The Balanced Blade

When Corey Milligan considers the knives that he produces at New West KnifeWorks, he often thinks of Swiss watches. He’s compelled by the idea that on the other side of the earth, in a small town tucked into a high in a mountain valley, craftsmen assemble truly unsurpassed luxury wares. Surrounded by rugged, snowcapped peaks, they build “movements” — the highly precise gears and screws that function as the “heart” of the watch. Every detail, flawless. 

This is how Corey approaches knives.

Every knife created by New West KnifeWorks is handcrafted at their Victor, Idaho, workshop. And like the meticulously-assembled pieces clasped within a watch, every element of these blades is designed to be the best in the world. 

“Our mission is to make the finest knives in the world,” Corey explained. “A Ferrari isn’t just a super fast car, it’s a beautiful object. That has always been the thing; one, it needs to be the highest possible performance knife that we can make, but also a thing of beauty that’s a pleasure to work with every day.” It’s the artful confluence of distinctive beauty and ultimate utility.

Every blade begins with powder metal steel; a matchless balance of edge-holding strength, durable toughness and stain resistance. While this particular metallic blend is the industry standard for top-shelf hunting and pocket knives, “we are almost the only kitchen knife makers in the world who use it,” Corey said. “It’s the modern way to give you the highest performance and best balanced blades.” 

“In steel, you can dial up properties - hardness, toughness, stain resistance,” Corey explained. “You can have more of any of those, but deciding the balance you want between those three is essential in making the best knife for the job.” 

Handles are crafted from a substance known as G10 — a glass-woven fabric impregnated with an epoxy resin originally designed for electronic motherboard components — that’s utterly smooth, heat-resistant and extremely light weight. From chic black to prismatic tones, New West KnifeWorks’ handles “look super cool,  and are absolutely indestructible,” Corey summarized.  

Blades are far from the only artfully-balanced element of New West KnifeWorks’ ethos. Corey, who is passionate about pursuing mountain adventures and enjoying every drop of life in Jackson Hole, believes deeply that people work best when given flexibility and space to pursue balance in their own lives.

Inspired by pioneering mountaineer and Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard, Corey loves the quote: “Let my people go surfing.” Though the New West motto has swapped “skiing” for "surfing," the thesis endures. 

Each knife is made by one craftsperson — not an assembly line — Corey explained. And each person has a weekly quota of knives to complete. As long as the goal is achieved, makers have freedom to exercise as much flexibility in their schedules as they desire. Whether it’s making the most of a powder day or making sure to get kids to school on time, Corey cultivates loyalty and morale through encouraging true work-life balance. 

And through New West KnifeWorks’ creations, he offers that balance of joy and artisan-level creativity to home kitchens across the West and beyond. Stores in Jackson Hole, Victor, Big Sky, Denver, Park City and Napa Valley — with two more locations on the way — offer an inimitable constellation of knives, mountain-inspired knife blocks and more.  

Nearly three decades into his endeavor, Corey still thrives on the ever-evolving nature of the business. “28 years later, it still feels kind of like a start up — we’re doing new things, innovating things. But by getting a little bigger, we have money to do even more cool stuff.”

A Blade for Every Occasion

In addition to their signature lineup of kitchen and steak knives, New West KnifeWorks has partnered with some of the nation’s most celebrated chefs to create unique collaborative blades. These exceptional knives make the perfect gift for any culinary-minded person on your list, or a great addition to your own kitchen. With a lifetime warranty (and free sharpening!), here are a few that truly belong in any Western kitchen. 

The Joy Bauer 6” Chef Knife — Created with America’s favorite nutritionist Joy Bauer, this all-purpose knife brings Joy’s mission to life — making healthy food delicious and accessible for the home cook. $225

The 8” Steph Knife  — Crafted with Iron Chef champion Stephanie Izard, the creative force behind Girl & the Goat — the award-winning restaurant with cult followings in Chicago and LA — this 8” blade was made to be the G.O.A.T. of chef knives, made with MagnaCut Steel: the greatest kitchen steel of all time. $495

The Yellowstone BBQ Knife — Celebrating 27 years making knives in the Greater Yellowstone area, the Yellowstone BBQ knife is both an homage to New West KnifeWorks’ roots in cattle country and the ultimate BBQ chef knife. They teamed up with Chef Gator Guilbeau from the megahit show Yellowstone to create an essential tool for every pitmaster. $650