Lucas Burnley from Massachusetts works full-time as a knifemaker and designer. His distinctive knives combine clean, modern lines with tactical features. His designs are playful yet sophisticated, often incorporating subtle neo-Japanese elements. He places particular importance on his knives being both functional and aesthetically pleasing. In addition to pocket knives and handy camping knives, he also designs his own accessories.
What were your first experiences with the topic of knives?
I've been interested in knives for as long as I can remember. As a child, I spent a lot of time outdoors in nature, and since I was five years old, I've always carried a knife with me. My father still remembers me saying, even as a little boy, that I wanted to make knives myself. I can't say where that came from.
When did you make your first knife yourself?
At age 12, I modified one of my mother's kitchen knives. At 17, I bought my first belt sander, but at that time I didn't have a workshop. At 20, I made my first knife and have been consistently practicing ever since.
How long have you been working as a custom knifemaker?
As I said, I made my first knife when I was 20, and I sold my first one the following year. So I've been a knifemaker for 16 years.
Is there someone you would describe as a mentor?
The first knifemaker I came into contact with was Joe Cordova from New Mexico. He himself had worked with knifemaking legends Bill Moran and Bob Loveless. Joe has a broad range of skills, from reproductions of historical pieces to modern designs, and he often forges the knives himself, but also uses traditional belt sanding techniques. His wide range of skills and versatility as a designer greatly influenced me as a young knifemaker, because he opened my eyes to what is possible when you don't limit yourself to a specific style or manufacturing method.
Where do you see your greatest talent as a knifemaker?
On a personal level, I see my strength as a knifemaker in my never-ending interest in learning new things and constantly broadening my horizons. Not limiting myself to a single genre and my very broad interest in a wide variety of styles makes me very flexible in my daily work, and it keeps my interest alive (and hopefully that of my customers as well).
Where do you get your inspiration from?
I often draw my inspiration directly from everyday life and my openness to a wide variety of design styles. I primarily craft knives in a "post-tactical style." By this, I mean my focus on modern materials with clean, functional designs rooted in tactical knives, both fixed blade and folding knives. However, I also have a broad personal taste, and over the years I've realized many traditional designs, including kitchen knives, razors, swords, hunting knives—basically anything you can imagine.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
Developing a new concept and implementing the first prototypes is what I find most exciting. It's incredibly fulfilling to develop something from a pure idea to the finished piece that you can hold in your hands.
Can I simply order a custom knife from you?
I closed my order book back in 2012. But of course, I sell many knives through online lotteries as well as by raffling off purchase authorizations at the trade fairs where I exhibit and sell. So, I haven't accepted any orders since 2012, and I think I'll probably have cleared my backlog within the next three years—that is, the "MSLZ," the "standard knifemaker delivery time," if you want to call it that (laughs). But I also always try to offer a few pieces a year through my mailing list and social media, which are then available immediately, in addition to those that can be purchased at the trade fairs.
Please describe a typical workday for our customer.
I start work at 4:45 in the morning. I'm particularly creative when everyone is still asleep and I can work undisturbed before everyone else wakes up. Around 6:30, I do some exercise, usually surfing, cycling, or a trip to the gym. It's important for me to stay fit because knifemaking is quite physically demanding and strenuous. At the same time, it clears my head, which has a very positive influence on my creativity. By 9:00, I'm in the workshop. I try to dedicate six hours a day solely to production, but as any self-employed person knows, there are also various other demands in the daily business that need to be met. After lunch, I take a short break for an espresso (caffeine is essential for me!), and then I tackle different tasks in the creative or administrative areas. I definitely have a tendency to get lost in the details, and this clear structure to my workday helps me stay focused and avoid getting bogged down. I then try to spend the evening with my family from 6 PM onwards.
When you spend your free time, what is important to you, and what do you do to relax and unwind?
As a freelancer and a new father, I try to give equal weight to everything. We spend as much time as possible outdoors. We also enjoy cooking, and I read a lot. Hiking, cycling, surfing, and motorcycling are all things I really enjoy. We live close to the coast, and I'd love to add fishing to the list, time permitting.
Is there anything else you would like to tell our customers?
I feel incredibly fortunate to have such wonderful customers for my handmade pieces, and this also applies to the Böker customers who appreciate and purchase my designs as production knives. I want them to feel that they are investing in something truly special when they buy one of my handmade or production designs. I've always believed that the best brands are those you become a part of, and my partnership with Böker has played a significant role in making my designs accessible to a much wider customer base. It always gives me great pleasure when customers visit my booth at trade shows and proudly show me their beloved Kwaiken knives.