Steve Hoel made his first fixed blade knife in 1953. In 1974 Steve Hoel ventured to California, where he spent three days in the shop of Bob Loveless and Steve R. Johnson, who were partners at that time. This was his first real exposure to the manufacturing process of high quality handmade knives, an experience that gave him a big boost in his technical aspect.

        He also developed an interest in folding pocketknives during this period. Shortly thereafter he made his first interframe and multiblade folders. In 1978, he joined the Knifemakers Guild, and one year later he retired from his warehouse job and began making knives full time.

        When Steve made his first knife in 1953, he did not have any sophisticated tooling such as a surface grinder or a mill. His simple manufacturing methods included files,  sandpaper and drills.

        Steve was one of the first to design his knife shapes for engraving. He worked closely with the master engravers including Lynton MacKenzie and Steve Lindsay to develop the engraveable art knife design. 

        Steve says he believes he was the maker who first brought the engraver Sam Alfano into the knife world. Steve has developed the careers of many engravers and is still finding and developing new engraving talent today. His shop is now quite sophisticated and he is a master maker of inter-frame folding knives.