My name is Stephen “Steve” Roney of Roney Knives. I was born in San Benito, Texas, just a few miles from the US/Mexico border. 

I started carrying a knife very early in life. It was a tool we all had and used back then. Something to be proud of and take care of. My knife was a Browning Lockback with big heavy brass bolsters. It served me well for many years and I still have it.

Growing up in South Texas I attended school in McAllen. I grew up farming and ranching for my dad. My favorite memories in my early years were working with horses and raising cattle.  Eventually I went to college and became a banker and the last twenty years I spent as a stockbroker in Dallas.

Throughout my life I have been an avid hunter and fisherman. Mostly white-winged dove, whitetail deer, quail, as well as deep sea and coastal fishing in my youth. In those days we fished at South Padre Island. There were only a few hotels and maybe a couple dozen houses back then. Times sure have changed since then, but my love for the outdoors has not. These days I fish mostly for bass on Lake Fork where I live with my wife Pat and our dogs.  

It’s fair to say that most of my experience in knives up until a few years ago was as a user and collector. I love a beautiful knife in my hand or pocket. The art, design and attention that goes into making custom knives has always impressed me.  Becoming a knifemaker was never in the plan.

When my wife and I were at a knife show in Arkansas, Casey Berryhill, a custom knife maker specializing in slip joints and lock backs asked if I wanted to learn to make a knife. I said,“Sure!”. I found out he lived 30 miles from me! It was on!

Casey taught me the ropes, and I started making fixed blades. 

Eventually, I took a liner lock folder class with longtime Texas knifemaker Johnny Stout. After that I took a class with Eliot Maldonado of EFM Knives. 

I lucked out getting to learn from a World Class Slipjoint maker and two World Class Linerlock makers. I love making hunting knives but Linerlocks have become a passion.

Most of all I must say that the friends I have made in the last few of years are the best!