05/23/2026
Featured Knifemaker – Mike Pisio.
Mike lives with his wife, Evelyn, in Kamloops, BC. He started making knives in 1996 when he was in Vanderhoof, BC, working as an RCMP officer, He met longtime Knifemaker Bob Lay, who was a Conservation officer. He asked Bob if he would show him how to make a knife. Bob gave him some 440C steel, instructions, and said, “Let me know if you need more information”.
Mike went to work with files and sandpaper, making his first knife (see first photo). Over the past 30 years, there has been a lot of trial and error and many conversations with Bob. The big change came when he acquired a used 2” x 72” grinder and kiln. Mike has carefully maintained them and continues to use them today.
All of Mike’s knives have a mirror finish. He says, “I mirror finish my blades before I heat treat them. After they are heat-treated, I soak them for a day or so in extra-strength vinegar to soften the scale. I dry them and start buffing, taking them to a 400 grit and the mirror finish.”
He is now retired, and knifemaking is a hobby that he enjoys doing for several hours each morning. When asked what he likes most, he said: “Taking a piece of steel and wood and making a functional knife that will be handed down in a family.”
Mike uses only 440C for his blades and a variety of handle materials, including stabilized wood, brass bolsters, spacers and elk antler. He makes mostly hunting knives, selling about 30 - 50 per year, mainly at BC trade shows.
Mike’s Tip #1 – “Take a blade to a mirror finish before heat treating, then soak it in extra-strength vinegar for a day or so to soften the scale. When buffing, use your bare hands so that you can feel the heat of the blade. It should not get overheated, as that will damage the blade. Bob taught me this technique.”
Mike’s Tip #2 - “You don’t need a lot of equipment or space. I have a 2x72 grinder, kiln, buffing machines, files, and a corner of the garage. Take care of your equipment, it will last for a long time.”
See more of Mike’s Knives on his Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mikesknives/
See Mike’s full story on our Website -https://www.knifemaker.ca/blogs/news/mike-pisio
