Payne, Travis (T-Bone Custom Knives)

Hello my name is Travis Payne (AKA T-Bone). At T-Bone’s Custom Creations I offer a wide variety of western home décor—from personalized signs, coasters, engraved photos and more—but I’ve specialized in crafting handmade knives for 20 years now. I started out making knives in high school. Like a typical country boy, I was fascinated with hunting and fishing and everything that went along with it—knives included. I’ve always enjoyed building things and thought, how hard could it be to make a knife. Naturally, I started with the saw blade. For the first year or so it was leaf springs, saw blades and disc blades and lots and lots of elbow grease! ​ Then I met Ronnie Packard. He showed me a whole new light…the belt grinder! Ronnie makes some of the most beautiful folders you have ever seen. Thanks to him I started upgrading my shop and my quality. I’ve also had the pleasure of meeting with the late Mr. R.D. Nolen of Nolen Brothers Knives. Mr. Nolen was one cool individual and a knife maker to the core. I also have him to thank for teaching me some neat tricks of the trade. Fabrication ​ All of my knives are hand cut from 440c bar stock. It’s the best of both worlds. Like stainless, it doesn’t rust, but holds a better edge and is easy to sharpen like carbon. All of my knives are hollow ground and heat-treated here in my shop to a Rockwell hardness of HRC 56-58. Lifetime Guarantee I uphold a lifetime guarantee on all my work, excluding of course the unnecessary abuse some folks resort to. For example, my knives are not designed to be used as screwdrivers, hammers, or chisels. I’ve gutted several white tail and have never had to split a breast bone using a knife as a chisel and a rock as the hammer. If you can’t do it with a sharp knife, it’s time to switch to a hatchet or a saw! This year will be my 27th year making knives and in all that time I’ve only had one come back. It was dropped on concrete and resulted in a cracked handle. I replaced it free of charge and had it back to the owner in a couple of days. Whatever it may be…knife, custom western sign, jewelry or engraving, know that I take great pride in my work and I stand behind everything that leaves my shop.