Relentless Precision. Hand finished by Jim Vandeveld
I am Jim Vandeveld - the Founder, Machinist and Knifemaker behind HMC Knives.
Based in Erie, Pennsylvania, I'm a devoted husband, proud father of seven, and a man driven by quality and craftsmanship. With over a decade of experience as a CNC hardmill machinist and injection mold maker, I've nurtured a specific set of skills that enable me to create aesthetically pleasing, ergonomic and functional products from start to finish.
HMC Knives was founded in January of 2016, but it wasn't until April of 2022 that I felt comfortable taking the plunge into full time knifemaking and manufacturing. In the last four years, I have spent countless hours honing my craft - I have been fully invested in developing efficient processes, maintaining rigorous standards, and crafting reliable and replicable parts. These exact qualities shine through in every knife I design and build.
The journey of the past few years has been a thrilling roller coaster ride, reaffirming that this is the path I was meant to follow. It has allowed me to get exceedingly more knives into the hands of my people, to connect more fully with my customers, and to focus on the nuances of this craft without the overarching time constraints that are presented with doing this on a part time basis. Most importantly, it's given me time to focus on offering premium customer service, which I believe for the most part is lacking in many segments of our industry.
When I'm not enjoying time with my family, you'll find me fully immersed in the world of knifemaking. Each knife I create becomes a canvas for my love of precise machine work, resulting in exceptional folding knives. If any spare time remains, you'll find me outdoors - I am an avid hunter and motorcyclist.
Thank you for taking the time to get to know me - at HMC, it's as much about our connection as it is about the knives. I consider each and every knife owner part of the HMC Family; there is no other way to describe it! Whether you're a longstanding collector or just purchasing your first knife from me, welcome! We're happy to have you.
