Knife Magazine

Knife Magazine

  • LOG IN HERE
  • Newsfeed
  • SUBSCRIBE!
    • NEW Print Subscription
    • RENEW Print Subscription
    • Premium Online Membership
  • Books & Mags
    • Books
    • Magazine Archives
  • Events & Orgs
    • Upcoming Events
    • Submit Your Event
    • Knife Club Directory
    • Submit Your Knife Club
  • The Vault
    • Knife Markings (Goins Encyclopedia)
    • Worldwide Knifemaker Database and Directory
    • Magazine Archives
    • Digital Library
    • Knife Glossary
    • Submit an Entry
  • About
    • The Knife Magazine Team
    • Our History
    • Contact Us
  • Contest Entry
  • Log In
  • Create Account

Type and hit enter to display search result

Recent Posts
  • QSP brings 3 releases to Virtual SHOT 2021
  • Kershaw and Zero Tolerance announce their 2021 Designs
  • Weekend Open Thread: Sub-Optimal Strategy Edition
  • New Buck Knives for 2021
  • Spyderco Reveal 7 showcases Q1 releases
0 - $0.00
  • Help & Support
  • Cart
  • Log In
  • Create Account
Advertise With Us

Knife Magazine

Knife Magazine

  • LOG IN HERE
  • Newsfeed
  • SUBSCRIBE!
    • NEW Print Subscription
    • RENEW Print Subscription
    • Premium Online Membership
  • Books & Mags
    • Books
    • Magazine Archives
  • Events & Orgs
    • Upcoming Events
    • Submit Your Event
    • Knife Club Directory
    • Submit Your Knife Club
  • The Vault
    • Knife Markings (Goins Encyclopedia)
    • Worldwide Knifemaker Database and Directory
    • Magazine Archives
    • Digital Library
    • Knife Glossary
    • Submit an Entry
  • About
    • The Knife Magazine Team
    • Our History
    • Contact Us
  • Contest Entry
0 - $0.00
  • Home
  • /
  • Custom Knives & Makers
  • /
  • Knife Stories
  • Custom Knives & Makers   Knife Stories  

    5 from the Grinder – Michael West (Westknives)

    By H. Clay Aalders November 30, 2020December 4, 2020
    Michael West Westknives

    It is Monday, so it is time for another 5 from the Grinder knifemaker feature. Today we have the first maker who is new to me, having answered our call for participants for the series. If you are a knifemaker who would like to be featured in your own “5ftG” post on KnifeMagazine.com, you can find out more about it here.

    Michael West is a Danish maker, whose work features the clean lines more associated with Scandinavian automotive design than traditional Scandinavian knife patterns.

    Please introduce yourself and let us know what led you to making/designing knives:

    I am from Denmark. I make custom handmade artknives and love being at shows here and abroad.
    I do all my drawings by hand, a handmade knife from Westknives means handmade.

     

    What knifemaker(s) or designer(s) have had the biggest influence on you? Do you have any mentors?

    I started the year before the first Knives Yearbook, so I have been pretty much on my own. But I see so many great knives, and you can always learn something.

     

    What is your favorite knife pattern or style from history?

    My original designs comes from the iron age Nordic knives.

     

    What is the next big thing in knifemaking? / What direction do you see the industry going?

    Think everyone (me included) makes kitchen knives at the moment.

     

    Is there a knife from your lineup that you feel best exhibits who you are as a knifemaker/designer in terms of design elements, aesthetic or techniques used?

    I have made some Silverframe Knives with sheaths in silver and matching materials. These are signature knives for me.

     

    What is your EDC and why?

    I do not really have a EDC. In Denmark you need a practical reason to carry.

    You can see more of Michael’s work by visiting Westknives.com, his Instagram (@westknives), or his Facebook Page.

     


    If you would like to find out more about out 5 from the Grinder Series, you can read more below.

