My love of fine knives started when I was a kid. I got a pocketknife for my 8th birthday, and barely a day has gone by since then that I haven’t carried a knife. Or two. There’s something about a good knife - the way it fits in your hand, the balance, the look, the feel - that makes it an extension of your body, and it just doesn’t feel right when you don’t have it on you. Those of you who are knife lovers know exactly what I’m talking about.

I also developed a desire to make knives when I was a kid, although that desire didn’t get realized until much later. I spent 26 years in the Marine Corps, which gave me ample opportunity to learn what makes a great knife that will perform in the field. A couple decades of martial arts experience, including blade-centric arts like kali/escrima, also taught me the characteristics that make a knife a more effective weapon. I’m still learning more every day and always look for ways to improve the knifemaking craft.

The name Jackal Ridge comes from an obscure bit of British military history. My daughter designed the logo. Every Jackal Ridge knife is completely hand made in Virginia and is guaranteed for life.

I genuinely love making knives, and I look forward to hearing from you.

— Eric