Welcome back Sports Fans, I thank you for your patience as I was in rural Montana last week, with nary a bar of cellular or internet on which to rely. Today we are back with another exciting edition of 5 from the Grinder, this time featuring Jason Tietz. I met Jason at Blade show this year, I believe via Greg Pressley from SMKW. Jason gave me a lanyard bead and I gave him the link for 5ftG. Jason is best know as a designer (he designed the Firecraft series from White River), but he is developing his reputation as a knifemaker as well. With his background in industrial design, he is quite adept at creating EDC related items as well, which are included in his lineup.
If you are a maker yourself and would like to be featured in a future edition, click this link for more information.
Please introduce yourself and let us know what led you to making/designing knives
Jason Tietz, 37
Middleville, MI
Bachelor’s in Industrial Design
15 years of Industrial design experience
8 years of knife/edc designI’ve been collecting knives since I was a kid, attending gun shows with my dad on the weekends and our tradition of visiting the Smokey Mountain Knife Works every spring break near Gatlinburg TN. Collecting turned into customizing and after going to college for product design I merged my interests.
What knifemaker(s) or designer(s) have had the biggest influence on you? Do you have any mentors?
There are so many amazing and creative makers in the space and I’ve always admired everyone’s ability to build their own brand identity. I look at all aspects, overall design, function, fit and finish. There are a few makers out there like Richard Rogers, Lucas Burnley and Jens Anso that hit every mark consistently and those are the makers I aspire to emulate.
What is your favorite knife pattern or style from history?
Honestly, I am a huge fan of the bowie knife because if it’s lore and history as a staple in America. The shape lends itself to so many tasks, like processing game or chopping wood and became the first “all around tool” which helped shape our country. A good design like the Bowie uses form and function to create an iconic knife.
What is the next big thing in knifemaking? / What direction do you see the industry going?
The knife and edc market changes every year with new ideas, new makers or fads but I belive that a well designed, easy to carry fixed blade is still the best tool for most tasks. I think 2024 will be the year of very well thought out edc fixed blades with great carry solutions.
Is there a knife from your lineup that you feel best exhibits who you are as a knifemaker/designer in terms of design elements, aesthetic or techniques used?
The knife from my lineup that fits me best is the Firecraft 3.5 pro. It seems to not only answer everything I ask of it but it fits nicely in both the outdoor world and finds its way into my every day carry rotation on a regular basis.
What is your EDC and why?
My edc stays pretty simple. Small fixed blade, folding knife, I like to carry my custom micarta SAK but if I don’t have my fixed blade on me then i tend to lean on my Demko AD 20.5 wgich seems to get alot of pocket time recently.
I also almost always have a small multi tool/bottle opener and last but not least I can’t leave the house without a watch. I use a Garmin most days but also love my Shinola for the weekends.
Find out more:
Website: Tietzdesign.com
Instagram: @tietz_design
Facebook: Tietz Custom Design
Email: Tietzj3(at)gmail.com
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