5 from the Grinder: Morgan Beatty (Morganic Blades)

Hey all, we have a couple of makers that snuck in in front of the Blade Show contacts, so if you are a maker I spoke with at the show, I will get to you in the order I received your entry. Today we bring you Morgan Beatty of Morganic Blades. (www.morganicblades.com/) . I have heard of several makers who transformed their business during the pandemic, but Morgan is the first one we have had the chance to feature here on 5ftG.

If you are new to our series and would like to be featured yourself, you can find out more about 5 from the Grinder here.

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

My name Is Morgan Beatty, I’m 34 and from Albuquerque, New Mexico. I started making knives 2 years ago when one career field was shut down due to the pandemic, and making knives quickly became the thing I was obsessed with most. From being a kid admiring my dads collection of custom bowies and period correct knives from makers like Daniel Winkler and Ron Lewis I wanted to try my hand out in making one of my own. With a good amount of free time and some support from the family I fired up an old grizzly 2×72 and started grinding and making mistakes. Luckily I had some
Tools to start exploring what it took to make a blade and two years later I am a full time maker, creating hunting, camping ,Edc, and kitchen knives that are paying the bills and giving me a creative outlet to chase my dream of being an artist in the blade world. Family support and time was what I had the most of and that is what it took for me to take the plunge into a community of creatives and talented makers across the country and the world. Designing and creating one of a kind blades for customers with their input and vision of a finished product has been a huge benefit to what I do and I enjoy the interaction with my clients whether it’s memorializing loved ones that have passed or creating wild one off knives built to the likings of the end user.

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

Tough question as there are so many talented folks I draw inspiration from. Examples of makers and how they have influenced me are as follows, Nick Wheeler for his incredible attention to detail and work involved with hamon and finer points of what I consider the best blades in the business, Jordan chumney for creating new and unique pieces not hindered by the norm of the “knife world”, Joe Wheelis who creates the most incredible Bushcraft and heavy duty use knives that are all unique and so built for the task at hand, and generally my peers that answer my messages, give me tips and just share the general stoke of what we do as knife makers. For all the others I didn’t list just know I am forever grateful for the info so freely shared with me and others.

What is your favorite knife pattern or style from history?

Generally speaking I have always been a fan of Japanese blades and process but with a western twist and influence that comes
From being in the old west. If I had to choose I would say a Bowie sporting a fully polished hamon makes for what I believe to be the most rad and iconic knife style I prefer. But it all comes down to what is in my head at the time being takes precedence, whether it’s a small EDC or a big antler handled camp knife they all serve a purpose and offer challenges to a maker that I relish!

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

With the amount of information and stylistic choices out there I see the biggest growth in the folder world, because for one a pocket knife carry’s easily and is very relatable to the rest of the world. High end CPM steels and Damascus are making a huge dent in the market and for good reasons. I see exotic folders and knives you can carry always staying at the top but when it really comes down to it trying to make a unique take on an age old tool is a task in itself, whether it be an homage to an iconic knife or a one off design I think with all the info out there we will see just better knives with more maker input being provided to clients and the bar will get raised making us all a little better

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 rarely make the same blade twice so that’s a tough one, I really enjoy melding the old styles with new materials. For me it’s all about supplying the client with what they want whether that’s ashes of a loved one implemented in the build to woods and aesthetics catered to the likings of the end user. But if I had one knife to rule them all it would be a midsized everyday carry with a hamon in carbon steel sporting something unique and with a story, and a hand stitched leather sheath to boot!

What is your EDC and why?

I personally carry 3 knives, a drop point hunter design I made out of 52100 for a crazy sharp edge and ease of sharpening, my w2 file knife called the stoner that fits in the pocket and has one of the best hamons I’ve ever done, and lastly a pocket kwaiken I designed as my first in pocket carry blade. Smaller knives get used more plain and simple and you get less wild looks from folks of your not wearing a big camp knife around town!