Vernon Davis Sr., Guild Member Emeritus and carpenter by trade, started making knives in 1977. The young artisan sold his first knife in 1980. Ten years later, Vernon set up shop and turned his passion of knife making into a career. His craftsmanship was quickly recognized that November with a feature article from B.R. Hughes in Knife World Magazine. Only one year after opening his knife shop, in 1991, Vernon won Best Art Knife at the Blade Show & International Cutlery Fair. Vernon Sr., traded secrets and techniques with Master Knife Makers such as Bob Loveless, Jimmy Lile, Chubby Huesky, Frank Centofonte and many other Greats from the early days of the Guild. Vernon’s work was recognized not only by his aesthetic grind line at the choil but by the stamped logo paying homage to his hometown and familial ties. Retiring in 1999, his oldest pieces have turned into heirlooms and collectors items. In 2017,

Vernon’s love for knife making lured him back. Very much like riding a bike, Vernon’s work was fluid allowing him to make 30 more beautiful, handcrafted pieces. During that time, Vernon found himself an apprentice with a strikingly similar name. Vernon Matthew Davis Jr,. (Matt), made and sold his first knife in January 2019. The duo now works in harmony creating one of a kind, innovative knives. While there are almost four decades worth of history this family has, there is one legacy that remains: Davis Waco Knives.