My name is Chad Weatherford, and my passion for the outdoors started at a young age. Growing up hunting and fishing taught me early on the value of reliable gear, self-reliance, and tools that perform when it matters most.

That mindset carried into my competitive years in the Field & Stream Total Outdoorsman Challenge, a nationally televised competition that tested a wide range of outdoor skills—from long-range rifle shooting and archery to fly fishing, bass fishing, and endurance courses. I was fortunate to earn first-place finishes in 2010 and 2012, along with a second-place finish in 2011. Those experiences reinforced something I’ve always believed: when you’re outdoors, your equipment has to work—no excuses.

Through those competitions and outdoor expos, I met craftsmen who shaped my path, including Frank “Woody” Bridwell of Woody Handmade Knives, a local South Carolina bladesmith. After purchasing my first handmade knife from Woody in 2010, I became fascinated with the craft. What started as curiosity turned into hands-on learning, working through the knife-making process step by step before eventually building my own shop.