John Fitzen is a knifesmith and owner of Razors Edge (368 W. 600 South). He first became fascinated with knives at age 5, when he loved to look at the Ruana bowie knife owned by his father, a former bodybuilder who once held the title of Mr. Utah. John's quest to become a knifesmith began at age 12, after he saw the 1952 movie "The Iron Mistress," a fictionalized account of the life of Jim Bowie and a mystical knife he designed from high carbonite steel and a meteorite. His career in the defensive arts has included military service, bodyguard work, working at the prison as a road crew driver and security work. He's also worked as a bouncer at clubs like the now-defunct Spanky's, where it was his job to help calm a now-legendary riot at a Madball concert in 1996. John opened Razors Edge in 2005. The hours of this knife-making and blade-sharpening shop are 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, but it's always a good idea to call ahead at 801.918.3725.

What training did you go through to become a knifesmith? In the '70s there was really no one that could teach me the art of making knives, except one person here in Salt Lake City. His name was Lou Lorenz. I used to go spend hours with him at his shop and he would tell me how to begin to make a knife. I owe a lot to this kindly old man who passed in the '90s. He taught me so much about making knives and knives in general.

Why did you open Razors Edge? I loved making knives and sharpening them. When you put an edge on a knife, people look at you like have a godlike status. There might be one out of 20 people that can put an edge on a knife. I used to sharpen all my friends' knives when we would go hunting. Now it gives me a good excuse to charge them. I also sharpen haircutting shears. It's so funny how stylists will have some crackpot that uses a Lapper machine on their shears and screw up the longevity on their shears and mess up the tips. I am these people's savior because I can totally recontour their shears the way I want to and I take less metal off. I do everything the old school way.

What are some of your favorite knives that you've designed? "The Frankenstein," "The Tank," The Fitzen Interchangeable Blade, a finger groove skinner knife and my custom skull bowies.

Where do you get your ideas for your knife designs? Everywhere. I do not buy knife magazines anymore because all these guys do is copy each other. If there is a certain knife out there, everyone starts making it! Almost every one of my knives has fightability and survivability. The knives that the troops are carrying do not have fightability but do have survivability. Things just come to me about my knives when I think of situations I could be in. That's where my cool designs come from.

What legal issues are there with carrying around one of your products? There are no legal issues here in Utah unless you try to conceal it and have intent to cause harm to individuals. I carry my knives openly, from a 12-inch bowie to a four-inch folder. I do get some weird looks, but as I say a knife is a tool. I can use it for so many things throughout the day. Plus it can be a stunning accessory with your outfit. As the beautiful girls tell me at Mac cosmetics, I accessorize very well.

What do you wish more people knew about caring for knives? Clean your knife off when you are done using it! Oil the blade and even your stainless steel knives. You can use motor oil for your blades, or for your kitchen knives use olive oil. And bring the knife in when your edge goes down. Stay away from dish washers with your knives; you can chip the edge of your blade and ruin your handles.

What are some of the services you provide that people might not expect? Lawn mower sharpening, tweezer sharpening, sword sharpening, and sharpening dentists' and doctors' tools. I keep Utah sharp!

What's one of the most interesting things that's happened to you while running your shop? One day I was in my shop and this squatty elfish gentlemen walked in and told me he was king of the elves! He wanted to commission a sword, and he heard that I was the best knifesmith in the land. I thought at first he was kidding with me, but as I talked to him I realized he was serious. We sat down and designed the sword but he decided he didn't have enough elfish magic to pay for it! So, I went along with him and told him to think about it for a while and come back in a year or two. I never did see him again. By the way, he didn't have pointed ears.

More info » www.razorsedge.us or www.youtube.com/user/FitzenKnives

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What training have you had in the defensive arts? When I was in the military I met an older English gentleman who knew how to fence and was very good with a blade. I thought I was good and hot at knife fighting but I soon found out I was not. We had chalk sticks that were six-to-seven inches long. He had so many marks on my body and I had no marks on him. He was basically using fencing maneuvers that were adapted to knife fighting. I learned a lot from this man; everything from the length of a blade to how you hold your blade and even footwork.

What do you think makes a person want to carry a knife? The romance of a knife! I don't know a single person who doesn't find one knife or another appealing to them. A housewife has a favorite knife in her kitchen and tells everyone in the house that that is her favorite knife and do not touch it. Almost every girl I know carries some kind of a folding knife. And men are so proud of the knife they carry, even if it's a small pocket knife. Most people feel naked if they don't carry their knife with them. It can be used for so many things throughout their day. A knife is a tool it is no better or worse than any other tool; it's what people can do with it.

What are the biggest challenges about owning a fine cutlery store? Trying to keep people coming in with the way this economy is right now. So many people come in with such heartfelt stories. I have this elderly lady that comes in once a month to have her knife sharpened. She came in one day after two months to have her knife sharpened but she hardly had enough money to ride TRAX. I felt so bad that I sharpened her knife for free. Everyone is having a hard time.