History of Southern Grind

In the small town of Peachtree City, Georgia, a unique blend of craftsmanship and passion gave birth to Southern Grind, a knife-making company founded by none other than musician and knife enthusiast Zac Brown. Brown's journey from a passionate hobbyist to the creator of one of the most respected boutique knife brands in the United States is not just a tale of entrepreneurship but also of American ingenuity and dedication.

Zac Brown's love for knives isn't just a passing interest; it's a lifelong passion that transitioned into knife-making in the early 2000s. This enthusiasm laid the foundation for Southern Grind, which officially began in 2010. The objective was clear from the beginning: to combine traditional craftsmanship with modern innovation in knife making.

Southern Grind prides itself on being an American company through and through. Located initially in Peachtree City, Georgia, and later moved to Cocoa, Florida after being acquired by Diamondback Firearms in 2021. The company has always emphasized local production, every knife is hand-assembled and machined in the United States, with Southern Grind handling the beveling of knives in-house.

- Founded in 2010 by musician and knife enthusiast Zac Brown

- Southern Grind was initally based in Peachtree City, Georgia

- Southern Grind was acquired by Diamondback Firearms in 2021, and moved to Cocoa, Florida

- All Southern Grind knives are hand-assembled and machined in the United States

While Zac Brown was initially heavily involved in the design process of the knives, the mantle of creativity has largely been passed on to Neil Kamimura, who continues to innovate under Brown's original vision. Recently, the company announced the Hornet, a new pocket knife design unveiled at the 2024 SHOT Show. This new model features a 3.3-inch MagnaCut modified sheepsfoot blade, known for its exceptional edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance. Its smooth deployment is facilitated by a ball-bearing pivot system. The Hornet combines a titanium frame with milled micarta handles and includes a versatile button lock with both a flipper tab and thumb hole opener.

Despite being part of a larger company, Southern Grind operates almost like a boutique workshop. Only 3-4 people work specifically on Southern Grind knives, ensuring each piece receives the attention it deserves. This small team allows the company to maintain its original standard of producing high-quality, low-batch, exclusive knives. The setup of their assembly line in Florida remains true to their original shop layout in Georgia, reflecting their dedication to consistency and excellence.

- Southern Grind unveiled the Hornet at the 2024 Shot Show

- Southern Grind operates as a boutique shop, with only 3-4 people working on every Southern Grind knife

Southern Grind's choice of materials speaks volumes about its dedication to quality. For their larger knives, they employ high-carbon tool steel renowned for its durability and edge retention. Additionally, they have embraced innovative materials like Magnacut and S90V for their new releases, even incorporating these advanced steels into updated versions of previous models. Notably, some of their most robust knives, like the grandaddy bowie and wasp throwing axe, are made from recycled sawmill blades, showcasing an impressive blend of sustainability and functionality.

The company has also engaged in notable collaborations, such as the Spider Monkey with Daniel Defense, further cementing its reputation in the tactical and outdoor gear community. Looking forward, Southern Grind continues to push the boundaries of knife making, eagerly anticipating the release and reception of its latest models, while ensuring that every product is field-tested and ready for whatever challenges it might face in the wild.

- For bigger knives, like the Grandaddy Bowie and the Wasp throwing axe, Southern Grind utilizes recycled sawblades to craft the blade

- Southern Grind has also collaborated with Daniel Defense on the Spider Monkey