About Us

I was born in Texas but I have spent a good part of my childhood living in countries around Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Taiwan, Singapore and Thailand). During that time I came to appreciate the way people there lived with minimal infrastructure. This helped shape some of my personality and how I approach life and training. I have always trained in some type of combative arts since I was 10 years old like Okinawan Te, Thai Boxing, Northern Shaolin and Kali. Over several decades I have had the pleasure of studying and training with some of the best instructors in their fields in both martial arts and firearms. This interest is what guided me into my current occupation. I am a professional knifemaker who specializes in tactical and defensive blades. I am one of the first knifemakers to start the tactical folder movement. I operate Elishewitz Custom Knives and Tactician Concepts with my wife Valerie.

I have been interested in knives ever since I was very young. My martial arts trainings, along with my experiences as a Recon Marine, gave me the perfect background to design both defense and utility knives.

During the time I spent at 4th Recon C Company, I was a Team Leader  in charge of a Deep Recon Platoon. I am trained in Artillery Call for  Fire, Naval Call for Fire, SOTG, Amphibious Recon and many in-company  trainings.

I have a Bachelor Degree in Criminal Justice and an Associate Degree  in Fine Arts. I started making knives part time while I was in College  and decided to become a full-time knifemaker after graduating.

I have been making knives since 1988, constantly researching, refining and developing this craft.

From an early age I was exposed and trained in various forms of art.  Some of these art forms are: acid etching, printing, drawing, painting,  architectural drafting, guilloche work and enameling. In 1985 I won the First Place at the Asian Art Fair in Singapore with a five-color  printing. I was the first knifemaker to introduce the lost art of  guilloche to the cutlery world.

After 4 years of research and study, in 2002 I began making watches. I  make everything on my watches except the movement, crystal and hands.  My goal is to eventually modify movements and construct my own hands.