The Knife Junkie Podcast

Professional chef meets custom knifemaker in this week\'s episode of The Knife Junkie Podcast. Host Bob DeMarco sits down with John Marconi of Marconi Blades to discuss how his 18 years in restaurant kitchens shaped his approach to making purpose-driven, everyday-carry fixed blades. John brings a unique perspective to knifemaking, combining the precision required in fine dining with the demands of defensive blade design.

John started as a dishwasher at age 16 and worked his way up through professional kitchens, eventually becoming an executive chef. His experience in fine dining taught him exactly what a knife should do, from the geometry of a convex grind to the importance of handle ergonomics.

These lessons now inform his work at Marconi Blades, where he creates fixed-blade knives using CPM MagnaCut steel and offers ambidextrous sheath options. The conversation covers his flagship Tuilm model, influences from makers like Frank Windle Jr. (Northman Blades) and Brian Schultz, and why he believes functional tools should also be art pieces.

The episode also talks about the practical side of making and using knives. John shares his preferences for kitchen knives, including his decade-plus relationship with a Zwilling Bob Kramer blade and custom pieces from makers like Greetham Knife Co. Bob and John discuss steel choices, grind geometry, and the future of Marconi Blades, including upcoming collaborations and new models in development.

Listen as John explains how the chaos of restaurant kitchens prepared him for the controlled precision of knifemaking. Hear about his brother\'s parallel journey into knife work and what it takes to balance a full-time chef career with a growing custom blade business.

This episode offers insights for anyone interested in fixed blade design, defensive knives, or the intersection of different blade disciplines.

Visit www.theknifejunkie.com/650 for show notes and additional resources. Connect with John Marconi at marconiblades.com and on Instagram at @marconi_blades.

Be sure to support The Knife Junkie and get in on the perks of being a patron, including early access to the podcast and exclusive bonus content. Visit https://www.theknifejunkie.com/patreon for details.

You can also support The Knife Junkie channel with your next knife purchase. Find our affiliate links at https://theknifejunkie.com/knives.

Let us know what you thought about this episode and leave a rating and/or a review. Your feedback is appreciated. You can also email theknifejunkie@gmail.com with any comments, feedback, or suggestions.

To watch or listen to past episodes of the podcast, visit https://theknifejunkie.com/listen. And for professional podcast hosting, use our podcast platform of choice: https://theknifejunkie.com/podhost.

Bob DeMarco returns in 2026 with an extensive examination of prototypes, fresh releases, and loaner knives that preview what collectors can expect in the coming months. Episode 649 of The Knife Junkie Podcast delivers on its title with detailed looks at pre-production models from Pinkerton Knives, Kansept, CRKT, Medford, Artisan Cutlery, and Marconi Blades.

The pocket check reveals daily carries including the Kansept Deadite, Jack Wolf Knives Gateway Equal End, and combat-oriented fixed blades from Savage Creature Defense Tools and Spartan Blades. Bob highlights his affiliate partnership with 3 Dog Knife, offering 25 percent off hardcore Alaskan-made knives with coupon code "knifejunkie," and announces the January 2026 Gentleman Junkie Giveaway featuring a 3 Dog Knife Champion Blade.

Knife Life News covers three standout releases: the Real Steel Enthusiast Grade Griffin with Vanax SuperClean steel, the We Knife Co. Skyneks with a 3.7-inch M390 blade, and the GiantMouse No. 14 Valetta limited edition. The First Tool segment examines the Barong, a leaf-shaped blade from the southern Philippines that served as both a weapon and a symbol of Moro identity and faith.

His State of the Collection showcases the Work Tuff Gear Steadfast L with its 7-inch K329 blade, the HX Outdoors FALCILUX Folding Hatchet, the Garret Wade Bifold Knife, and the JW Kollab Backwoods FIXedc collaboration. The main event focuses on prototypes and loaners, including the morphing CRKT Provoke Tomahawk, multiple Pinkerton Knives designs optimized for utility and self-defense, Kansept prototypes named Incitatus and Navaja, an unnamed Artisan clip point with dramatic recurve, and a custom Pinkerton Khanjarli featuring a fully double-edged blade.

