Todd Kopp
Todd Kopp
Our Primary Knifemaker and Unparalleled Partner!
Award winning knifemaker, Todd Kopp began crafting our knives in early 2007. We are fortunate that we have such a marvelous ally and meticulous artisan to craft our knives with artistry and flair. His wide array of skills and professional adaptability have enabled us to offer an extensive variety of creative options for our clients. Todd has been a solid partner in our knife business and a joy to work with.
He continues the tradition of fine knifemakers who have produced Kitchen and Fixed Blade Outdoor Sheath Knives, and Folding Pocket Knives made from Boye Dendritic Steel and Boye Dendritic Cobalt. In addition to his elegant work on Kitchen Cutlery and Fixed Blade Custom and Boye Basic Knives, he prepares the refined blades for our line of David Boye BDS and BDC Lockback Folders. Through his ingenuity, versatility, and perseverance, Todd is able to develop the many unique special projects that our clients request. He also has brought about the rebirth of the treasured Boye Tweezerlock Folders.
Todd has had a great interest in knives since he was a young boy growing up in Wisconsin. His dad gave him a knife that his grandfather made. He never knew his grandfather, so the knife became very special to him, a quiet inspiration. He started making knives in 1988 when a co-worker gave him a piece of tool steel cut from a large sawblade.
For 23 years Todd worked at Alcoa Aluminum, enhancing to his knifemaking skills during his day job as he continued to make knives on his days off and in the evenings. One of his jobs at Alcoa was in heat treat operation, and for the last 18 years he was a tool and die repair technician. On October 12, 2007 Todd officially opened his business with his own line of knives, and continued making knives for Francine Etched Knives.
He savors the knifemaking process-- starting out with a chunk of steel and a chunk of hardwood, and ending up with an elegant tool and a work of art.
A few of the many makers who have inspired him are Buster Warenski, D'Holder, Dennis Freidly, Tim Hancock, and Don Norris.
He belongs to the Arizona Knife Collectors Association, Bay Area Knife Collectors Association, Southern California Blade Collectors, and the Oregon Knife Collectors Association. He has won many awards, some of which are listed below.
AWARDS
1991 Most Promising New Maker (first knife show)
1994 Arizona Knife Collectors Association Annual Club Knife
1995 Best Dagger - Las Vegas Classic Knife Show
1995 Best Art Knife - Knife Expo
1995 Best Art Knife - Arizona Knife Collectors Association
1996 Best Art Knife - Arizona Knife Collectors Association
1997 Best Art Knife - Knife Expo
1997 Arizona Knife Collectors Association Annual Club Knife
1998 Best Art Knife - Knife Expo
1999 Best Fighter - Arizona Knife Collectors Association
2000 Best Fighter - Arizona Knife Collectors Association
2000 Best of Show - Arizona Knife Collectors Association
2004 Best Fixed Blade - Knife Expo
2004 Best Miniature - Paul Basch Show - Scottsdale
2004 Best Miniature - Arizona Knife Collectors Association - Tucson
2004 Best Fixed Blade - Arizona Knife Collectors Association - Tucson
2004 Best of Show - Arizona Knife Collectors Association - Tucson
2004 Best of Show - Arizona Knife Collectors Association
2005 Best Art Knife - Oregon Knife Collectors Association
2005 Best Fighter - Mesa Show
2005 Best in Show - Mesa Show
2006 1st Place in Blade Grinding Competition - Oregon Knife Collectors Association
2008 Best Sword - Southern California Blade Show
David Boye • Lisa Embry • J.P. Holmes • Don Norris • Jim Ort
