Show notes
Episode 7 | Made By Hand: The Story of Walker Knife Co. & Taylor Walker | The True North Lifestyle PodcastIn Episode 7, we sit down with outdoorsman, filmmaker, and master knife maker Taylor Walker of Walker Knife Co. Taylor’s journey—from guiding whitewater rivers and fly fishing to crafting custom knives built to thrive in the toughest backcountry conditions, reveals the heart, soul and passion behind every blade he makes.🔪 Taylor’s story began with frustration over subpar commercial knives during his river guiding days. That frustration sparked a relentless pursuit of creating better, more reliable tools— made right in the woods of Maine, USA. Using cutting-edge MagnaCut steel and old-school craftsmanship, Taylor shapes knives that don’t just look good but work hard in the field.🎙 This episode also dives into Taylor’s filming Joe Kruse as they share stories from 2018 when Taylor followed Joe on hunts, falling in love with deer hunting and tracking—even though he had never deer hunted before and had no idea what to expect. Their friendship and shared experiences deeply shaped Taylor’s perspective on hunting and gear. Plus, stories of Taylor’s Pennsylvania flintlock hunt.🎙 What you’ll hear in this episode:* The inspiration and design process behind the new Trackr 2.0 knife—a first look before its official release at Huntstock* Why MagnaCut steel is perfect for hunting knives* How lessons from river gear and fly fishing influence hunting knife innovation* The art and technique of hand-built sheaths, vacuum molding, and precision CNC handle work* Real talk on edge retention, heat treatment, sharpening myths, plus two expert guides on knife sharpening and care* Insights on filming hunts and capturing authentic outdoor storytelling* Why Maine-made craftsmanship matters and how honest hunter feedback shapes every iteration* Stories from Taylor’s life guiding rivers, hunting Maine’s woods, fly fishing, flintlock hunting in Pennsylvania, and filming adventures in the backcountry🔥 Who this episode is for:Whether you’re a craftsman, hunter, filmmaker, gear enthusiast, or simply obsessed with quality tools and storytelling that perform in real conditions—this episode delivers deep insight and inspiration you won’t want to miss.Taylor is also an experienced freelance filmmaker, having worked with Maine-based organizations like High Peaks Alliance and the iconic L.L.Bean.🔥 If you’re a craftsman, gear junkie, hunter, or lover of tools that truly work, this conversation brings serious depth and inspiration.👉 Catch Taylor at Huntstock, where the Trackr 2.0 will be officially released! Plus he will be sharpening knives so bring your hunting knife and anything else you need sharpened to huntstock!🎙 Handmade Blades: The Journey of Taylor Walker —a hunter, whitewater guide, filmmaker, and self-taught knife maker—whose Maine-made blades are built to last and born from the backcountry.#CustomKnifeMaking #MagnaCutSteel #MaineCraftsmanship #HandmadeKnives #HuntingKnives #RiverKnives #SheathDesign #OutdoorGear #KnifeSharpness #CNCKnifeHandles #EdgeRetention #Huntstock #MadeByHand #WalkerKnives #TrueNorthLifestyle #HuntingPodcast #KnifeMaker #WhitetailHunters #HuntingGear #OutdoorLife #Craftsmanship #BuiltByTheHunt #KnifeMaking #MadeInMaine #Hunting #HuntingLife #BladeSmith #KnifeCommunity #KnifeEnthusiast #BackcountryGear #FieldKnives #GearTalk #HuntingCulture #WildernessSkills #KnifeCollectors