for its user. You can find Craig’s portfolio at the links below. If you enjoyed this interview, please give it a like, comment, and share. We would love to hear from you.
Make it your Absolute Intent to be better today than you were yesterday. - J.R.