From afar, I saw the most amazing leather wine carrier positioned high at a booth during BLADE Show. As I got closer, I saw Amy of Warlander Enterprises. Besides the stellar leatherworks, she had a plethora of knives that all looked masterfully crafted!
Warlander Enterprises, According to Amy
Warlander Enterprises
Warlander Enterprises, based in Northern Georgia, is the vision and hard work of Amy Valerious. What began as a teenage passion for leathercraft quickly grew into something far greater. By the fall of 2014, Amy had turned her creative outlet into a business, selling her handmade work on the side. After connecting with a few knifemakers, her reputation spread fast, and Warlander Enterprises evolved into a full-time pursuit specializing in custom leather sheaths.
Years of handling thousands of knives sharpened her eye for detail and sparked a new challenge. In 2019, Amy stepped beyond leather and into steel, deciding to forge her own knives. Opportunity met ambition when she apprenticed at Fiddleback Forge, working part-time over the next year. That experience became a turning point—refining her skills, deepening her craft, and pushing her forward as a bladesmith.
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Take a peek behind the curtain, and hear Amy’s take on tools, crafts, designs, and other industry trailblazers.
Hey Amy, what made you become a full-time knife maker?
Amy Valerious: Building, making, or fixing things is something I have always been drawn to from a young age. Growing up in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, I spent a great deal of time outside in the forest where we lived, carrying a knife (Swiss Army). At the time was a part of everyday life.
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How long have you been making tools?
Amy: Started making knives just over 6 years ago.
What’s your favorite design you’ve made?
Amy: Don’t really have a favorite. If I don’t like a design, it doesn’t stick around. My personal carry preference is one of the Raptor, Falcon, and Talon trio, depending on the size I want to carry.
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Which came first for you, leatherwork or knives?
Amy: Leather came long before the knives. As a teenager, I took up leatherwork as a hobby. After a decade of doing it as a hobby, I decided to try to make it a side hustle. The side hustle quickly became a full-time business, making leather sheaths for knife makers.
After handling hundreds of custom knives and making thousands of sheaths, I decided to start making knives as well. Having the knowledge and skills of both crafts allows for creating a set that flows and fits together perfectly.
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Amy, please tell us about your first knife and pattern.
Amy: The first knife was a basic 3 ½-inch drop point. I was using unstabilized wood and had no idea how to shape a handle. Let’s just say my skills, fit, and finish of the knives have come a very long way. Especially since the first one.
What’s the worst cut you ever got from making knives?
Amy: I’ve actually never been cut while making knives. I’ve been nicked by a few while making sheaths. The worst cut I’ve had from a knife was while I was packing up in the cold after a show. One of the knives slipped and sliced the back of my finger open.
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What new gear have you acquired that’s been a game-changer for Warlander Enterprises?
Amy: Rotary platen for finish grinds and stropping wheel for the final edge.
Where are your favorite places to camp and hike?
Amy: Love alpine areas, so Montana, Colorado, and Wyoming are my favorite places to hike and camp. Haven’t done much hunting, and it has all been close to home in GA.
Who in the knife and tool industry is doing it right?
Amy: Rocco Handmade, Winburn Steel, Don Nguyen, and Seth Lopez of Dire Pacific.
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How many other women are you familiar with making knives or leather goods in this industry?
Amy:
Knife makers: Jen Lint of JKK Customs, Carley of Darlington Edgecraft.
Leatherwork: Sarah of Soulbound Leather, Piper Robertson of Robertson Leather Works, and Francesca from Teton Leather Company.
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Warlander Enterprises Today
Amy and Warlander Enterprises stand as more than a leather/knife shop. It’s a workshop of grit, growth, and relentless creativity. Amy continues to expand her lineup, adding new knife styles and honing her craft with every project. Her journey proves that passion, persistence, and a willingness to learn can transform a spark into a thriving enterprise.
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