I was born in Cherokee County, Georgia (which is in the northern part of the state). I have always lived in Georgia, except for a brief time when I was in the Navy. I started making knives in 1970, and am now celebrating my 30th year of knife making. In 1976, I joined the Knifemaker's Guild. I make all types of knives from: folders, fighters, hunters and fancy collector pieces.

I only do two or three shows per year. I try to do the Knifemakers’ Guild Show, The Blade Show (the largest knife show in the world) and the Atlanta Area Knife Show. I am a voting member of the Knifemakers Guild, the American Bladesmith Society(Journeyman Smith), the Ocmulgee Blacksmith's Guild, the Flint River Knife Club and the National Rifle Association. In 1999, I was honored by the Knifemaker's Guild, who presented me with the Red Watson Memorial Friendship Award. This award is the only award given to a knifemaker by the Knifemaker's Guild. I have won numerous awards for my knives at a variety of shows throughout my career, but the "Red Watson" award is the most prestigious I've ever received. .

My association with the Knifemaker's Guild and Bladesmith's Society has been very rewarding. The two groups as a whole are some of the most helpful folks I've ever encountered. We all share experience and information freely to newcomers. I feel it is an honor to be associated with these groups of custom knife people.

My first knives were mostly hunting knives with an occasional Bowie thrown in. My method of making knives varies greatly. I use both the stock removal method and the forging method. I flat grind and I hollow grind. Each of these methods has advantages and disadvantages. I prefer to use stainless tool steel for all of my non-forged blades with either a flat or hollow ground surface according to my specific application. My best edge holding stainless tool steel is 420-V, second is 440-V. These two steels are very difficult to work with, but they provide superior edge holding and corrosion resistance (traits that I demand in my finished designs). My favorite stainless tool steel is 154-CM. It holds an edge very well and takes a lot of abuse. I also like to work with Damascus steel, both stainless and carbon. I prefer the stainless Damascus due to its corrosion resistance. I do not make my own Damascus. I purchase it from the top makers around the world. I do my own heat-treating and then send the blades to a commercial firm for 24-hour cryogenic treatment. For handle materials, I use a variety of materials both natural and man-made; almost anything you can imagine... plus a few others!

I do my own photography with digital cameras, so the image quality you sometimes see on the site may not be flattering to the piece in question. Therefore, if what you see is not as detailed as you think it should be, let me know and we'll try to e-mail you a better image. If you see a piece here that you want to buy, you can use the online form to make your purchase... or call me directly at 770-964-1177 and we can discuss the details of the purchase. I hope you enjoy this site and will add a "Hawkins" custom knife to your collection real soon!

Regards,

Rade Hawkins

Lastly, let me thank the two people who mean every thing to me! My lovely wife June whom I love dearly, and my son Rusty, who is the "light of my life!"