Houston
AI Assisted Icon
Published on February 04, 2025
East Texas Knife Shop Owner Praised Online for Refusing to Restore Nazi MemorabiliaSource: Unsplash/ David Ballew

An East Texas knife shop owner's firm stance against refurbishing Nazi memorabilia has caught the attention of the internet, leading to viral acclaim for his principled decision. Jonathan Sibley, co-owner of The Blade Bar in Edom, refused service to a couple seeking to have a Hitler Youth emblem transferred onto another knife. The exchange, which was captured on a surveillance camera within the shop, was posted online and has since garnered a significant social media response. "No, I won't do it," said Sibley in a moment from the Click2Houston report. The rationale behind the refusal was clear: "No Nazi bulls--t."

According to the information provided by Sibley, Hitler Youth knives, which were implemented during the 1930s to propagate Nazi ideology among the youth, feature a distinct red-and-white diamond emblem, often with a swastika. Firm in his refusal to promote any such symbols, Sibley offered an alternative: "I will denazify s--t, but I won't re-nazify s--t," a statement chronicled in Chron. Despite his now-viral stance and a spike in online interest, and eventual production of anti-Nazi merchandise by Sibley's wife, Rhiannon, the bladesmith remains humble, suggesting that his actions should be the norm, not the exception.

In terms of public reaction, the viral video resonated with many, garnering over 83,000 likes and prompting an outpouring of support for Sibley's stance. Additionally, Sibley's shop, which offers services ranging from knife repair to bladesmithing lessons, has gained unexpected fame. The surge in popularity even caused his Etsy store to be temporarily locked due to an overwhelming number of orders for T-shirts and candles bearing Sibley's new slogans. Despite facing some negative responses, Sibley has received significant local support, including motorcyclists passing by his shop in a show of solidarity. As reports of white supremacist and neo-Nazi activity in the U.S. persist, Sibley's stance has resonated with those opposing the resurgence of hate symbols and ideology.

"It shouldn't be worthy of the attention it's getting. It should be standard practice," Sibley said, as noted by Chron. Sibley’s personal history—as an East Texas native with a lifelong passion for craftsmanship and a commitment to education in his field—adds depth to the narrative. Offering lessons in skills he once had to learn on his own, Sibley said, "I owe that to 13-year-old me." "You gotta be who you needed when you were younger," he added in his interview with Chron.