Allen Surls

I began my lifelong love of knife-making in 2012 during a rough time in my life. The next year, I expanded on that learning from a friend, Scott Davidson, who helped me make my first knife from scratch. I have always enjoyed working with my hands from sketching, painting, carving and furniture building to metal sculpting. Knife making was the missing component that I needed.

In 2014, my wife convinced me to leave my job as an insurance agent and pursue knife making full time. Through my growth as a knife maker, I have been blessed with learning from great makers such as Scott Davidson, Jim Merritt, John Cohea, Andy Roy, Dirk Loots and many more.

After a few years of artistic searching, I finally established my style. Since I was young, the ole-frontier, mountain men, and Native American culture have truly intrigued and captivated me. The complex simplicity and use of natural materials is what ignites my attraction to these styles.

I work hard to create an artistic knife that I hope you will feel excited to use, display or collect.

Highlights

• 2015-2016 Vice President Georgia Custom Knifemakers’ Guild
• 2016-2018 President Georgia Custom Knifemakers’ Guild
• 2016 Passed Inspection as Probationary Member The Knifemakers’ Guild
• 2016 Awarded Knifemaker’s Guild The Hank Rummel Award for Best First Year Probationary Member
• 2018 Passed Inspection to become Voting Member The Knifemakers’ Guild
• 2014 Began working for and graduated Apprentice Program at Fiddleback Forge
• 2015-2019 Vice President Fiddleback Forge
• 2019- Partner Pops Knife Supplies