WHY THE FOX ?

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As a child i grew up close to a small lake, where i went fishing and explored nature almost every day with my best friend Philipp.

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The vivid forest around was not just our playground to learn how to observe, understand and use nature, but the home of a small fox-family. From day one, not only its "abnormal" orange / copper color, but also the contrast of cuteness and predator; their curiosity, playfulness, versatility, determination and and conviviality were just some of the characteristics that inspired and shaped me.

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While developing my brands name and its logo, there was no need to think about. My old, dusty sketches from childhood and its latin name "vulpes vulpes" gave the start of my journey as "VULPEX".

WHY KNIVES ?

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After having some "problems" carrying a knife in kindergarden to butter my bread or to show my early carving skills, my great grandfathers taught me how to use and respect weapons at a very early age, instead of forbidding me to use them. Thanks so much for that way!


After learning where to carry knives and where not, my almost 8 years of working as a police officer have shaped me in terms of the huge contrast of that essential but at the same time potential dangerous piece of sharpened metal.


For me, a knife has to be useful, durable and reliable. It has to be the best and safe compenion at all the tasks life brings up. So I have made it my mission to combine best possible utility with beautiful art/aesthetics by improving knowledge and techniques every day and using the best materials and design to do justice to every hand that knows how to use a knife properly. As a tool. ​

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Think twice. The weapon is the sick brain.

WHY THE COPPER PIN ?

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As a child, I grew up in a family of confectioners and bakers, as well as in a family of electricians.
So sometimes I cut bread and cakes, and sometimes copper cables. I loved that useful and fancy material at first contact.


Surely everyone remembers that first chemistry lesson at school where you had to burn the different metals over a Bunsen burner?
At least after these events, the element "Cu" had me under its spell.

I like things / people that not quite forfill to the norm. So, I quickly became friends with this metal. Unlike many other metals, it becomes soft instead of hard when quenched. On top it burns with a cool, green flame and shows amazing annealing colors like my second favourite material - titanium.
Copper also reminds me of the color of the fox somehow.


The final spark to the idea of my copper pin in the blades, was the wedding of my best friend mentioned above. I crafted him one of my first chef knives as a special gift. As a symbol of marriage and the two rings, I inset two gold pins into the blade. As I love contrasts and the material copper, my 3mm copper pin makers mark was born.

WHY JAPAN STYLE ?

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In my perspective things like courtesy, discipline, respect for nature/human beings and their harmony, simplicity/minimalism, but also sustainable technological innovation, efficiency and quality work, are honorable and to be supported values, which do not necessarily conflict with eachother when combined. ​

Especially in modern times, which have become faster and more wasteful, deep appreciation for tradition and the thousands years development of precision and traditional but also modern craftsmanship deserve the greatest respect and attention from my side.

And all this is what my german brain associates when iam thinking about Japanese culture.

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Even though it may only be an illusion in my thoughts, it still inspires, strengthens and motivates me to believe, that somewhere out there someone is ticking the same way as i do.

In my work, in my art, I always try to develop myself and learn. I try to stay true and focus on my patch, but still be creative and flexible. Like a fox on his track.

Japanese philosophies like "Ikigai", "Wabi Sabi", "Kintusgi", "Yugen" etc. fascinate me! But already certain words and terms in Japanese do flatter my tongue and my mind. ​

Mixed with some typically german elements, you will find not only Japenese aesthetic elements, but also certain terms in interpretation of this creative mix in my knives/work.

WHY 50:50 ?


You may often hear this quote in daily life... For example "Let's make 50:50 and share it", "That's a 50:50 chance" etc...

For ME this quote/ those numbers are kind of my way of living. For me there is much more meaning to this small symbols.

For me it means giving and taking.
Having chances in life to win or fail. The chance that a "failure" can be the biggest win, by getting back up and walk again.

It means sharing love and energy for me. Being respectful, thankful and helping with others and nature.

If there is darkness, there must be light somewhere. And the other way around.
It always surrounds if you take the time to look closer. Yin Yang, day n night, ups and downs, the phoenix dies and arises from the ashes. You will eat delicious food, but you can get unhealthy and gain volume. And so much more!

It's just all about the big words "together, respect, love" for me.

As you may have experienced those highest spots and darkest places in life too, you may understand the value behind it.

Because it is so powerful and important for me, I designed that special interpretation of that 50:50 some years ago in a kind of logo.

Like everything/nothing is 100% perfect, so my logo is/isnt. There aren't always straight lines in life, some will suddenly change direction, some will stop unexpectedly, but will start at a certain point again. Sometimes it's curvy, sometimes linear...
You may will be at a point where you can't understand/see the whole thing at first glance. So sometimes you need to get some distance, some change in perspective to do.

And so my 50:50 logo is.

If it is a friendship, a partnership, a knife cooperation, or first time meeting a new person or situation... For me there is always this 50:50 way of thinking. Even if it's subconscious. But it's a part of my person, my brand and my products.

You will find this logo on all of my customized line pieces. Even if some knives are not 100% manufactured by me, they are designed and customized by me, in my shop,

for YOU .

YOU . . . THE PERSON READING THOSE WORDS NOW, FOLLOWING AND SUPPORTING MY JOURNEY
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​. . . ​ IAM THANKFUL FOR YOU !!!

YOUR FOX, STEVEN.