Full-time bladesmith Will Hutchinson (b. 1983), known simply as Hutch, creates knives that exist at the intersection of sculpture and performance. Will finds beauty in form, material mastery, and understated elegance. Hutch balances precision, functionality, and artistry in every knife. He collaborates closely with professional chefs to design his culinary knives so that they perform flawlessly in demanding kitchens. He forges and shapes every blade with attention to detail, refining lines, curves, and geometry through years of experience. He designs handles to fit comfortably and intuitively, blending ergonomics and form. Will’s knives do more than cut — they connect maker, tool, and cook, merging the rare quality of craft meets artistry. <click to read more...>
Full-time bladesmith Will Hutchinson (b. 1983), known simply as Hutch, creates knives that exist at the intersection of sculpture and performance. Will finds beauty in form, material mastery, and understated elegance. Hutch balances precision, functionality, and artistry in every knife. He collaborates closely with professional chefs to design his culinary knives so that they perform flawlessly in demanding kitchens. He forges and shapes every blade with attention to detail, refining lines, curves, and geometry through years of experience. He designs handles to fit comfortably and intuitively, blending ergonomics and form. Will’s knives do more than cut — they connect maker, tool, and cook, merging the rare quality of craft meets artistry.
Born in Indiana and raised in a middle-class family of union pipefitters, Hutch developed a strong work ethic. At an early age, he discovered a fascination with making functional objects and tools, which led him to knifemaking. He earned a Bachelor’s degree from the Art Academy of Cincinnati and a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Montana in Missoula. His studies taught him to work with a variety of materials. More importantly, they taught him to see — a skill that guides every knife he makes.
“Ironically, both of the schools I attended were pretty anti-craft,” he notes. “I used to have strong opinions because I was indoctrinated with this ‘you have to make fine art’ mentality. But as I finished graduate school, I naturally transitioned into functional objects, even though I called them art objects at the time.” His thesis exhibition, which included handmade shoes, clothing, and other functional goods, foreshadowed the direction of his creative work.
Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail profoundly shaped Will’s perspective on endurance, responsibility, and service. That experience inspired his desire to contribute to public service, which led him to become a hotshot and smokejumper. He spent a decade fighting wildfires, a period that shaped his understanding of function, materials, and purpose-driven design. “One reason that job appealed to me was the off-season freedom to make things,” he recalls. During winters, he experimented across media — crafting furniture, cedar-strip canoes, ceramics, bags, and more — before focusing on knives for their functionality and utility. He left smokejumping to maintain his relationship, a decision that allowed him to dedicate more time to knifemaking and building his career.
Hutch began making knives seriously in 2014, starting with small fixed blades. He taught himself primarily through YouTube videos and selling knives as quickly as they were made to fund new materials and equipment. In 2022, Will transitioned to full-time knifemaking, working for Behring Made Knives for several years. He produced roughly one hundred knives annually while refining both craft and business skills. In 2025, he launched Hutch Made, producing approximately three hundred knives per year. He expanded his workshop with advanced tools, including a 2000 lb flat press, enabling him to create a hand finished semi-production line of knives. He works in both forging and stock removal, using forged carbon steel for strength and damascus patterning, and stock removal for semi-production stainless blades.
Will focuses primarily on culinary knives, designing them for daily use, whether in a professional kitchen or by the passionate home chef. His approach is based on practical ergonomics with knuckle clearance, heel shape, and edge geometry carefully considered to ensure comfort and efficiency. He selects the best steel based on each knife’s purpose and crafts handles from durable woods and composites that endure wear while complementing the blade’s design. “I try to avoid making the same knife twice,” he says. “I’m really interested in the uniqueness of each piece and in the design process that occurs over time.”
Will lives in Missoula, Montana, where the mountains, rivers, and wild spaces fuel his adventurous spirit. He spends his free time snowboarding, mountain biking, hunting, fishing, rafting, and backpacking. His adventures include rafting the Grand Canyon and exploring Patagonia and New Zealand. He enjoys cooking with friends and family and exploring remote places with his chocolate lab, Penny.
Each knife Will creates shows his dedication to functional art. His nimble blades feel alive in the hand — balanced and precise. He shapes the handles with care, ensuring perfect ergonomics with materials that complement each blade’s metal and purpose. Hutch Made knives serve as tools first, yet they bear the quiet mark of an artist who has a craftsman's eye for detail. They are creations of a highly skilled bladesmith making a living doing what he loves best.
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