Goodpasture Knives
Tom Goodpasture’s knives aren’t just custom—they’re personal. A Special Agent in the Virginia Criminal Bureau of Investigation by day and cutler by night, Goodpasture has been making knives for the past nine years, often incorporating meaningful materials into his creations, like handles made with antler from a young hunter’s first kill, or blades tailored specifically for the bulky equipment of an entire Virginia State Police bomb squad. His most distinctive creations may be his “file knives”—those he makes by repurposing used metal files, leaving the tool’s original surface along one edge of the blade. “I like the idea of taking an old tool and giving it new life,” says the Ashland resident. Goodpasture crafts knives of almost every style, from small paring blades to larger bowie knives with snakewood handles and nickel silver pins. “The great thing about a knife,” says Goodpasture, “is that it can be anything you want it to be.” $35-$250. GoodpastureKnives.com
See all the Made in Virginia 2014 Winners!
Style
Nordt Family Farm, Charles City
Moonrise Jewelry, Cape Charles
Awl Snap Leather Goods, Richmond
Home
Moore & Giles, Forest
Cricket Cove Soap, Glen Allen
Buckingham Slate Company, Arvonia
New Ravenna, Exmore
Fielding Archer Designs, Midlothian
Kala Studios, Arlington
Food
Rappahannock River Oysters, Topping
Red Truck Bakery, Warrenton
Pickled Silly, Richmond
Glass House Winery, Free Union
Willie Byrd Sauce, Richmond
La Vache Microcreamery Caramels, Charlottesville
FERIDIES 5 O’Clock Crunch, Courtland
Drink
Three Ships Coffee, Virginia Beach
Commonwealth Gin, James River Distillery, Richmond
1762 Port, Philip Carter Winery, Hume
Gingerbread Stout, Hardywood Brewery, Richmond
Sport
Latell Sails, Deltaville
Tad Coffin Saddles, Ruckersville
Goodpasture Knives, Ashland