We just got back from an incredible trip to El Salvador, and one of the highlights was visiting a blade manufacturer that absolutely blew our minds. This isn’t a small workshop. We’re talking about a company with over 860 employees! A world-class operation with massive forges, CNC machines, woodworking facilities, and enough equipment to make any gear nerd weak in the knees. Of all things, their specialty is Machetes. They produce over 500,000 machetes every month and ship products all over the world. What impressed us most wasn’t the machinery—it was the people. From the moment we arrived, they treated us like family. They rolled out the red carpet, gave us a full tour of the facility, and welcomed us with incredible hospitality. And, I’ve never seen workers BANGING out product like that before. It was mesmerizing. You could also tell everyone was honored to be there as part of the team as compared to the local market, these are highly sought after, high paying jobs. Then came the dangerous part… They took us into their showroom. Imagine every blade, tool, and weapon concept you can think of, all sitting there waiting to be picked up. We felt like kids in a candy store. Beyond their specialty in Machetes, they can produce Axes, Spears, Yari, Naginata, Fixed Blades, Throwing Knives, Spikes, Swords, Slingshots… Pretty much anything we can dream up! And, they can source any high quality steel we specify. Now comes the hard part: What should we make first? A live Tanto? A Machete? A Katana? An Axe? Something completely different? Drop your ideas below. 👇 This could be the beginning of something very exciting. 🔥⚔️🔥

Human beings are obsessed with origin myths. The Garden of Eden. Ginnungagap. Prometheus stealing fire. Romulus and Remus. The Tower of Babel. We like beginnings because beginnings simplify things. They turn messy evolution into clean stories. They give us a single source, a sacred place, a first teacher, a hidden truth from which everything else supposedly emerged. Martial arts are no different. Every system eventually develops its own Eden story. Some are harmless. Some are cultural pride. Some are lineage marketing wrapped in historical storytelling. And some become so repeated that they eventually harden into “truth” despite very little actual evidence. Recently I came across an article discussing Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) and modern boxing. To its credit, it was more restrained than many versions of this claim, but it still repeated a familiar idea: that Filipino systems heavily shaped — perhaps even revolutionized — modern boxing footwork and movement. This is where things become interesting. Not because FMA lacks sophistication. Quite the opposite. Filipino Martial Arts contain highly refined concepts of timing, angling, rhythm disruption, transitional striking, and footwork. The issue is not whether FMA is effective. The issue is historical causation. There is a major difference between: “these systems share similar mechanics” and: “this system created those mechanics.” Martial artists often confuse the two. The article referenced the in-and-out movement associated with fighters like Muhammad Ali and suggested its roots could be traced to Filipino boxing influences in Hawaii during the early twentieth century. At first glance, this sounds plausible. The problem is that the evolution of boxing footwork was already occurring long before those influences emerged on the world stage. If we actually study boxing history, the progression is visible. Daniel Mendoza innovated movement because he had to. Smaller fighters throughout history are often forced into mobility, timing, deception, and angularity because standing still against larger opponents is suicide. Sam Langford represents another extraordinary example. Undersized for many of the men he fought, Langford developed elusive entries, explosive repositioning, and transitional movement that looks startlingly modern even today.

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We’re deep in production mode on the Kiridashi Razor. Progress is strong, but we’re taking our time. Every piece has to be flawless because "Only The Best Is Good Enough." Here’s a sneak peek inside the build. As you can see, we use high-powered rare-earth magnets to seamlessly secure the cap to the handle, creating a smooth, precise fit. No two are the same. Each handle carries its own unique grain structure, making each one a unique piece of functional art. And these aren’t even polished yet! Can’t wait to show you the final form.