    Want to be featured on KNIFEMagazine.com? Introducing “5 from the Grinder”

    If you are a maker who would like your own 5ftG feature, you can fill out the form here. The password is “grinder”

     

    6 Tags: 5 from the Grinder, Michael West, Westknives

    H. Clay Aalders

    H. Clay Aalders is a lifelong edged tool user. He spent the past 20 years as a woodworker and fishing guide in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Idaho, and Tennessee. While guiding in Idaho, Clay worked part-time writing for a local newspaper, and upon moving to Tennessee began writing for the blog The Truth About Knives - spending his last 5 years there as Managing Editor. His background is in fixed-blade hunting and bushcraft knives, but has jumped into the world of vintage slipjoint collecting with both feet since coming to work at Knife Magazine. Clay’s primary role is as Digital Editor, curating and creating new content for our website and blog, as well as maintaining the Knife Magazine social media accounts (FB/IG: @theknifemag, Twitter: @knifemagazine). He is also a contributor and Associate Editor of the print magazine.

    You May Also Like

    Kraken Tactical

    5 from the Grinder: Johnny Kraken (Kraken Tactical EDC)

    January 11, 2021
    Karl B. Andersen Knives

    5 from the Grinder: Karl B. Andersen (Andersen Forge)

    December 28, 2020
    Ed Desch Knives

    5 from the Grinder: Ed Desch

    December 16, 2020

    6 Comments

    1. Reply
      cmeat
      December 1, 2020 11:04 am

      “In Denmark you need a practical reason to carry.”
      what’s impractical about any one of the dozen legitimate uses i could recite at the drop of a lego?
      sadly, but at least hopefully he’s towing the cultural line here and carries something regardless.
      sorry, got lost in that mindset. exquisite lines, some delicate tips there for fixed stuff; kept thinking “priceless letter openers.”

    2. Reply
      Ricky Hockensmith
      December 1, 2020 11:33 am

      CMEAT, you have to remember that the Danes got pacified somewhere in their journey from their Viking heritage. Make sex not war. This man’s knife designs are beautiful; They are similar to Wolfgang Loerchner’s creations. Practical? NOT. Art? YES. Hocky

      • Reply
        StuartB
        December 1, 2020 12:40 pm

        Make Seax not War. There, fixed it for you…….
        Stunning knives, really striking and sooo elegant

    3. Reply
      Ricky Hockensmith
      December 1, 2020 1:38 pm

      Stuart B., Very witty! However, I believe the Vikings pronounced “seax” as “sO” (long “O”). Still, pronunciation aside, I like how you did it! Hocky

      • Reply
        StuartB
        December 2, 2020 12:13 pm

        Well, you reap what you seax ……… I’ll see myself out

        • Reply
          Ricky Hockensmith
          December 2, 2020 2:11 pm

          Did you happen to meet “Billy Jack” in the desert? Peyote sunsets and tequila . .

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    About Us
    Author Picture:

    KNIFE Magazine is an oversized, full color, glossy print publication — 50% larger than a standard magazine and dedicated to serving collectors, knifemakers and other enthusiasts. KnifeMagazine.com is our online presence, offering news, events and other information to all visitors and a wealth of information to Premium Online Members including information on historical knife markings, knifemaker markings, about 500 magazine issues, and more!

    sales@knifemagazine.com 1-800-828-7751 (M-F, 9-5 EST)
    Knife Magazine - PO Box 11012 - Knoxville TN USA 37939
    Author Signature:
    CLICK HERE TO SEE A SAMPLE ISSUE!
    Stay Updated
    Recent Comments
    • cmeat on Mora Kicks off 2021 with Commemorative 2000 Model
    • Jason K on Mora Kicks off 2021 with Commemorative 2000 Model
    • StuartB on Mora Kicks off 2021 with Commemorative 2000 Model
    • cmeat on QSP brings 3 releases to Virtual SHOT 2021
    • davidmccarty on Weekend Open Thread: Sub-Optimal Strategy Edition
    Knife Magazine

    © 2020. Knife Magazine - Site by Epic Nine

    Type and hit enter to display search result