About Us

Raised in rural Washington state, I developed a deep fascination with humanity's oldest tool. My youth was filled with fishing and honing my bushcraft skills in the forests near my home. My cherished knives included a Swiss Army knife and a KA-BAR, a gift from a family friend who served as an Army Ranger. At its peak, my collection covered almost all practical production knives, and I've always kept an eye on the industry's evolution.

Fast forward to 2011, after 11 years in Southern California, basking in the sunny Pacific shores. As I learned to surf and explored the coastal environment, I yearned to blend the bushcraft lifestyle of my childhood with my newfound coastal life.

The market lacked stainless steel Scandi blades, so after extensive discussions on the Bushcraft USA forums, I opted for the Mora 2.0 in a neck carry configuration.

Meeting Brian Sargent of Sargent Edge Tools during a Bushcraft USA event offered me a window into the world of custom knife-making. Brian is an exceptional knife maker and artist, possessing a near-encyclopedic knowledge of the industry. He invited me to watch and take part in crafting my first custom knife, the Sargent Edge Tools M1.

Subsequent to this, numerous memorable hike-in overnights ensued, and Brian and I developed a close friendship. A few years later, I found myself in his Ventura shop, creating my very own Dorado prototype. Armed with the knowledge acquired, I set up a modest workshop in my garage and began to envision crafting my own knives.

A couple other makers who have had a big influence on me are Iz Turley(Turley Knives), Eric Krammer (Krammer Custom Knives), and Tracker Dan.

Angler Team

Biography

My great-grandfather, James C. Havens, was the action director for some of the most well-known aquatic-themed films from the mid-1950s to the 1960s, such as "Creature from the Black Lagoon," "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea," and "Mutiny on the Bounty" (he even built the Bounty featured in the film).

My grandfather, Sanford Vincent Havens, was an award-winning boat builder, recognized with the 'Best Sail Boat Hull Design' award in 1964. His most notable achievement was pioneering the original conversion kit for the Volkswagen bug alongside racing legend Bruce Meyers, as well as conducting the Baja exploratory OG mapping and uncovering some of the best features of lower California.

My father, Curtis Vincent Havens, was a top surfer at Huntington High, pioneering surf breaks like Killer Dana and advocating for the right to surf at Lower Trestles alongside Bill Hamilton. Escaping the mainstream Hollywood media hype of Southern California's surf culture, he left for the tranquil isolation of Washington's forests. He instilled in his children the original American pioneer spirit of possibility and freedom, allowing us to embrace our forefathers' desire for open spaces and new opportunities.

Raised with a strong work ethic, I found joy in spending free time in the woods with my dogs, bow, and fishing pole. Using my allowance earned from splitting wood and doing chores, I was able to gather quite the collection of knives at a young age. I found solace in knives and dreaming of the adventures of my forefathers.

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