Howdy Sports Fans. It is time for another edition of our knifemaker interview series 5 from the Grinder. William Jenks is an Idaho based maker who is proprietor of Jenks Bladeworks LLC where he makes knives in style from Japanese fighters to axes. He answered our call for knifemakers who would like to be featured here on KnifeMagazine.com, and we are happy to do so.
If you are a maker who would like to be featured yourself in a future post, all you have to do is fill out a simple form – https://www.knifemagazine.com/5-from-the-grinder-form/ (password is “grinder”), and upload a handful of pictures, I will combine them into an online feature including all of your social media and website information. That is all there is to it.
So without further ado, here is William Jenks, knifemaker…
Please introduce yourself and let us know what led you to making/designing knives
I currently reside in Boise, Idaho where I learned how to craft blades. When I was 10 years old I started learning survival skills and preparing for the end of the world. This lead to me seeking skills like Bladesmithing when I was a Boy Scout.
What knifemaker(s) or designer(s) have had the biggest influence on you? Do you have any mentors?
I have 3 mentors. My scout master Jason Madsen, ABS Mastersmith Bill Burke, and Japanese Swordsmith Nakanishi Sensei.
What is your favorite knife pattern or style from history?
The Japanese Tanto; It’s one of my favorite designs my ancestors wielded.
What is the next big thing in knifemaking? / What direction do you see the industry going?
I think we’ll be seeing a surge of Combat oriented blades. I think more “tacticiool” blades will be phased out and more legitimate combat knives will be produced.
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 love creating custom work that individuals carry and was designed specifically for them. I have a few blade designs that I release in small batches. My favorite is the Belligerent. I make them in memory of a Sergeant I served with at Jungle warfare training center. 10% of proceeds goes towards the Recon Sniper Foundation to help military/veterans. This blade is an evolved form of a Tanto I made for Sgt. Lamoreaux.
What is your EDC and why?
I rotate out my EDC all the time. Currently I’m sporting the Emerson and Ed Calderon collaboration called the Elvia and a Habu One that I make. Both are reverse edged blades that raise eyebrows.
If you would like to see more of William’s work, the best way is to visit his Instagram: Jenks_BladeworksLLC.
Or you can email him directly with your inquiry at: Jenksbladeworksllc(at)gmail.com
Want to be featured yourself? visit…
Want to be featured on KNIFEMagazine.com? Participate in our “5 from the Grinder” series