I’m grateful to have the opportunity to express my passion for making things through this business. I love the process of coming up with a product idea, prototyping until it is “perfect”, and then offering it to the world. Part of my drive to run a business is pragmatic, and another part is simply because I want these sheaths to exist. As a guy who enjoys practicing bushcraft skills, it has always bothered me to settle for a sub-standard sheath. Durasheath provides an upgraded option for people like me, who are frustrated by poor retention, uncomfortable carry, and the overall mediocrity that comes with standard sheaths.
In my free time, I’ve been studying the martial art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu since 2019, and have earned the rank of purple belt. Above all, Jiu-Jitsu has taught me the value of mastering the fundamentals. In this sport, the diligent athlete who has dedicated time to the seemingly “boring” aspects of skill, will prevail repeatedly against the athlete who has spread himself thin with flashy moves. This translates perfectly to product design, in that mastery of the most important elements requires the discipline to avoid excessive featurization. Therefore, when it comes to sheaths, I maximize every aspect that improves core function, and avoid any feature or add-on that would diminish it.
My background in the knife industry started with my prior company, Hedgehog Leatherworks, which I closed in 2022 after an untimely selling of the industrial building I rented to a new owner. Right after shutting down, I was fortunate to be able to spend over two years at home with my daughter, who was newborn at the time. Those were undoubtedly the most cherished years of my life. During that time, I began planning a return with Durasheath, ushering in a switch to kydex as the core material. I’m now proud to once again serve the same great like-minded people I have known for so many years. Also in my past was the widely acclaimed Blackbird SK-5 Knife. I designed this for Ontario Knife Company, and they produced it for many years. During that time it became widely adopted by the bushcraft / survival community.
If you choose Durasheath, I am confident you'll never look at knife sheaths the same again. Everything is proudly crafted in Columbia, Missouri, USA, and painstakingly inspected before shipping to you. I’ll be ready to stand behind my work and to answer any questions you may have.
Thank you for stopping by and I wish you well in all your adventures ahead. -Paul
