BY TAYLOR OWENS

Located in the shadow of the Teton Range, New West KnifeWorks has been crafting exceptional knives for nearly three decades. What started as one man’s passion project has grown into a revered brand known for creating some of the finest kitchen tools in the world, blending cutting- edge performance with handcrafted detail. With the recent opening of their new store in Big Sky, New West continues its journey from humble beginnings to international recognition, remaining rooted in the values of craftsmanship, dedication, and a love for the process.

“I was living in Jackson Hole, working in kitchens at night while being a ski bum during the day,” Corey Milligan, founder of New West KnifeWorks, said. “I always loved cooking and the tools. I started messing around to see if I could make a knife—not just functional, but attractive.”

At a time when the kitchen knife market was dominated by utilitarian German black-handled and white-handled commercial knives, Milligan sought to reimagine what a kitchen tool could be: an object of both beauty and precision.

“This was back in the day when we didn’t have the Internet,” Milligan recalled. “I bought a book [on how to craft knives], and that’s how I started.”

Milligan then took his handmade knives to local art shows around Jackson Hole, and soon after, began selling them at craft shows across the country. His self-taught endeavor has grown into a 27-year legacy.

“It’s been a slow, steady, incremental quest to make the finest knives in the world,” Milligan said. “And today, I think we’re close.”

Their journey is marked by international milestones; after a decade of making blades in Japan, the company moved production back to the U.S. and built its own factory in Victor, Idaho.

“We learned a lot from making blades in Japan, but moving manufacturing back to the U.S. was huge,” Milligan said. “We now have so much more control by doing everything in-house.”

While each knife is finished by hand, the production process involves state-of-the-art technology and superior materials.

“To make the finest knife in the world, you need precision machine tools and hand skill. It’s a combination,” Milligan explained. “We use these precision tools to make the parts, and then each knife is assembled and finished by hand by an individual maker. It’s not accurate to say they’re 100% handmade because of the machines we use—but it’s the mix of technology and craftsmanship that allows us to make the best knives.”

New West KnifeWorks’ flagship blades are crafted from particle metallurgy steel, a material that offers unparalleled performance. While in traditional wrought steel, the harder the material, the more brittle it is, but this steel provides what Milligan calls “the Holy Grail” of sharp tools.

“It’s the highest performance steel anyone’s ever made kitchen knives out of,” Milligan said. “It has incredible edge holding, it’s super tough, and it has high stain resistance.”

The particle metallurgy steel is sourced from Syracuse, New York, and meticulously shaped and refined in the Idaho factory to create blades that are as beautiful as they are functional.

The craftsmanship behind each knife is a process of precision and care, involving around 15 hand-finished steps.

“We start with flat pieces of steel, and then in our factory, we have a giant grinder that precision grinds the blade’s bevel,” Milligan said. “We use CNC routers to shape the handles, and then an individual maker assembles the knife. The
handle and blade are riveted and glued together, and there are several hand-finishing steps, including sharpening and polishing the blade.”

The result is a high-performance knife that’s both a kitchen tool and a work of art.

One of New West KnifeWorks’ most iconic designs is the Teton Edge Santoku, a knife that captures both the functional and artistic essence of the brand.

“It has a silhouette of the Teton mountain range on the side of the blade,” Milligan said. “Not only does it look cool, but the edge helps keep food from sticking to the knife. It’s our best-seller and a great representation of where we’re from.”

With stores in Big Sky, Montana; Jackson Hole, Wyoming; Park City, Utah; Denver, Colorado; and Napa Valley, California, New West KnifeWorks has firmly established itself as a leader in culinary tools. Each store resembles an art gallery as much as a cutlery shop. Hand-forged knives are framed on the walls while custom kitchen blocks are arranged on pedestals like knife sculptures. Milligan puts the same meticulous consideration into the design of the stores as he puts into every blade.

“At this point, we’re big enough. I like to say I’m in it for the love and the glory,” Milligan said. “We’ll keep growing just enough to keep momentum going and keep people excited. But for us, it’s all about focusing on creating new, cool products and continuing our legacy of craftsmanship.”

New West KnifeWorks’ reach goes beyond home kitchens, with notable chefs and culinary professionals including chef Gabriel “Gator” Gilbeau, the chef on the TV show Yellowstone, choosing their knives for both personal and professional use.

For New West, the future is about continuing to innovate while staying true to the values that got them here. Every knife is backed by a lifetime guarantee, with free sharpening for life, ensuring that each piece remains a trusted tool
for generations.

“It’s art, it’s performance, it’s American-made, and we offer a lifetime guarantee,” Milligan noted. “Everything we make is built to last, and our customers know they’re getting something truly special.”

Whether you’re a seasoned chef, a passionate home cook, or an outdoorsman looking for a reliable tool, New West KnifeWorks has something for everyone. Their products offer a unique blend of performance, beauty and heritage that resonates with anyone who appreciates quality craftsmanship.

Check out New West KnifeWorks at one of their locations or visit them online to explore a collection of knives that will elevate your culinary experience.

Taylor Owens is a writer who spends her days running in the sun, playing in the snow, or on the hunt for the best breakfast across the West. She is based in Bozeman and is the content marketing lead at Outlaw Partners.