Episode 04: Michael Burch

Episode 04: Michael Burch

Author: Discussion of knives, knifemaking, and knife collecting with makers Michael January 22, 2018 Duration: 2:34:48

Our third knifemaker panel introduction digs into the life and background of Michael Burch.  We learn about Michaels influences, what drives him to perfect his craft, and how his love for knives put him on a path to become a craftsman.


Imagine pulling up a chair in the corner of a bustling knife show, where the air hums with the shared passion for finely crafted steel. That's the feeling you get with Mark of the Maker. Hosted by Mark Stheiner, this podcast gathers renowned custom knifemakers like Tom Krein, Sean Kendrick, and Michael Burch for conversations that flow as easily as if they were just friends talking shop. The discussion goes far beyond simple tool reviews, diving into the entire culture and craft surrounding blades. You'll hear authentic perspectives from both the creators at the forge and the collectors who cherish their work, offering a full-circle view of this unique world. Each episode might explore the nuanced history behind tactical designs, current trends shaping the field, or candid commentary on the industry itself. They also tackle how modern influences, like social media, impact traditional craftsmanship. It’s a genuine and deep exploration for anyone fascinated by the art of knifemaking, the stories behind the tools, and the community that brings it all to life. Tune in for a podcast that captures the essence of the craft, straight from the voices that define it.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 175

Mark of the Maker
Podcast Episodes
Episode 23: Jeremy Marsh [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:10:37
Custom knifemaker Jeremy Marsh joins us this time on Mark of the Maker. Jeremy is a toolmaker by trade and he explains how his experiences as a tool and die maker helped him gain the skills to form the basis of his craft…
Episode 22: Season 2 Kickoff [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:55:34
The Crew rejoins after a long winter break. We discuss happenings over the last few weeks, review our own 2018's, talk resolutions and trends for 2019 and point out some makers to watch as we roll into the new year. Just…
Episode 21: Justin Laffer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:11:32
We are joined by knife collector Justin Laffer for another Collector Spotlight episode. Justin shares his perspective with us on a variety of topics relevant to the knife community and the current state of the custom kni…
Episode 20: Scary Knives [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:00:55
You know you've seen them before - knives that have "that look" and give pause to even the casual observer. We dig into the topic of scary knives, whether from horror movies or designed with specific scary intent. This o…
Episode 19: Three Knives on a Budget [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:50:33
The crew faces a challenge: What knife would you buy if you had $25 to spend? How about $100 or $300? We won't pretend our choices are the "best" for the money, but each has a reason why they were chosen. A fun episode f…
Influences: James Keating and the Crossada [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:17
In our second Minisode, Tom talks about the Crossada and how James Keating and his iconic fighting knife design have influenced his own work.
Episode 18: Andy Frankart [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:05:31
We are joined by collector and maker Andy Frankart for a discussion about knives, collecting, and his perspective as the maker of probably the hottest and most collectable non-knife EDC items out there. Andy shares insig…
Influences: In the Rogue Blood [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:41
In our first minisode, we explore influences. Sean dives into a savage scene from one of his favorite books and we talk about how the knife in this scene influenced his work at the time. We'll use these short minisodes t…
Episode 17: Ethnic Knives, The Gathering [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:57:37
We dive into the diverse and fascinating world of ethnic knives - knives and designs that come from specific regions or cultures around the world. We discuss the origins of these designs and how many of them influenced k…
Episode 16: Lucas Burnley [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:09:01
Our friend and knifemaker Lucas Burnley joins us for a conversation about life, influences, knives and other projects like his immensely popular Cypop. We go pretty deep on this one and Lucas shares both insights on his…