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

Find your Frontier…

Allen Surls

Instagram: @wasurlsknives

Allen Surls

Work Examples