Mark Steinbreker

Who am I?

I am a 56-year-old part time knife maker who tries to balance the love of knife making with my work as a machine shop supervisor and the needs of my wife, three kids and one grandchild. I have always sought personal fulfillment through working with my hands. Prior to making knives, I made Appalachian dulcimers, furniture, and muzzle loading rifles. My full time jobs have included carpentry, property management and my current position as a machinist. For relaxation, I enjoy the outdoor pursuits of hunting, fishing, and archery.

Motivation:
Having a creative outlet has always been important to me. Since 1986, knife making has given me a unique avenue for personal expression that is both very challenging and rewarding. I get a great deal of satisfaction from collaboration with other knife makers, steel makers and customers, and it has been very life-giving to be recognized and appreciated for what I’ve been able to create. I am fascinated by the level of personal expression that each knife maker brings to his or her work: two people can make similar types of knives, but each knife can be unique, reflecting the workmanship and personality of the maker. It is striking to me that different lines and forms evoke differing interpretations and emotions in both the maker and the viewer.

How I work:
I like to use natural materials for my handles: wood, elephant ivory, fossilized ivory, and shell. To me there is a little bit of mystery in these materials: they evoke thoughts of far away places, ancient times, and the depths of the ocean. In each case, something natural has lived and died (sometimes long ago) and great human effort has gone into finding these beautiful materials and making them available to us.

In the same way, there is a mystery in pattern welded or Damascus steel: the smith’s skill as he or she manipulates and combines materials is an expression of unique artistic vision and personality.

It is very satisfying to combine these exotic materials into a finished work of art.