The history of early America has intrigued me for as long as I can remember. It was this fascination that prompted me to make my first knife in 1975, as part of an effort to authentically outfit myself with the equipment of an 18th century woodsman. Since that time, my interest in history and my desire to make knives have continued to grow.

I became a full time bladesmith in 1988. My inspiration continues to come from frontier America - a time when the equipment a person carried meant sustenance and survival. I strive to be innovative, while maintaining a recognizable style. My goal is to make tools of uncompromising quality that will last a lifetime and survive as heirlooms for future generations. Through my work, I hope to preserve the heritage of utilitarian art and to promote the legacy of America's Founding Fathers.

In recent years I have had the honor of working with Special Forces Teams in the United States Military, as well as Allied Forces from around the world. This involvement prompted the establihment of the Winkler Knives II product line. The knives and axes in the WKII Collection are all custom made in my shop. Rather than being hand forged, however, they are created through the stock removal process. All designs featured in Winkler Knives II are born of Warriors' experience. I aspire to the same standards of excellence in craftsmanship as with my hand forged work.

Thank you for your interest in my work, as well as for your support of custom made cutlery.