In a Lauderdale County workshop  hangs a sign that reads: “I was not delivered into the world in defeat nor does failure flow through my veins.”

The man who owns the custom knife shop, James Ramsey epitomizes those words. Ramsey is the owner of Ramsey Blade Works and he has traveled an unusual path to taking his passion and turning it into his business.

Ramsey, who grew up in the the county, made his first knife in 2004 while he was still working as a Meridian Police officer. He was inspired by another local artist and his journey began.

Ramsey left the police force and went back to school to become an intensive care nurse and continued to hone his knife-making craft. He made the commitment last summer to make knives full time as his own business.

He is self-taught and the end result of his work is a knife that, if taken care of properly, can become an heirloom that is handed down for generations yet still be used as a tool.

Ramsey said he strives to make “craftsman type knives that are working blades … blades that are going to be used.”

Each and every knife begins its life as a block of high carbon steel, which is transformed by Ramsey’s heart-and-soul effort. He likes the high carbon steel because it makes the knife easy to sharpen, tough and it holds an edge better.

Ramsey also uses a process to make his knives that has been around for thousands of years called differential heat treatment. This process is how the Samurai swords, which are known for their strength, were fashioned.

The handmade knives are more expensive than a knife that you can purchase at a big box store. Ramsey attributes part of the expense to the time that goes into each knife. His knives go through more than 53 separate steps with some steps having numerous steps themselves.

Ramsey said he strives to make a “handmade, American Made product” with a price as reasonable for the average person as possible. His basic R1 model starts at $112 and the prices range to the Odin model at $205. A sheath is included with all knives.

Ramsey stands tall amid the various machines and materials he uses to make his knives as he explains the process he uses to make each knife.

“You may fail 100 times, but you only have to succeed once,” Ramsey said. “Don’t let fear rob you of your dreams and experiences.”

Ramsey would know something about that. In addition to following his passion for making custom knives, he is also a storm chaser. Ramsey said he believes in giving life everything he’s got and the knives that he makes are no different.

This is part of a series that features unique artisans and businesses that call the East Mississippi/West Alabama region home. To recommend an individual or business for the feature, email editor@themeridianstar.com.

Find out more

You can contact Ramsey on his website: ramseybladeworks.com, by email: ramseybladeworks@gmail.com, on Instagram: @from_the_belly_of_the_dragon or on Facebook at: Ramseybladeworks.