Stowsentry.com - Passion for knives becomes business for Ohio man

L.T. Wright likes knives and always has.

So much in fact that even years ago, he would attend an occasional knife show where he could study the offerings and wonder about tolls and the skills it would taker to make such fine cutlery.

A trade here, a purchase there, and his passion for clever designs and sharp edges grew. He even tried to fashion a knife or two on his own with fair success.

Then he met R.W. Wilson, a respected and well established Ohio knife maker who invited Wright to join him in his knife-making workshop.

He didn't have to ask Wright twice.

Wright watched and learned from the master and his passion for fine knives grew.

The rest is history. It's a nice story about how an interest became a hobby that became a job that became a way of life.

Wright met co-worker Dan Coppins and the two grew close. They shared ideas about knives and they worked at designs and techniques, learning and getting better at their products.

They packed their knives and attended a few shows. Knife collectors liked what Wright and Coppins brought to the table and they bought their knives.

Wright answered the call first, leaving the security of a good job to determine his own fortune and future.

He kept learning and kept making knives, now tools defined by fine lines, great balance, and clever designs.

He brought function and art together and his knives sold faster.

Then Coppins followed suit, jumping in full time with Wright to create Blind Horse Knives, a fast-growing company with a fast-growing fan base.

The pair of hard working knife makers do it all. They each have home based workshops and they are motivated.

According to Wright, each day is filled with change. Although the pair attempts to build inventory, their schedule may change several times each day as custom orders drive their production goals.

"We really try to build our line of knives around a belief that we want to offer something for everyone and every budget," Wright said.

Wright notes that Blind Horse Knives sell for $20 to $500. That way, he said, no segment of potential buyers is shut out.

Blind Horse Knives applies serial numbers to some limited lines and because of their growing following, some collectors have reserved serial numbers. As each new design becomes available, those serial numbered knives are pre-sold.

With their company name and reputation established, Wright and Coppins are being pursued by some companies, organizations, and clubs to design special edition knives, including signature blades that a group can call their own.

Wright and Coppins recently attended a meeting of the Portage County Knife Collectors Club to demonstrate how they build a quality knife. They described each step and process including how they use metals, materials, and hands-on tooling to customize their products.

About half of the knives Wright and Coppins create are custom designs built to order. Although almost every Blind Horse Knife is designed as a functional tool, a large percentage end up in collections.

Every knife is built in Cambridge where Coppins lives or in Steubenville where Wright lives.

These guys are good at what they do And they don't intend to keep their learned skills a secret.

Wright said they hope to begin to offer knife-making classes and to conduct an annual weekend retreat in rural West Virginia where campers can learn knife skills while building their own knife during the experience.

For more information on Blind Horse Knives log on to www.blindhorseknives.com.

The Portage County Knife Collectors Club meets monthly in the Charleston Township Building.

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