This skinner was made by Walter, in the first three years of making knives.
Walter was born in Tampa Florida, in 1944. He was raised by his grandmother and grandfather. Walter was taught how to hunt by his grandmother. They would hunt for wild game, birds, squirrels, turkeys, and fish. She taught Walter how to survive in the swamps of Florida. Walter would make his own play knives. Go to the woods with his brothers and friends, they would play and camp often. As Walter got older his grandmother taught him how to also clean and cook the game. He was a very young boy when he began using knives.
Walter join the Army before he finished high school. After his military experience, Walter went to work for a company that taught him how to cut meat. He became a professional meat cutter. As a meat cutter Walter would cut down whole cows and hogs. Walter advanced to management. The market he managed became one of the top markets in the country. As an adult Walter’s hobbies were, hunting and guns. Walter’s children can remember him returning from hunting with three deer.
When Walter was a meat cutter, he had a terrible accident. He was on the ham boning line and the knife slipped. Cut his left wrist, cut nerves and tendons. After two surgeries, Walter could only move his left hand. He had no strength at all. He was given a disability rating and sent home.
Durning the time Walter was out of work, he would visit a local knife and gun store. Walter loved custom knives, in fact he owned several. Walter would tell the gun store owner, he sure would like to make a knife. One day the owner said “Walter go make a knife or never mention it again.” Walters cousin said you should make a knife. Walter said how? Walter’s cousin said he could the old fashion way. Draw file. His cousin had a small buffer. Walter still said how? I have no strength in my left hand. The cousin said tie a rag around your left hand and pull it with the right hand. This is how Walter started on his first knife. Walter would go outside everyday to work on the handmade knife, with a file. His arms would get very tired, it had been over a year since the accident and he was very weak.
Now the one thing you may not know, Walter was praying everyday for God to heal his hand. Everyday he would pray “God if it be your perfect will heal my hand.” In Dec. 1978 Walter was working on the knife and he got very hot. He thought something was wrong with hisself. He got up in a hurry, stumbled and started falling on his left side. Natural instinct, he griped the door handle and all the strength was in his hand. He started shouting, crying, and praising the Lord. God had healed his hand. Walter finished that first knife and the gun shop owner sold it. The gun shop owner ordered 8 more knives. Walter Brend’s knife making career started.
Walter was voted into the knife makers guild the first year of making knives. Walter became a full time maker in three years. Walter knew what he liked in a knife and his designs have worked well for all types of applications. Walter only discard the first knife he put on a grinder. He never messed another one up. Walter has made the statement; When I am grinding, it is as natural a breathing. Some people did not believe Walter when he said he only free hand ground. Walter went to Pops Knives for a grinding demo. On lookers were amazed. Walter has sold knives all over the world and all branches of military, and government. Walter thanks God everyday for the talent he was given. When God gives a talent, no man can deny it. Walter works in a small shop in Cullman Alabama. He also gives shop tours, then he will tell the story of how God healed his hand and gave him the talent for making knives.. Walters favorite scripture is Psalm 91
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress my God in whom I trust. Surely he will save you from the Fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers and under his wings you will find refuge. His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night nor the arrow that flies by day. Nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness not the plaque that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousands at your right hand but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. If you make the Most High your dwelling even the Lord whos is my refuge then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. They will lift you up in their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the cobra you will tread upon the lion and the serpent. Because he loves me I will rescue him. I will protect him for he acknowledges my name. “HE WILL CALL UPON ME AND I WILL ANSWER HIM; I WILL BE WITH HIM IN TROUBLE. I WILL DELIVER HIM AND HONOR HIM, WITH LONG LIFE WILL I SATISFY HIM AND SHOW HIM MY SALVATION.