Michael Vagnino - Custom Velox Folder

ABS Mastersmith

Steel: CTX XHP Stainless Steel
Handle: Anodized Titanium
Overall length- 7.75"
Closed Length- 4.25"
Blade length- 3.25"
Blade height at choil- 1"

Location- Visalia, California
Where We Bought it- Blade Show 23'

Includes a protective zippered pouch.

"I have been fortunate to enjoy a variety of work experiences in my lifetime...from cooking in my own restaurant, farming 200 acres of plums and peaches, to commercial salmon fishing off the coast of California. It wasn't until I started making knives though, that I found my true passion.

My knifemaking journey began with a forging class from Karl Shroen in 1995. The pounding and moving of hot steel and creating a useful tool was inspiring. I furthered my education under the tutorship of Tim Hancock and continue to hone my skills and strive for excellence everyday in my shop.

Knifemaking incorporates many facets that keeps it interesting for me — the design, the mechanics, the materials, but most of all, at the end of the day, I like that I’ve built something that I can hold in my hand and that someone else can use and enjoy.

I also enjoy teaching others the art of knife making. Over the years I've had the pleasure of teaching/demonstrating at various ABS hammer-ins, other knife maker's shops and classes sponsored by the NRA at Lassen Community College in Susanville, California.

As a member of the American Bladesmith Society, I received my Journeyman stamp in 2001 and my Mastersmith rating in 2003, and served as an ABS board member from 2011 to 2015."