In the heart of Richmond, Virginia, Brent Stubblefield leads a team of knife makers dedicated to crafting unique, handmade blades. A native of Mobile, Alabama, Brent started as a hobbyist knife maker in the early 2000s, moved to Richmond in 2009, and founded Join or Die Handmade Knives in 2014. Inspired by a Benjamin Franklin woodcut published in 1754, Join or Die symbolizes the idea that individuals are both separate and connected within a whole, emphasizing the importance of unity under shared principles. The goal is to revive traditional skills, lore, and craftsmanship as the foundation for a new economy and movement that highlights the value of owning fewer, higher-quality possessions and to connect with the artisans who create them. By turning a passion for craftsmanship into an artisan trade, the shop has become a hub of connection and community for knife makers across the region. From small batch production to custom, one-of-a-kind pieces, and hosting regular knife-making classes, the team comprising Jamie Sneed and Jack Bauer is building the dream, the “Hardway.” By traditionally forging blades with the finest materials and hand-sculpted edges and handles – using everything from local hardwoods to exotic materials – Join or Die produces durable, functional heirlooms designed to withstand everyday use and be passed down through generations.