During my first year with the 101^st I spent seven of those months where a new Infantry Lieutenant should be, in the field. While learning my new "trade," I was afforded the opportunity to field test numerous knives. I quickly learned what worked and what was "hype." For the record, I never had to cut a free hanging 1" rope, chop a 2 X 4 in half or a lot of the other supposed "tests of a good blade".

However, I did use a knife for everything from cutting a splinter out of my hand, opening up ammo crates, cutting open 55-gallon drums of diesel fuel, making shelters, digging fox holes. Basically, using and sometimes abusing a piece of equipment as only an Infantryman can. This is why I chose to use custom knives, they held up much better overall than the factory knives. This is not to say that all custom knives are great and all factory knives are sub-standard, however.

I spent 5 ½" years with the 101st. I traveled all over the world, operating in some of the harshest environments on the planet. Of course I always carried several knives to field test. This allowed me the opportunity to test different steels, handle materials, etc. In addition to our constant field time in and around Ft. Campbell, I was fortunate to attend Jungle School in Panama and Northern Warfare School in Alaska. The knives I carried definitely got a good work out. While stationed in South Korea, my knives and I were tested again. As I was selected to attend SERE (Survival Escape Resistance and Evasion) training with personnel from the 1^st Special Forces Group.

In addition to my military training and experiences, I have practiced different martial arts for over 10 years. The major arts are Karate, Kendo, Hapkido and Arnis. As a compliment to the usual "empty hands" techniques, I received substantial training with the traditional weapons of these arts. While in college, I went through training to become a certified Emergency Rescue Technician and Vertical Rigging and Rescue Technician. This training used a wide selection of tools; one of the main tools used was a knife. I was selected to receive the aforementioned training after I became a Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician – Ambulance. Additionally, I am a PADI certified Advanced Open Water Scuba Diver with the majority of my experience in the Caribbean, having also dove in the Atlantic and Pacific..

All of the above led me to become a "Connoisseur" of using knives. It was at that point I felt I had a sufficient background to become a custom knife dealer. In 1987 I began Robertson’s Custom Cutlery.  My business has grown, as has my expertise in different styles of knives. In addition to attending shows in 1989, I won my first display award. Over the next 5 years my custom knife displays were awarded over 40 awards in 13 different states. I stopped displaying as I was now being asked to judge the knives entered in the competitions. To date I have been asked to be a judge at over 30 shows in 10 different states. Judging is one of my favorite activities at a knife show. Judging provides you with the opportunity to compare the work of several makers at once. Also, the majority of the people I judge with have been around custom knives for many more years than I, this experience has provided me with an invaluable education. This education has made me a very "discriminating" buyer.

After receiving this education I decided to try my hand at designing. As you can imagine my early designs were not my best. However, I kept at it and the designs improved considerably. To date, my designs have won 12 awards, including   5 "Best of Show" awards. These knives were all large fighters and sub-hilt fighters.   In 1997 Bob Neal and I introduced the custom knife world to something it has never seen before or since!  LDC Custom Knives.  This was comprised of  2 sets of 10 different folders and 1 set of 5 Fixed blades.  Among other things what made these sets unique.  Were not only the makers involved....but the fact that in order to get serial numbers 1 - 25 you had to buy the entire set.  A total of 50 were made of each knife.   The last set of knives featuring 5 fixed blades graced the cover of May 1999 issue of Tactical Knives. Bob and I were told by everyone...and I mean everyone...this concept would never work.    LDC Custom Knives grew from listening to what the collectors wanted in the way of custom knives....not the so called "experts".

In 1998 I launched my website:  www.robertsoncsutomcutlery.com. 

As the LDC project ended in, 2001 I started Vanguard Knives.   This was a departure from LDC as, while limited in numbers...there were no sets   Vanguard knives has included both Fixed blades and Folders and to date there have been 52 different models, with each one having sold out.  Much like the LDC knives, the Vanguard knives came from talking with thousands of collectors and listening to what they wanted.

In 2003 I once again provided the custom knife community with something that had never been done before...or since.  I wrote a book called "The Custom Knife Buying Guide"  The idea behind the book was to help, primarily newer collectors sort out the myriad of ideas and information that is the custom knife market.  The publication Knife World had this to say about the CKBG "This is the best $10 you will ever spend with regards to custom knives." 

In 2006, Mr. Steve Shackelford the editor of Blade Magazine was kind enough to offer me my first opportunity to write for a magazine.  My first article appeared in the fall of 2006.  I have since written numerous articles for Blade on both custom knife makers and the Business of Custom Knives.  In 2009 I was made the first and only custom knife dealer to earn the distinction of being named a Field Editor.

In 2007, I was approached by Mr. Bruce Voyles to write a regular column for Knives Illustrated.  Bruce is one of the giants of the knife business so I was flattered that he would ask me to write for KI.  My columns address 2 -3 makers each issue that I feel collectors should know about.  I am the only custom knife dealer with a regular column in any knife magazine.

In addition to writing for the magazines I have done numerous seminars over the last 15 years for both makes and collectors.

I have been involved in custom knives in one way or another for the last 26 years. Upon leaving the Army and receiving my Masters in Business Administration in May of 1995.  I started selling custom knives full time. 

Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions.   I look forward to doing business with you in the near future.

Best Regards,

Les Robertson