The episode offers knife enthusiasts a rare glimpse into the design process, showing how makers refine concepts before committing to full production. From traditional slip joints to futuristic morphing tools, Bob demonstrates the breadth of innovation occurring across the knife industry.

Find the list of all the knives shown in the show and links to the Knife Life news stories at https://theknifejunkie.com/649.

Support the Knife Junkie channel with your next knife purchase. Find our affiliate links at https://theknifejunkie.com/knives. You can also support The Knife Junkie and get in on the perks of being a patron, including early access to the podcast and exclusive bonus content. Visit https://www.theknifejunkie.com/patreon for details.

Let us know what you thought about this episode, and leave a rating and review. Your feedback is appreciated. You can also email theknifejunkie@gmail.com with any comments, feedback, or suggestions.

To watch or listen to past episodes of the podcast, visit https://theknifejunkie.com/listen. And for professional podcast hosting, use our podcast platform of choice: https://theknifejunkie.com/podhost.

Knife designer and artist Paul Munko returns to The Knife Junkie Podcast to discuss his growing body of work, the inspiration behind his most popular designs, and what the future holds for Munko Knife Designs. Paul started his knife-designing career with the 2022 blockbuster hit, the Kizer Comet, an Art Deco-inspired modern gentleman folder. His third production knife, the Mystic, quickly became a fan favorite and Bob's favorite folder of 2023.

The Mystic draws inspiration from New England whaling culture and specifically the town of Mystic, Connecticut. When Paul visited Mystic Seaport as a young person, the old harpoon guns on display in this preserved whaling museum captivated him. Those harpoons directly influenced the blade shape and handle design of the knife. The Rex 45 steel develops a beautiful patina over time, adding to the historical aesthetic and making each knife unique to its owner. It remains one of Paul\'s largest blade designs to date.

Paul also discusses his recent collaboration with Kansept on the Quasar, which features a crossbar lock and hole-opening mechanism. This knife launched with eight different configurations, from high-end Timascus scales to budget-friendly G10 versions, even including a unique Glow Fat Carbon option that actually glows in the dark. The variety allowed collectors at different price points to own the design.

As a multi-faceted artist who works in graphic design, music, and visual arts through his company Colorful Filth Graphic Design, Paul brings a unique perspective to knife design. He has collaborated with companies like Northern Knives and designer Jonathan Styles while maintaining knife design as a passion project alongside his full-time work.

His signature design philosophy involves creating blades that look almost too big for the handle when open, creating a visual impact that sets his work apart.

Looking ahead, Paul has clear goals for Munko Knife Designs. Eventually, he wants to launch an OEM project under his own brand, though he is thoughtful about the responsibilities that come with that step. He promises that when he does make that move, it will be something special for the collectors who have supported him from the start. With nine production designs currently on the market, Paul Munko is a designer worth following.

Find Paul Munko online at https://www.colorfulfilth.com, on Facebook at https://facebook.com/ColorfulFilth, and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/colorfulfilth and https://www.instagram.com/paulmunko.

Listen to the full episode at https://www.theknifejunkie.com/648.

Be sure to support The Knife Junkie and get in on the perks of being a patron, including early access to the podcast and exclusive bonus content. Visit https://www.theknifejunkie.com/patreon for details. You can also support The Knife Junkie channel with your next knife purchase. Find our affiliate links at https://theknifejunkie.com/knives.

Let us know what you thought about this episode and leave a rating and/or a review. Your feedback is appreciated. You can also email theknifejunkie@gmail.com with any comments, feedback, or suggestions.

To watch or listen to past episodes of the podcast, visit https://theknifejunkie.com/listen. And for professional podcast hosting, use our podcast platform of choice: https://theknifejunkie.com/podhost.

In this episode of The Knife Junkie Podcast, Bob "The Knife Junkie" DeMarco sits down with custom knife maker and designer Calvin Richardson. Calvin is the creative mind behind the Steadfast, a popular design produced by Work Tuff Gear. They talk about how this blade updates the classic combat utility knife for modern users and discuss the release of the new Steadfast Large model.

