A Homage to the Journey
Chopp
Chopp
For Jamison, making knives has always been about the journey.
Portland has been his home for the past fifteen years, and it’s where he learned to make knives. His collection is a record of that time: the places he’s wandered, the people he’s met, the things he’s noticed, and the experiences that have shaped the way he works.
The knives balance old-world methods and modern materials. Three wa-handled knives use traditional Japanese San Mai construction and aesthetics, paired with contemporary materials and heat-treating processes. The other three use modern high-carbon stainless steels chosen for their combination of performance and lower maintenance.
But the materials and methods are only part of the story.
Jamison looks for beauty and refinement in simplicity rather than complexity, leaving room for the marks and decisions that make a knife feel made rather than manufactured. He believes you should be able to see the person who made it. Join Jamison on a personal tour of Portland through his Signature collection, a Homage to the Journey.
Gyuto
Trillium
Trillium is named for both the iconic lake with a stunning view of Mt. Hood and a native flower known for its three-petaled bloom. The flower can take years to mature, much like the skills of a bladesmith. That patience is reflected in this gyuto, which is designed for delicate, precise work. A holly bolster echoes the flower’s crisp white petals, while local black walnut brings warmth to the handle.
Santoku
Old Fashioned
The Old Fashioned is a tribute to Portland’s food and drink scene, and to a cocktail that’s a classic for a reason. Like the drink you order when you can’t decide, this santoku is a dependable kitchen staple, versatile enough for heavy prep and fine detail. It’s a fitting nod to the restaurants, food carts, breweries, cideries, and distilleries that make Portland such an outstanding culinary environment.
Petty
Swift
Every September, Vaux Swifts gather above Portland before diving into the chimney of Chapman Elementary School for the night. Jamison used to walk past the school on his way to his old shop, watching the birds make their evening descent. The Swift petty takes its name from those small, quick-moving birds. Nimble and precise, it’s built for the kind of detail work where a little agility goes a long way.
Chef
Cathedral
Nestled beneath the St. Johns Bridge in North Portland, Cathedral Park takes its name from the bridge’s soaring arches, reminiscent of Gothic cathedral architecture. An iconic North Portland landmark, and a defining part of the neighborhood both Jamison and Acre call home, the bridge gives the Cathedral its shape. Its broad, leaf-shaped tip echoes the graceful arches, while jade and evergreen liners draw from the bridge’s distinctive color. The Cathedral chef knife is a beautiful option for cooks who want an easy-to-use, low-maintenance tool.
Boning
Muirhead
The Muirhead is named for Rodney Muirhead, a longtime presence in Portland’s barbecue scene. He approached Jamison with the custom knife request that became one of Jamison’s longest-running and best-selling patterns. The knife is a thank-you to Rodney, but also to the larger community that made it possible. Portland has a long tradition of cooks supporting makers and makers supporting cooks, and the Muirhead is part of that exchange. Its rigid, narrow blade provides leverage and control when cutting through tough meat and connective tissue, making it especially well suited to breaking down larger cuts of meat and trimming brisket.
Drop Point
Wildwood
The Wildwood Trail runs for 30 miles in Forest Park, one of the largest urban forests in the country. For years, it was one of Jamison’s regular hiking routes while he lived in Portland’s Northwest District. The trail moves through dense forest before connecting back to the city, making it an easy escape without ever going far. Jamison’s Wildwood drop point is made in much the same spirit: a capable outdoor knife for getting out of the kitchen and into the woods.
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GET TO KNOW US
Six bladesmiths. Six perspectives. One shared goal of making exceptional knives for you to create and work with.
From stock removal to forging and forge welding, each maker brings their own techniques and experiences to the craft. Together, they make up the people behind Acre.