L.T . Wright and Dan Coppins were craftsmen by trade when they decided to turn their hobby making custom knives into a sharp business idea . The Ohio-based buddies , who worked in the construction industry and shared a love for hunting and crafting , attended their first knife show together in 2007 . The duo was so intrigued that they bought knife blades and products from the grocery store to craft their own knives -- all for $ 20 or less -- as a hobby . `` We went from a hobby standpoint and we were inspired by the knife makers , '' Coppins says . Proud of their creations , the friends met one afternoon to discuss going into the knife-making business together to fulfill their shared dream of becoming entrepreneurs . Over coffee , Wright told Coppins the story of his great-great-uncle , who built a shack behind his home in West Virginia with the help of a blind horse and few tools . Thus was born Blind Horse Knives . `` The name of the company and a business model were created before a knife for distribution was even made , '' Coppins said . The legacy of a blind horse , a vision and hard work have led Coppins and Wright to craft their own version of the American dream . Devoted to turning their hobby into a small business , the pair quit their jobs and set up shop in the basement of their homes . Financially , both men agree that it was a struggle in the beginning . The duo financed their small business using their own savings . `` We never borrowed money , '' Coppins says . `` We were making a fair living before , '' Wright says . But after quitting their jobs and creating a business , `` we could n't afford a paycheck . '' There were many nights when he second-guessed his decision to start his own business , Wright says . The will came from wanting to provide jobs for local craftsmen and family , and his passion for people and knives . The two crafted knives by hand through sleepless nights in their basements and drive an hour and a half every day to meet and exchange products to distribute . With several knives and nowhere to sell them , the pair attended a gun show where they met arrowhead maker R.W . Wilson , who began to mentor the men , teaching them about handcrafting and inviting them to shows to sell their products at his station . Finally feeling comfortable with the knives they produced , the two committed Blind Horse Knives to the cutlery show BLADE , where they received positive feedback and began taking orders . As the business began to grow , their wives got onboard with Blind Horse Knives with part-time jobs . Wright 's daughter and son-in-law joined the team shortly after . They branded themselves through social media , gun and knife shows , and word of mouth . Instead of focusing on hard times and financial difficulty , the men saw the bigger picture . Asked if they were happy with the results , Coppins says the business is a blessing . `` If you have faith and believe , anything can happen . '' Much has happened for Blind Horse Knives . As of 2013 , the collaborators have their own publication , Self-Reliance Illustrated , host BHK Outdoors Radio ( a weekend show ) and own the first knife show they ever attended . Since it began , Blind Horse Knives has grossed more than $ 1 million and put 23 local craftsmen to work making 250 knives a week that have been delivered around the world , say Coppins and Wright . Their success is measured by customer satisfaction and the personal relationship fostered through every purchase . `` It 's the drive , '' Wright says , `` We develop a customer and a friend for life by always pushing to be the best . '' `` The American dream is having a house , car and family , but life has its ups and downs . The journey is what got us here . Believe in yourself and learn from the mistakes . Bad situations lead to good opportunities , '' Wright says .
Blind Horse Knives was created in 2007 by L.T Wright and Dan Coppins . The business partners were once custom stair builders and made a fair living . They started out with one knife, but soon realized that they could make more money selling them as an assortment. The business name was inspired by Wright 's great-great-uncle , who owned a blind horse .