New West KnifeWorks founder Corey Milligan began making knives as a hobby, and 25 years later crafts world renowned kitchen tools and knives. Photo: New West KnifeWorks.

JACKSON, Wyo. — Twenty-five years ago, New West KnifeWorks founder Corey Milligan worked as a raft guide and a line cook and making knives as a side hobby. Today, over 20 artisan knife makers shape, hone and sharpen in their 10,000 sq ft workshop in Victor, Idaho – near headquarters in Jackson Hole. Celebrate 25 years of knife making with 25% off Mini Choppers from July 29 – 31 at 625 Main Street, Park City. The shop has expanded summer hours: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. daily.

From its inception, the goal for New West KnifeWorks has been to not only make the finest quality knives in the world but also to design these tools to be works of art that inspire excellence in food preparation and beautify the kitchen.

Milligan was tired of the plain black handles on chefs’ knives and wanted to make something he was proud to use every day. The newly married Milligan purchased a two-bedroom subsidized-housing unit in Jackson, Wyoming. As a true testament to the importance of compromise, his wife agreed to let him turn the spare bedroom into a knife-making “factory.”

“I laid plastic down on the carpet, put plywood on top of that, and put a plastic screen in the doorway to keep the dust out,” Milligan said.

That plywood and plastic-covered spare bedroom was the testing ground for the chef’s knife, bread knife, paring knife, and steak knives Milligan is now famous for.

The knife factory has moved eight times since then, including stints in an old Wyoming guest cabin and a rented shop across the street from the Hells Angels headquarters in Ventura, California. New West KnifeWorks has settled into its 10,000 square-foot home in Victor, Idaho, and plans to expand production space continues. However, their forever HQ is in Jackson.

Creativity has always driven Milligan and New West KnifeWorks. Before opening his own shop, Milligan sold his knives at Art Shows all over the country, from Bellevue to Boca Raton, DC to Santa Monica, and everywhere in between.

Those years of traveling and refining knives have led to the designs being produced at the Victor factory. A perfect mix of Japanese and German knives. Sleek and thin, yet durable and hearty where it counts. Always razor sharp, of course, thanks to US-produced CPM S35VN Powder Metal Steel.

Stop by 625 Main Street to experience the peak of American craftsmanship – knives called “razor sharp and gorgeous” by Forbes. And don’t miss out on their celebratory sale: 25% off Mini Choppers from July 29 – 31!