Mark of the Maker

Mark of the Maker

Mark of the Maker is a panel discussion with renowned custom knife makers Tom Krein, Sean Kendrick and Michael Burch, and hosted by Mark Stheiner. The format is much like a group of friends sitting around in The Pit at Blade Show, talking knives - a look at life from the perspective of the maker as well as the collector. Covering broader topics such as tactical knife history, trends, industry commentary and influences of social media, as well as conversations with other knifemakers, collectors and notable figures in and around the custom knife world. Music: “noir guitar” by Stevie’s Amp Shack, from the Free Music Archive, CC BY 4.0

Episodes

October 12, 2025 91 mins

We sit down with Isaac Roesler to learn more about his adventure in starting a knife and EDC shop in Springfield, Missouri.  Springfield EDC has been around for a few years now and Isaac shares some insight into what it took to get this business rolling and what it's like trying to launch a brick & mortar knife shop today.  Find us at our Patreon and follow us on Instagram @markofthemaker or join our discussion group on Facebook fo...

Mark as Played

We managed to get the whole crew back together for a picks episode, each finding three knives with "wildcard" as the only rule.  Some of us made predictable picks, but some took the wildcard assignment seriously and colored far outside their usual lines.  Super fun one and some gems we found, so watch our FB group or have your search engine warmed up!  Find us at our Patreon and follow us on Instagram @markofthemaker or join our di...

Mark as Played
September 14, 2025 81 mins

Mark and Sean recap their participation in the Giant Mouse Grand Opening and 10 Year Jubilee.  We talk about the event and share some clips from discussions with some friends at the event.  It was a great time, the folks at GMK know how to host a fine party.  Big thanks to the GMK team for providing us a space at the Jubilee and for the hospitality!  Find us at our Patreon and follow us on Instagram @markofthemaker or join our disc...

Mark as Played
August 31, 2025 119 mins

Mark, Tom and Sean recap the 2025 Pacific Northwest Custom Invitational show.  Mark and Tom recorded a bunch of clips from the show floor so this one's got lots of great interviews and fun stuff inside.  It's a great show, be sure to check it out next year!  Find us at our Patreon and follow us on Instagram @markofthemaker or join our discussion group on Facebook for more conversation.

Mark as Played
August 17, 2025 118 mins

Traditional pocketknife maker Mike Moran joins us to talk about his work, about moving a shop across the country, and about his podcast and knife show he's hosting.  We had a fun chat, and covered lots of territory.  Give it a listen to learn more about this great maker.  Find us at our Patreon and follow us on Instagram @markofthemaker or join our discussion group on Facebook for more conversation.

Mark as Played
August 3, 2025 124 mins

Here's Part 2 of Sean's interview with his friend and mentor, Mike Franklin of HAWG Knives. Such a great conversation, this one digs deep into the world of knifemaking and Mike's position at the center of a seemingly innumerable number of critical points along the path of tactical knives and their emergence on the scene. Sit back and enjoy more of Mike's story and his incredibly interesting journey. Find us at our Patreon and follo...

Mark as Played
July 20, 2025 86 mins

This time around we bring you Part 1 of Sean's interview with his friend and mentor, Mike Franklin of HAWG Knives.  Mike shares some great stories from the earlier part of his life and his own personal journey.  Super interesting insights and Mike is a great storyteller.  Give it a listen, this is a special one for Sean.  Find us at our Patreon and follow us on Instagram @markofthemaker or join our discussion group on Facebook for ...

Mark as Played
July 6, 2025 128 mins

As we talked in the Blade 2025 Wrap-Up show, we took a second swing at it and this time we get into the Blade Show 2025 Custom Knife Awards! There are some amazing pieces and details to check out. Definitely join our Facebook group and we'll try to put up a companion post with links to all of the very talented makers we discuss. Really outstanding pieces all around. We also talk about Tom's pile of goodies he brought home from the ...

Mark as Played
June 22, 2025 97 mins

We’re chatting with Tom Krein and special guest Jarrod Franklin to give you the inside scoop on Blade Show Atlanta 2025. Tom and Jarrod share their thoughts on this year's show prep, the coolest things they saw, what they picked up, the Blade Show Knife of the Year awards, and a whole bunch more. Find us at our Patreon and follow us on Instagram @markofthemaker or join our discussion group on Facebook for more conversation.

