Arizona Custom Knives has been in existence for over 15 years. I purchased the business in 2002 and will be running it until I am a granny.Most people want to know why would someone be interested in knives and more importantly why would a woman be interested in knives?Hmmmm. I must admit that I gave it very little thought. I just found the business for sale and knew it was right for me. If I could have bought it that night, I would have. Every cell in my body tingled with excitement. This was everything I could have dreamed of.But why I have been asked and asked? Well now after careful reflection and answering the question a kazillion times I can tell you, in my sleep.My maternal grandfather was a tool and die maker for boat parts in New Jersey. Although I never knew this part of him he always had the greatest tool shed. I spent hours in there playing. I riveted things, drilled, hammered and just created and destroyed everything imaginable in that shop.My father grew up on a farm in Tennessee and became an engineer. He collected and traded those old knives with the xxx's and dots. So did my uncles, cousins and the men dressed in clean overalls at the courthouse. I remember it vividly.I then appeared on the scene. I was an only child tomboy who grew up with a workaholic father and an eccentric mother and a collector of many things. My father believed I must be able to be self-sufficient and learn to do everything I could. I have painted so many houses that I can't keep count. I can cut like a pro. I have baled hay, cut tobacco, put in fence posts and mowed a bazillion lawns. My father always did all the work on the cars so I became his helper. I learned about timing, valves, seals, rust and bondo. We actually rebuilt a Triumph TR 250 and even did the paint job. Wow, what a car. My first car was an Opel Gt with the bug headlights. I purchased her for $200 and later sold her for $2, 500. I know how to make money. I must admit that I now stay away from cars.As I said above I was a tomboy. I lived in the woods, building forts, fishing for tadpoles and of course playing Indians. My heroes were John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, Davy Crockett Daniel Boone of course the infamous Bowie. Wow. I wanted to throw a knife like he did.I have always had an interest in the workmanship that goes into made things. Whether it is food or construction, it just interests me. My mother taught me to look at things closely, to examine their value and why. Whether it was a Queen Anne leg on a chair or a brown pottery jug, they all have a history and something to respect. When I entered high school, of course, we were expected to take home ec. Are you kidding? Me take home ec? I took shop in high school and loved it.I continued to grow and became a nurse. I shuffled from area to area but my concentration was on children. I did child and adolescent psychiatric care the longest, then newborn nursery and NICU. Around the time I went into the baby area, I had children of my own. I think I liked the babies because they didn't talk as much and did what they were supposed to do.I have always enjoyed the outdoors and adventure. I went on a cross country skiing trip with Outward Bound when I was 16 and had never seen snow. I just recently went dog sledding in Alaska by myself for a week. The days consisted of all day ( 25-mile days ) with my own team. I do know what cold is now. I have been fishing since I was a child and have always loved it. Last but not least, I have had the opportunity to travel the world. I was very fortunate that my father for a short time worked for Pan Am and we could fly for free.My life and its experiences are what makes knives so appealing to me. It is in my blood. It feels comfortable and where I should be.
The team at WilsonMachine takes pride in working for one of the oldest and yet one of the most advanced gear manufacturers in North America. The working culture at WilsonMachine is founded on fine craftmanship coupled with " good old-fashioned know-how ". We never rest on our laurels and are always looking for ways of improving quality and tightening tolerances. New equipment is constantly being added and full training is given to all staff to ensure the best performance from this equipment. Engineering uses 3D computer-aided design to complete shop drawings eliminating errors during the transfer from design to the manufacturing group. Most of the heavy duty equipment items, such as gear-hobbing machines, lathes and the vertical boring mill, are now fully computerized. The current standard from our CNC systems is for an accuracy within 0.5 mils ( thousandths of an inch ) of bore tolerance. We have the latest computerized gear checking equipment that measures down to a micron ( 0.04 mils ). As a technology leader in power transmission products and drive systems, WilsonMachine offers gear cutting, high speed gear grinding, gear finishing, gear hobbing and shaping and complete assembly capabilities. Heat treatment is done by WilsonMachine approved subcontractors under long standing arrangements. WilsonMachine is now located in a 50, 000 square feet modern building. It would be very easy to get lost among the storey-high machines that turn out the massive gears of all types. Despite the heavy duty nature of its manufacturing processes, quality is measured in microns. The team is justifiably proud of its ISO 9001 certification and of its long-standing association with the American Gear Manufacturers Association.
We design, fabricate, and install custom metalwork and structural carpentry for residential spaces — bringing together steel, iron, and wood to create functional, one-of-a-kind features for your home.
Iron Osprey Forge & Designs blends the ancient arts of blacksmithing with modern knowledge and technology in the nation's oldest city, St. Augustine, Florida. Using hammer and fire we forge useful and artistic creations by commission. Iron Osprey Forge also offers introductory and intermediate classes in the art of blacksmithing - teaching students basic skills and building on those skills while they create projects. Looking for a motivational or team-building activity? Iron Osprey Forge offers programs for C-suite team building, anniversaries, bachelor parties and more. Create unique memories while exploring the ancient and fascinating world of smithing.
