Made in Virginia 2014: Goodpasture Knives, Ashland

Goodpasture Knives

A Goodpasture bowie file knife.

Tom Goodpasture’s knives aren’t just custom—they’re personal. A Special Agent in the Virginia Criminal Bureau of Investigation by day and cutler by night, Goodpasture has been making knives for the past nine years, often incorporating meaningful materials into his creations, like handles made with antler from a young hunter’s first kill, or blades tailored specifically for the bulky equipment of an entire Virginia State Police bomb squad. His most distinctive creations may be his “file knives”—those he makes by repurposing used metal files, leaving the tool’s original surface along one edge of the blade. “I like the idea of taking an old tool and giving it new life,” says the Ashland resident. Goodpasture crafts knives of almost every style, from small paring blades to larger bowie knives with snakewood handles and nickel silver pins. “The great thing about a knife,” says Goodpasture, “is that it can be anything you want it to be.” $35-$250. GoodpastureKnives.com