The often-overlooked art of knifemaking has found a champion in Casey Berryhill, an equipment operator with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) who has parlayed his sharp hobby into a bespoke business, Berryhill Knifeworks. In a journey from crafting an unassuming knife with his son to becoming an award-winning artisan, Berryhill's tale is one of edge and excellence. His venture into custom knifemaking began with his son’s desire to reproduce a rasp-turned-knife they had come across, which despite the rudimentary result, sparked Berryhill's interest in the craft, according to TxDOT.
From there Berryhill's ascent in the world of knifemaking is marked by pure dedication he first made a few sales at local events and reinvested in tools, to learning under the tutelage of esteemed knifemaker Stanley Buzek, who after an eight-hour class recognized Berryhill's commitment to the craft telling him, "You don't have to worry about paying for classes anymore, I can see this is not just a hobby for you," as TxDOT reported. Their bond has flourished into a lasting friendship, pivotal to Berryhill's growth as a craftsman.
Berryhill's dedication has certainly paid off, with 2023 being a banner year for Berryhill Knifeworks. At "Blade Show Texas" in Fort Worth, the Knifemaker's Guild crowned him "Best New Maker," and his skill in "Best Stock Removal" was also honored. Meanwhile, the Oklahoma Knife Group dubbed him "Best in Show" and awarded one of his folding knives the title "Best Folder" at their annual event, per TxDOT.
A typical Berryhill creation involves upwards of 14-16 hours of meticulous work, starting from a design concept on paper each knife is a testament of his determination to fine craftsmanship and he takes pride in the quality imbued in each piece, "When people pick up one of my knives, I want them to feel the time and effort I put into it. I want them to feel the quality," Berryhill told TxDOT.