Calvin explains his old-school approach to design, revealing that he doesn't use computers but draws everything by hand with pencil and paper. He shares his "radius rule" and focuses heavily on how a handle feels so that you will actually want to keep using the knife. He also describes the "meditative flow state" he gets into when grinding and shaping his custom pieces.

Later in the show, the conversation turns to the specific steels Calvin prefers for his handmade custom knives, like Nitro-V and CPM-154. He explains why he prefers making fighting knives over kitchen knives and gives a preview of upcoming projects inspired by military history, including his take on the MacV SOG Bowie and the Mark 3 Fighting Knife.

Guest Links:

• Instagram: @calvinrichardson.1981
• Facebook: Calvin Richardson Custom

Show Links & Sponsors:

• Support the Show on Patreon: theknifejunkie.com/patreon
• BattlBox: theknifejunkie.com/battlbox
• Launch Cart: theknifejunkie.com/launch
• Watch on YouTube: theknifejunkie.com/youtube
• Website: theknifejunkie.com

Be sure to support The Knife Junkie and get in on the perks of being a patron, including early access to the podcast and exclusive bonus content. Visit https://www.theknifejunkie.com/patreon for details. You can also support The Knife Junkie channel with your next knife purchase. Find our affiliate links at https://theknifejunkie.com/knives.

Let us know what you thought about this episode and leave a rating and/or a review. Your feedback is appreciated. You can also email theknifejunkie@gmail.com with any comments, feedback, or suggestions.

To watch or listen to past episodes of the podcast, visit https://theknifejunkie.com/listen. And for professional podcast hosting, use our podcast platform of choice: https://theknifejunkie.com/podhost.

What makes a production folder a modern classic? In Episode 646 of The Knife Junkie Podcast, host Bob DeMarco shares his personal list of 10 modern classic production folders that changed the knife industry.

These are not custom pieces or vintage collectibles. These are factory-made knives you can buy today. They are designs that set new standards, influenced other makers, and earned their place in knife history through proven performance and lasting popularity. From tactical workhorses to refined gentleman folders, each knife on this list made an impact that still echoes through the knife world today.

Bob opens with a pocket check featuring four very different folders: the Kansept Deadite, Jack Wolf Knives Little Bro, Hogtooth NoVA-2, and Cold Steel Vaquero XL.

The Knife Life News segment covers a new Civivi hobo knife, the Buck 117 Mini, and a collaboration between Melissa Backwoods and Jack Wolf Knives.

The First Tool explores the legendary KA-BAR combat knife, while State of the Collection features a Wild Turkey Western Bowie.

Then comes the main event: Bob's list of 10 modern classic folders. The list includes the Buck 110, Chris Reeve Knives Sebenza, Emerson Commander, Microtech SOCOM Elite, Spyderco Paramilitary 2, Hinderer XM-18, Cold Steel Recon 1, Benchmade Bugout, Zero Tolerance 0640, and Spartan Harsey Folder. Bob explains what each knife brought to the market, why it influenced other makers, and how it earned its place as a modern classic.

Whether you are new to knives or a longtime collector, this episode offers a guide to the production folders that shaped the modern knife industry. Listen to learn why these 10 knives became classics and what makes them worth owning today.

Find the list of all the knives shown in the show and links to the Knife Life news stories at https://theknifejunkie.com/646.

Support the Knife Junkie channel with your next knife purchase. Find our affiliate links at https://theknifejunkie.com/knives. You can also support The Knife Junkie and get in on the perks of being a patron, including early access to the podcast and exclusive bonus content. Visit https://www.theknifejunkie.com/patreon for details.

Let us know what you thought about this episode and leave a rating and/or a review. Your feedback is appreciated. You can also email theknifejunkie@gmail.com with any comments, feedback, or suggestions.

To watch or listen to past episodes of the podcast, visit https://theknifejunkie.com/listen. And for professional podcast hosting, use our podcast platform of choice: https://theknifejunkie.com/podhost.