034 | He Built A Custom Knife Business From Scratch | Levi Herrick

Knife Making | George Floyd Riots | Craftsmanship | Depression | FaithIn this episode of Hold This Thought, I sit down with Levi Herrick, a custom knife maker and entrepreneur whose journey took him from rural Wisconsin to building a handmade knife business in Georgia. What begins with a debate about ostriches, wolves, and snakes evolves into a conversation about craftsmanship, social media addiction, dopamine overload, and staying connected in a distracted world. Levi shares how he got started in knife making, what goes into creating a handcrafted blade, and what separates custom knives from mass-produced products.As the conversation deepens, Levi opens up about depression, isolation, alcohol struggles, and suicidal thoughts during a difficult season of isolation in Minnesota. Together we discuss community, faith, purpose, and finding hope when life feels overwhelming. We also explore the George Floyd riots, peaceful protest versus destruction, questions about Revelation and the rapture, and what it means to follow Christ. Whether you're interested in entrepreneurship, mental health, craftsmanship, or faith, this episode offers plenty of thoughts worth holding on tonorthernknifeworks.shopIG: @northern_knifeworks Chapters:00:00 Intro & The Ostrich Combat Question05:09 Favorite Animals, Pets, And Snake Stories10:43 Growing Up In Rural Wisconsin14:22 Social Media, Dopamine, And Modern Distraction23:03 Building A Handmade Knife Business29:26 Katanas, Kukris, And Large Blade Projects37:37 Craftsmanship, Woodworking, And Creating Things40:02 College, Faith, And Formative Years44:18 Living Through The George Floyd Riots50:50 Peaceful Protest, Change, And Community54:02 Faith, Identity, And Following Christ59:54 Levi's Darkest Battle With Depression01:05:00 Suicidal Thoughts, Hope, And Healing01:10:41 What Would You Ask Jesus?01:16:47 Heaven, Revelation, And Eternal Hope