I hold a bachelors degree from William Carey University, and graduated from the University of Chicago Hospitals and Clinics in Respiratory therapy. I began knifemaking in 1995 when I took a course at Trinidad State Junior College in Colorado. Up until that time I had been a hobbyist gunsmith in addition to being a Respiratory Therapist and had taken a number of courses relative to that. My first attempts of knifemaking were pretty primative, but by attending hammer-ins, and receiving training from some other knifemakers, I soon began to improve. Today I am a voting member in both the Knifemakers Guild, and the Professional Knifemakers Association. I am also a member and former officer in the Texas Knifemakers and Collectors Association. I am a full time knifemaker now that I have retired from the U.S. Army civil service after 30 years. I was an instructor during that time in Respiratory Therapy. I practiced as a Registered Respiratory Therapist for 36 years.
I have been married for 40+years to Adrianne who is a professor of Nursing at UTHSCSA, and I have a married daughter Leigh, and a son-in-law, Paul Wiesehan.

I do not forge knives, but I use the stock removal method. As you will see, I use a variety of materials. I always strive to use the best materials available. When I use damascus steel, I use from makers I know or know their reputation. The handle materials I use are generally hand selected. I will not use mother of pearl that I haven't seen and inspected. Remember, Elephant ivory cannot be exported from the United States.