Taking a knife-making class at AK UNIVERSITY was a gift from our wives—a special “father-son” experience we’ll never forget. From the start, we were amazed by how many unique techniques and skills AK shared with us. It really opened our eyes to the incredible level of craftsmanship involved, especially in grinding both the blade and the handle.

The hands-on learning environment was energetic and welcoming. AK is a patient teacher with tons of positive energy. He made us feel confident, even as total beginners. He truly met all of our expectations—and then some. What stood out the most was realizing how every single step in the knife-making process matters. We came in thinking forging was the only real skill, but left with a whole new respect for the entire craft.

One of my favorite moments was seeing our blade pass the “horn chop” test—that was epic. And we were surprised and honored to be AK’s first-ever “father-son” class. Plus, discovering the laser engraving process was a neat and completely unexpected highlight.

What really sets AK apart is that he’s not just a master of his craft—he’s an exceptional teacher. In my experience, people who are skilled (like in fly-fishing, hunting, or smithing) aren’t always great at teaching. But AK is both. His energy and personality really make the whole experience special.

Since taking the class, I’ve found myself thinking more deeply about knife-making, like what metals work best for which applications. I’ve even started dreaming about making a boar spear one day—because it’s a tool you need to trust with your life. If it fails, the boar wins.

For anyone starting out, the knife-making course is the perfect place to begin. We came in knowing nothing besides what we’d seen on TV—and walked out a few hours later with a beautiful knife we made ourselves.