PRESS RELEASE: The Kelgin Knife Makers Co-Op is celebrating it's second anniversary as a one of a kind place. It's not a retail store, but the workshop of a group of volunteers trying to preserve a dying craft. Like so many crafts, the art of making cutting tools is fading away. But unlike other crafts, this was mans first tool and in fact nothing we have today could exist without some form of cutting tool. No Mars probe, no cars, no clothes, and no bite size pieces of a steak!

The Co-Op is located next to Smoky Mountain Knife Works in Sevierville, TN and is run entirely by volunteers. You can watch Co-Op members make knives from stone, old files, horse shoes, rail road spikes, shark teeth, sea shells, and even IRON METEORITES. It's a popular place for Scout Troops and home schoolers. The Co-Op hosts the Smoky Mountain Knife Makers Rendezvous each October. The event is free to exhibitors and the public! The Co-Op is open 7 days a week, May through December, 11am to 4 pm. More information can be had by clicking here or calling 765-969-5012. Were at 104 Knife Works Ln Sevierville, TN 37876

STORY: Two years ago Smoky Mountain Knife Works offered retired knife makers Ken and Paula Largin a rent free building next to the store. Owner Kevin Pipes gave them simple instructions, make it interesting! Ken is the most prolific living knife maker, having made over 75,000 knife blades in the past 30 years. His wife, Paula, is a famous knife maker in her own right, and one of very few women in the trade. Even their little shop has an interesting history. The over 250 year old building is the second oldest brick building in Sevier County.

Both Ken and Paula had to give up knife making several years ago due to complications from repetitive motion injuries and had focused on teaching. They were in their seventh year of full time RVing, towing their knife shop with them as they traveled. Their motor coach with shop was 65 feet long, same as a semi! Their car fit in the shop for travel, then when they pulled out the car they had a mobile display on knife making and a fully equipped shop for two, all run off solar power. They also made their own Bio-diesel to run the bus, car and generator when needed.

As they explain it.” We came to Sevierville two years ago to help some friends start Mountain Memory Tours, a little back roads tour company, we told them we could stay for six weeks. While here we stopped to say hello to Kevin at the Knife Works and asked the fate of the now vacant brick building, where we used to demonstrate once in a while. He asked us what we thought he should do with it and we said the worlds biggest knife store ought to have knife making demonstrated at the store. He about floored us when he offered us the shop on the spot, rent free, so we could teach and demonstrate our trade. We couldn't say no, so here we are!”

When asked if this ended their years of life as nomads they were quick to point out that even though they volunteer time both spring and fall, they hit the road for the winter and try to escape a bit in the late summer. “Yes, we are spoiled and very blessed” points out Paula when talking about their life style.

So what's the typical visit to the Co-Op like? When you enter, you are greeted by a Co-Op member and told to self guide yourself through the exhibits on the walls. If you want to get a closer look at any knife makers at work you may step into the shop area to watch and ask questions. They hold blade forging demonstrations throughout the day and when Ken's in the shop the youth that come in can make a deal, he will give them something very special if they are willing to learn something. He then teaches them that people once thought iron that fell from the sky was sent to Earth by the Gods in the form of lightning bolts. The truth was that man has made knives and swords from IRON METOERITES for thousands of years. Then he gives them their own little pieces of meteorite, real “shooting stars”! For those interested in learning the craft hands on, their teaching opportunities range from making a simple stone or steel knife in less than an hour to DVD courses. You can even start by digging some iron ore nearby then smelting the ore into iron, making steel from the iron, and five days later you have a knife you helped make with a Damascus steel blade that started as a hunk of rock you dug from the earth! Making Damascus steel is an ancient process of hammering and folding the steel like in Samari swords. You can watch Co-Op members make knives from stone, horse shoes, files, railroad spikes, shark teeth, sea shells and of course real Meteorites.

Scout troops and home schoolers are frequent visitors and Ken and Paula are especially pleased to see entire families make their own knives. And it's not just a “guy” thing. Paula is pleased to point out that a 5 year old girl is their youngest student so far, and ladies often find the shop interesting as well. No matter your age or gender, the history and uniqueness of the shop has something for everyone. The entries in the guest book reflect the experience best. Comments like “best part of our trip”, “WOW”, and “great and fun learning experience” tell Ken and Paula that they have created a great way to preserve the history of man's first and still most important tool. Remember, nothing we have could be made without some form of cutting tool.

If you'd like more information about the Co-Op you can click here or call 765-969-5012. The Co-Op hosts the Smoky Mountain Knife Makers Rendezvous each October. The event is free to exhibitors and the public! The shop is open 7 days a week, May through December, from 11am to 4pm. ( Since it is all run by volunteers call first before you make a special trip.) Our address is 104 Knife Works Ln Sevierville, TN 37876