We had the good fortune of connecting with RUSSELL MONTGOMERY and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi RUSSELL, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I started my own business because I wanted to build something with my hands. I really felt the need to see what I accomplished at the end of the day. Being able to take a step back and look at something and say, “I did THAT today.”

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The knives we create are functional art, they have to have form and function. We pride ourselves in the quality of materials we use and the skills behind making a functional and gorgeous knife for whatever the task is we are making a knife for. We got where we are today one knife at a time. Whether it was sharpening a block of knives, restoring an old cleaver or sword, or making a knife we have built what we have one knife at a time. And that type of build just takes time and experience. The road has certainly not been totally smooth, I have had years where sharpening and refurbishing knives took priority over making custom knives. I learned to keep going, keep enjoying what I do everyday and focus on the knife in the hand.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
First stop has to be the shop and showroom. Talk knives and handle some really cool stuff. Then, depending on the person in town, pick one of the amazing chefs we work with, either restaurant or a cool pop up someone is doing. We have some really awesome bars in town too.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would not have started making knives, or started Serenity Knives without my wife, Elizabeyta. It was her idea for me to learn knife making, she allowed me to make my first few knives in the living room, then helped clean out a different room for my first shop. And as Serenity has grown she has given more and more space and time to it. She is now working with us as well, so it is cool to see how it’s come full circle.

Website: www.serenityknives.com
Instagram: @serenityunlimited
Facebook: serenityknives
Youtube: Serenityknives

Image Credits
All photos taken by Serenity Knives.

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