Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Jarvis.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Before teaching myself to make knives I cooked professionally. As a young cook in the city, most of my money was spent at bars after my shift, but I still wanted to find a way to collect knives. So, my only logical option was to try to make my own (right?!). After a short YouTube marathon, I thought I knew what I needed to know, got me a little grinder, built a forge, and went ham. My first knife didn’t turn out very well and I didn’t even use the right kind of steel, but my passion was born.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Unfortunately, Chicago isn’t a very knife friendly city and people are often shocked and questioning what I do and why I do it. Aside from that the biggest hurdle is staying focused and continuing to progress in my craft. It easy to get distracted in Chicago.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Auxiliary Manufacturing – what should we know?
Auxiliary manufacturing is the work of me, Michael Jarvis. I make handmade custom knives in Chicago. Anything from the kitchen, to field, to fantasy.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
The most important factors for the success of my business have been that they’re proudly Chicago made and built to last.
Pricing:
- Chicago legal carry knives start at 150
- Paring knives start at 185
- Chef knives start at 400
Contact Info:
- Website: www.auxmfg.com
- Email: yo@auxmfg.com
- Instagram: auxiliarymanufacturing
- Other: https://towncutler.com/collections/auxiliary-manufacturing
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
