08/22/2026
A HUGE THANK YOU TO NEW JERSEY STEEL BARON!
We have some exciting news for Warriors Way.
New Jersey Steel Baron, a longtime supporter of Warriors Way, has stepped up once again and is donating the steel and water jetting services for our first full production run of 48 Recon knives.
Their support is helping us take an idea we've been working on and turn it into something that we hope can become a long-term, sustainable source of funding for Warriors Way.
These knives will be produced as a fundraiser, with proceeds supporting the Warriors Way general fund and helping us continue our mission, programs, operations, and future growth.
We're also thinking outside the box when it comes to creating long-term sustainability for Warriors Way.
The Recon is one of the production models being developed through D. Bates Knives. As production grows, D. Bates Knives will provide a dedicated place to showcase these knives and connect them with customers. 100% of the proceeds generated through our production knife program will go directly to Warriors Way, helping create a sustainable source of funding for our mission.
We're also beginning to take that idea beyond our own shop.
Crafted Edge in Asheville, North Carolina, will be carrying a selection of Recon knives, giving us our first opportunity to place these knives with an established retail shop outside of our local community.
Our hope is that Crafted Edge will be the first of many retail relationships.
The bigger vision is developing Warriors Way’s own production system has been learning from established makers and seeing how they use modern manufacturing alongside traditional craftsmanship. Investing in our CNC router was a direct result of that process. It allows us to produce consistent handle components and fixtures in-house while still doing the hands-on grinding, fitting, finishing, and craftsmanship that makes each knife ours. Makers like Compliance Edge Knives have also been valuable examples for us as we learn what it takes to move from making individual knives to developing an efficient, repeatable production process.
Instead of depending entirely on traditional fundraising, we're working to create another sustainable source of support for the organization and the people we serve.
And this first major step is possible because a longtime supporter continues to believe in that vision.
Thank you to New Jersey Steel Baron for donating the steel for our first 48 production Recons and, more importantly, for your continued support of Warriors Way and our mission.
Thank you as well to Crafted Edge for giving us the opportunity to begin putting this model into action.
We're building more than knives. We're building another way to sustain the Warriors Way mission for years to come.
