Rick’s journey in knife making began in the late 1980’s in a 14’ x 18’ turkey coop without any of the common, modern amenities such as heat or running water in the shop. The first knives to leave this shop were categorized as art knives with various deployment and locking methods for folders and handles with any material that he could get his hands on. Fast forward to 2005, after years of designing for major knife manufacturing corporations and producing his own models such as the Firetac, Flame, Spark, among others, the XM-18 model was born and Rick Hinderer Knives’ trajectory in the knife industry took off.
The designs for his folders were based around Rick’s real-world experience as a Fire Fighter/EMT and his use of different knives during his time as a first responder. When Rick became a first responder, this really transitioned his focus from creating art knives to designing tactical folders that he could use as every day tools and were tough as can be. Although Rick Hinderer Knives are marketed today as knives that are built to be used and can tackle any task, their design does not completely ignore Rick’s art knife history. Rick’s designs and blade grinds creates a knife with the perfect combination of aesthetically pleasing lines and toughness.
Rick Hinderer Knives often uses the term “Make It Your Own” and while the knives are built to be taken apart by the user for cleaning, Rick has taken this opportunity to encourage his customers to swap hardware and handles for an appearance desired by the user and/or more durable alternatives offered by the shop that has become known as “The Ranch.”