Mark as Played
May 25, 2025 95 mins

The crew chats on a topic that is near and dear to Sean's heart - Knives in Music.  This one is a picks episode that goes in a few directions, which is very on-brand for us.  Some of these are specific knives, some are a style and some are actual physical knives related to music.  Eclectic?  That's us!  Find us at our Patreon and follow us on Instagram @markofthemaker or join our discussion group on Facebook for more conversation.

Mark as Played
May 11, 2025 97 mins

We managed to get the band back together to revisit an old favorite topic of ours - knives of the movies.  Some of you will remember Episode 10, wayyy back in 2018?  We take another run at this topic and make some picks of more cool knives from the world of the movies.  Super fun, and a few laughs along the way as usual.  Find us at our Patreon and follow us on Instagram @markofthemaker or join our discussion group on Facebook for ...

Mark as Played
April 27, 2025 54 mins

Matthew Patton joins us for a wrap-up of the 2025 New Orleans Custom Invitational show.  We discuss the origins of the show and how the somewhat unique format works.  Michael gives us some insight into the knives he got together for this invitational and what he and his family's experience was like in New Orleans.  Find us at our Patreon and follow us on Instagram @markofthemaker or join our discussion group on Facebook for more co...

Mark as Played
April 13, 2025 82 mins

Mark and Sean chat with Tom about his experiences at Blade Show Texas 2025.  Tom's always got some great stories about his trip, the things he comes across at shows and what manages to find its way home with him.  Always a fun conversation.  Find us at our Patreon and follow us on Instagram @markofthemaker or join our discussion group on Facebook for more conversation.

Mark as Played
March 30, 2025 59 mins

Mark and Michael sit down with Sean to discuss his transition from a student to an adjunct instructor. Sean shares his experiences, the lessons he’s learned, and insights into the growing demand for skilled trades professionals. A great chat we hope you'll enjoy as we continue our series on Sean's journey.  Find us at our Patreon and follow us on Instagram @markofthemaker or join our discussion group on Facebook for more conversati...

Mark as Played
March 9, 2025 98 mins

Season 8 seems crazy, but here we are!  We talk about what's happened since we wrapped Season 7, what we're looking forward to, and shows planned for the year.  There's even a stealth picks episode buried in here, talking about some great spots to find deals on some classic pieces.  Find us at our Patreon and follow us on Instagram @markofthemaker or join our discussion group on Facebook for more conversation.

Mark as Played
December 22, 2024 135 mins

It's time to wrap up 2024 and Season 7!  We reflect a bit on the year, with its ups and downs and many changes.  Then we dive into a holiday picks segment with both price point gift picks, but also one focused on makers.  Fun discussion as always, and you'll want to have your Google Fingers ready to go enjoy some of these pieces - or just join us in our Facebook group at the link below, as we'll be sharing photos there.  Find us at...

Mark as Played
December 8, 2024 136 mins

We sit and chat for a bit with "maker of things" Brian Fellhoelter.  From knives to pens, yo-yos to flashlights, Brian has just about made it all over the years.  We walk through his past, his meteoric rise to recognition in knifemaking, and on into other products in the EDC world.  An insightful conversation with Brian about his process and his mindset.  Join us in our Facebook group at the link below, interested to hear what YOU ...

Mark as Played
November 10, 2024 47 mins

Mark, Sean and Michael get together to talk about inspiration and how Sean takes some of his from both movies and books.  Good discussion about how some of these things impact Sean's work and how they're also applicable to life in general.  Mindset and more!  Share your thoughts on this with us in our Facebook group at the link below, interested to hear what YOU thought!  Find us at our Patreon and follow us on Instagram @markofthe...

Mark as Played
October 27, 2024 111 mins

Tom, Sean, and Michael share their top equipment picks for someone starting out in knifemaking. They cover a couple of price points and offer some helpful advice along the way. This episode is all about getting started as a maker and the tools you might want to consider.  Do you have other recommendations?  Be sure to share your thoughts with us in our Facebook group at the link below, interested to hear what YOU thought!  Find us ...

Mark as Played
September 15, 2024 87 mins

Mark and Sean walk you through a group of sound clips and interviews from the floor of the PNWCI show in Seaside, Oregon.  Some great conversations with folks like Grace Horne, Lucas Burnley, Will Stelter and many others.  Makers share their thoughts on the show but we get off on some other tangents as well, talking business, passion, and upcoming projects.  Share your thoughts with us in our Facebook group at the link below, inter...

Mark as Played

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