Thank you for showing an interest in Ward Byrd's custom made knives and sheaths.  

Being an avid hunter and fisherman all of my life, I have a great appreciation for the quality and craftsmanship that go into a hand made knife, and know the need for the valuable performance of such a knife. After receiving a custom knife as a gift and using it for many years, I became interested in building my own. 

Initially I built knives for family and friends, and soon realized the genuine interest that so many outdoorsmen and women have in owning a quality, handcrafted blade.  

I sold my first knife in 2004, and have since had a rapidly growing clientele ~ from moose hunters in Canada, salmon fishermen in Washington, deer and pig hunters in Florida, to various outdoor enthusiasts here in Wyoming where I make my home and have my shop. 

When producing a knife I consider it's unique and authentic appearance with special regard toward it's reliability and function. Each blade is handcrafted from ATS-34 stainless steel bar stock, formed by the stock removal method, hollow ground with cryogenic tempering, and polished to a mirror finish. The handle materials I use are exotic woods, horn, bone, some elk and mule deer antler, man-made materials, or whatever my customer desires. They also come complete with a custom made, double hand stitched and tooled sheath from 8 to9 oz, grade 1, leather. I consider it necessary for a custom knife to be accompanied with a quality personalized sheath to enhance the knife itself.  

I would like to thank the many knife makers who are willing to share their experiences and technology through the internet. They have helped me greatly in improving my quality of knife. I would especially like to thank Mr. Willard C. Patrick of Wil-A-Mar Cutlery of Helena, MT for personally mentoring me in my learning process, and for his patience in putting up with my numerous phone calls and questions as I ran into problems while learning the procedures necessary to perfect a quality custom knife. One of the many things I have learned from Willard is that if the knife is not perfect, you have to make it perfect. This is my goal for each knife ~ that it be perfect. Not just a tool, but an heirloom to be passed down from generation to generation.