Situated in Moore County, not far from Ft. Bragg and the highest concentration of current and former Tier 1 military operators, sits Justin Thompson Custom Knives. He produces some of the most sought-after knives across the everyday carry, tactical, and outdoor industries. With a robust lineup, there is something for everyone.
Justin Thompson Custom Knives
In a community where residents pride themselves on their support of local businesses, the omnipresent military undertones, and their patriotism, Justin Thompson earned a reputation for his knifemaking. His knives are perfectly at home on a special operator’s plate carrier to processing game in the backcountry.
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Thompson combines his formal training in tool and die making, along with the multi-generational family business of metal fabrication, to create his custom lineup. Recently, I had the opportunity to tour his facility. I got to see behind the scenes where his most popular models and a couple of prototypes are being produced.
I was greeted by Justin Thompson and his co-workers at the shop, which his father started. He showed me some of the antique tools that belonged to Thomas Edison’s apprentice, purchased at a local estate sale. Thompson is a history buff and likes to incorporate antique materials into his modern designs.
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Behind the security doors (keep in mind the parent company creates products for military vehicles) was a deep warehouse of century-old tools paired with some of the most state-of-the-art computer-operated mills, cutters, and polishing hardware you can imagine. The sound of skilled welders assembling steel pieces and forklifts sounding their warning beeps as they drove by with tons of steel interrupted the constant droning of the machines.
We made our way up to Justin’s knife shop, where I spotted more familiar grinders, buffing wheels, and Dremel tools.
An Eclectic Catalog
Justin Thompson’s knife craftsmanship does not fit into any one category exclusively. He works with synthetics, natural stabilized woods, and laminates equally well. His segmented handles are precision fit and seamless.
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His knives feature unique composites and compound edge geometries with combinations of flat, hollow, and convex grinds. Just when you think you’ve examined one of his knives for what it is worth, you notice another feature where attention to detail typically lags.
Surrounded by gorgeously sewn leather sheaths, knives in various states of completion, samples of work set aside for trade shows, and bins filled with knives for military contracts, I had my work ahead of me, picking out 3 knives to feature. With respect, each of these knives could be featured independently. I only wish I had more space to highlight them more.
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The Tactical Selection: The Ghoul
If you get to speak to some of the elite guys from (REDACTED) who put their lives on the line for this country, they will tell you they demand their gear to be top-notch and fail-proof. Justin Thompson started making a knife called “The Gremlin” that became wildly popular within that organization. It even came with a blue aluminum trainer.
Based on feedback from these men, Thompson says, “I created the Ghoul with more of a spearpoint blade because the guys from (REDACTED) asked for it specifically to better suit their needs in the field.”
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Thompson’s knives are designed with direct feedback from armed professionals who know exactly what is needed to accomplish their mission.
At 7.55 inches overall with a 3.78-inch blade with a generous swedge, the Ghoul is made from CPM-3V steel and features a scalloped G10 handle. Designed for concealed carry or compact carry on a plate carrier, the ghoul is secure in hand and incredibly stout.
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Of particular interest is the jimping found on the spine near the ricasso. Thompson laser cuts the jimping and can create chevron, skulls, and brass knuckle patterns, to name a few. The Ghoul can be purchased with a leather sheath, but it really shines in the minimalist Kydex sheath featuring a Discreet Carry Concepts Clip.
MSRP: from $450
The One for Everyday Carry: The Large Kiradashi
“I love the straight blade for utility. It always had an appeal to me, and I started making them for my leather work.” Thompson explained about his Large Kiradashi.
When I selected the model to feature in this article, Thompson pulled out a nearly identical Large Kiradashi from his pocket that he carries daily. I say “near identical” because both knives are made from Coppermai Damascus Baker Forge. No two pieces of Damascus are ever the same.
Another unique aspect of the knife is the fat carbon bolster with a copper infusion that also looks like Damascus. Making the knife even more unique and impossible to replicate identically is the end cut of micarta used as the majority of the handle scale.
The Large Kiradashi slips into the heavily tooled leather deep pocket sheath, and the weight seems to disappear. A hollow-ground blade and tapered tang, featuring pocket reliefs cut into the stock, make the larger knife feel featherweight.
The kiradashi shape makes the point incredibly strong for slicing. Despite heavy use, the personal pocket carry knife Thompson presented held up extremely well, showing no visible damage to the edge and only slight discoloration to the blade from cutting acidic food.
Measuring 7.12 inches overall with a 3.36-inch blade from 5/32-inch stock, the Large Kiradashi fits the EDC role well.
MSRP: from $375 to 550
The Outdoors Choice: The Novas
Of the knives in Justin Thompson’s workshop, the Novas really caught my eye. It isn’t the largest, at only 7.49 inches overall and a 3.71-inch blade of 5/32-inch CPM Magnacut steel. However, the Novas’ simple drop point blade and clean lines were pulling on my pragmatic strings.
I didn’t realize it until Thompson explained, but the handle of this knife is both durable and incredibly historic. The micarta is a vintage rag micarta that comes from old ball bearings that were used in place of steel. This micarta is prized for its strength, rarity, and looks. In fact, if you are looking for a knife handle that looks like wood but performs like a synthetic, you should consider it.
The Novas knife has a tapered tang, and the handles are crafted to include a couple of raised ridges on the slabs for a secure grip even when the handle is wet. Between the tang and the vintage micarta are forest green G10 liners.
The knife is held securely in a heavily tooled leather sheath with a reinforced throat and a pocket clip. Tooling compresses leather, making it even more durable and less prone to scratching. This Novas knife feels like butter in the hand and was comfortable in all grips. It’s an excellent all-purpose knife for the outdoorsman.
MSRP: from $350 to $500
Justin Thompson Offers Something for Everyone
With such a lineup of knives, it may be difficult to choose only one. Don’t worry, you will be in good company. Justin told us that many of his repeat customers are those who were issued a knife and later purchased another in a different style for EDC or field use.
Whether you buy one or end up collecting multiple, rest assured, you will own something that is incredibly unique, expertly crafted, and just as durable as it is aesthetically pleasing.
