About Our Story
How it started
To Our Valued Customers:It seems like the perfect time to share with you how Koenig Knives came to be.
My interest in knives started when I made my first knife while I was still in Boy Scouts. I would also buy knives, take them apart and clean them.
My Dad took me to blade shows where I bought and sold knives. Although my father didn’t know much about knives at the time, he totally supported me by taking me to those shows.
As a kid, in order to earn money to buy knives, as well as to purchase my first knife sharpening equipment, I mucked horses for a local business and sharpened knives while living in Tucson, Arizona.
When I was 14, our family moved to Salmon, Idaho where I got a job working on a ranch. I also worked for a gold mining company in Salmon. All these jobs allowed me to pursue my passion for knives.
In January of 2013, I sat on the sofa in our family home and asked my Dad,“if I could get the money and start my own knife business would you quit your job and go into partnership with me?” My Dad replied, “in a heartbeat”! His answer really didn’t surprise me, as I always had the support of my parents and in particular my Father since I was a boy. Unfortunately, the very next day my Dad passed away suddenly from a massive heart attack.
Although I was broken hearted, I was determined to make my father’s and my dream come true.
I wanted to buy all of my own equipment and start my very own business and that takes money. At barely 19 years old, off I went to the oil fields of North Dakota where I knew there were good paying jobs. I was fortunate to work for a great company while there.
On my days off I would drive down from Williston, North Dakota to Boise, Idaho---950 miles---to work on my knife business. Then I’d drive back to North Dakota to work my long days for 4-6 weeks before my next 2 weeks off, then back to Boise to work on my knives. I did this for close to 3 years.
I then worked on my knives at a local knife company for a short period of time.
By the fall of 2016 I had the money to open my own shop. I was able to lease a building; buy a brand new Haas CNC; a surface grinder; a tumbler, a sand blaster, workbenches, drills, knife sharpening equipment,and several other necessary pieces of equipment to complete my shop and be in charge of my own knife business destiny. It has taken a lot of hard work and long hours to get to where I am today, but I am living my dream. I love what I do.
I have been blessed with good employees and a very loving and supportive family who also enjoy the knife business.
One could say I have been in business and on this journey since I was 12 years old starting with collecting, trading, and sharpening knives.
As I watch my company grow, I am filled with gratitude for my mentors, customers, family and friends. I know I am very blessed. To all of them I say “thank you!”
In closing, I’m thrilled to be able to say that my father's and my dream is being fulfilled.
Thank you for taking an interest in Koenig Knives.
Bill Koenig
Owner