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Todor from TDR Knives shares how he got interested in knife-making and started his path towards success with his own business, selling all around the world. 

• Can you explain who you are and what you do?

My name is Todor, born and raised in Burgas, Bulgaria, and I’m pursuing my dream (and quite successfully so far too!).
I studied math, and then land surveying (very much not my dream), but I’ve always had an interest in blue-collar jobs. I just like using my hands, getting them dirty, using all kinds of tools and machinery etc.
Turns out my hands can make cool stuff that people like, which is why I’m a full-time knifemaker now. 

• What sparked your interest in knife-making?

I always had a love and fascination for knives. I’ve tried to make some in the past, just messing around, with zero knowledge on the topic. Somehow in my head, there was always forging involved, but I never really educated myself about knifemaking, just forgot about it.

Fast forward some years later, I found out from a friend that you can buy ready-made knife blanks and put handles on them.

My fiance had a birthday coming so I decided I was gonna do something original for her.
Made her a small knife (so she can’t stab me to death with it) with a pink handle, turned out great and I was instantly VERY hooked on this whole thing.

• How did you educate yourself on the process of knife-making?

Through YouTube videos and tutorials.

There aren’t a lot of knifemakers in my town, so I just taught myself by watching and reading stuff (a lot). Plus trial and error.
Of course, over time I got to meet some very awesome people in the trade, who taught me quite a lot of little tips and tricks!

• Would you say you found your purpose throughout a series of events, or was there one particular point that marked it?

I used to work as a land surveyor 9-5 and f*ck around making knives after work.

Unfortunately, I had to become a full-time caretaker for my mom, which required a lot of time being out of the country, in hospitals etc. so I just had to quit (was fed up with my job anyway). Knife-making was something (and probably the only thing) I could do on the side, in whatever hours I decided, and actually make some money out of it, so I transitioned into doing it full-time.

Long story short, my mom passed away eventually, and I consider that the legacy she left me, in a weird way. If none of this happened, I would’ve never considered a hobby as something to try to pay the bills with. But here we are, cope and make do.

• In your experience, what are the top skills needed to be good at knife-making?

1. Have a professional interest in what you’re doing and what you’re using, don’t just go with what everyone else does/uses. Be able to educate your customers on blade steel, handle material etc.
2. Be patient. Slow is steady, steady is fast.
3. Make good photos, your creation doesn’t matter if your presentation is shit.
4. Always look cool! The same applies to your knives.

• In what ways do you promote your current knife-making projects?

Instagram, Facebook and Reddit.
It’s crazy to me how literally random people from all over the world reach out to you to buy your stuff. They have no idea who you are, never seen you, but they are interested in your craft and want to give you their hard-earned money. No bigger appreciation than that!

And on the other hand my customers of course, which I think is the best promotion you can get – word of mouth.

Hopefully, in the upcoming months, I’ll find some spare time to make my website too!

• How did you find your first customer?

I uploaded a story on my Instagram with the knife I made for my fiance, and a friend of mine asked me “Do you make knives now?”. I said “I probably will”, he said he wanted a couple – one for him, one for his dad. He gave me the courage to start what I’m doing currently, which I’m forever grateful for (Simo, thank you, brother!).

• Are you able to make a living from knife-making, or do you also have a regular job on the side?

There’s a cheesy saying – how do you make a million dollars by making knives? You start with two million.
Of course, some months you go into the savings drawer, but in general, I’m pretty happy with it.

I have new customers, customers coming back. The work has ups and downs, I’ve been doing it for ~14 months now, and we all know it’s not easy to start a business, especially making something original (and knives aren’t, so you gotta have something interesting to offer).

Been selling my stuff since day one and all my work is spoken for, so I can not complain.
Making a name, especially in a trade like this, is hard. Once you achieve it, you’re good to work your ass off for the rest of your life.

• What’s the competition like in knife-making for you?

Not much in Bulgaria. Not many sales here either.
Before I started I had a really good think about what I wanna do and how I wanna go about it. Then I just decided I’m gonna make cool shit that I like.

A bit tactical, a bit tacticool, western market oriented. I have a couple of friends who make stuff similar to mine, but I don’t consider them as competition, as we all have different styles.

Of course, you should always try to be original, which is damn difficult when you’re making knives. 99.9% chance someone has done something you thought was your idea. But that’s okay because I think style is something that can’t be replicated.

• With our hobbies and passions always evolving,  do you think you might try something new or add to what you’re doing in the future?

As you said – it’s always evolving. I’m trying new stuff with every blade I make.

With more work comes more cash, and with more cash comes more equipment which gives new options for knives. I’m all about making different stuff, otherwise, it gets boring, and boring makes you sloppy and… boring.

• Who inspires/d you?

Knifemakers – a ton of them.
People – my fiance and my customers.

• What’s your favourite book in your field? 

Knife Engineering by Larrin Thomas.

• What about knife-making gives you the most satisfaction?

The finished product. Unshaped pieces that become a thing.

And a happy customer! Can’t beat that.

• Did you hit any low points in your path and if yes, how did you overcome them?

Plenty in my life, but my work has always served as a bit of an escape. There have been some pretty tough times when my workshop served as my therapy.
And I’m quite glad for it. 

• Have you experienced any criticism so far and if yes, how do you deal with it?

That’s funny because, strangely, no. I always kinda push my customers every now and again to give me feedback on their blades, because I genuinely wanna know how they perform. They’re either absolutely happy with them, or they haven’t even used them yet (damn shame).

And just today I got some photos of a mate in the US that has 4 blades from me, he used one to bash some stuff at work, hit a gas pipe and kinda rolled the edge on the blade. Told him a lifetime warranty doesn’t cover explosions. Had a good laugh, he’s waiting on his tomahawk now so he doesn’t use his blades for dumb shit anymore lol.

• When you feel stuck, what do you do to get inspired again?

Rest for a couple of days, clear my head, design some stuff, or do some upgrades at the workshop, make some cabinets, shelves etc.

I absolutely do not work on knives when I don’t feel like doing anything. Materials are too expensive to afford f*ckups, and you definitely will have some if you’re stuck.

• Reflecting on your knife-making journey, can you share a particularly significant achievement or a moment of great pride?

It definitely was the first knife I sent overseas. It was a tomahawk actually, and as my vision for my journey in knifemaking always was to sell my stuff primarily in the US (and everywhere abroad, except Bulgaria), someone ordered a tomahawk from me. I knew that was a sign I was doing things right.

• What is the most valuable lesson you have learned while following your passion?

Cheesy again but – even if you think you may be falling out, keep doing what you’re doing. If you do all of it well, you’re gonna be okay.

• What are some of your long-term goals?

Expanding my workshop and my possibilities, being more efficient, and having a steadier income of work.

Making better blades.

Also making a million tomahawks, because I love tomahawks.

• What’s your biggest dream or ultimate goal to reach in your field?

In a way it’s art, so there is no end goal. My dream is to make knives and have people buy and enjoy them. This is already happening so I just want it to continue.

• Do you have any advice for people struggling to find their purpose?

Whenever you have a general idea of what your purpose is – try it. If it feels right, say f*ck it to all else and give your all in. If you were right, all is good, if you weren’t, you can always go back to 9-5.

• And to those who have found it but are afraid to start? 

Everyone is afraid to start (except knifemakers who start with two million $).
You need support, be it from your friends, family, your partner. Find someone who will give you courage, just a little push is all you need. 

• Lastly, where can people find you? (Links to your site/ social media account, etc.) 

https://www.instagram.com/tdr.knives/

https://www.facebook.com/tdr.knives