In the quiet hum of his workshop, the rhythmic scrape of steel against stone tells the story of a man who has reinvented himself—twice. Michael Jarvis, the owner and driving force behind Auxiliary Manufacturing, didn’t set out to become a bladesmith. In fact, for the first 15 years of his career, his tools were ladles and chef’s knives, not grinders and anvils.
Auxiliary Manufacturing
Auxiliary Manufacturing (AUX MFG) specializes in custom, high-performance EDC (Everyday Carry) knives. These are not mass-produced tools; they are functional works of art.
Jarvis’s journey began in the heat of restaurant kitchens, where he worked his way from dishwasher to executive chef. The discipline, precision, and relentless pursuit of perfection that defined his culinary career would later become the backbone of his knife-making philosophy.
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But life has a way of reshaping our paths. When a family health crisis prompted him to leave his role as a restaurant general manager, Jarvis turned to a hobby that had been quietly simmering in the background: making small pocket tools—especially pry bars.
What began as a creative outlet soon became an obsession. By February 2016, with his wife’s support, he set up his own shop and committed to the craft full-time.
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Made with Blood, Sweat, & Beers
“Sometimes you just need a cold one and a little creative footwork to keep things rolling. Around here, we build knives with a lot of hard work, plenty of laughs, and maybe a mini fridge mishap or two,” said Jarvis.
Jarvis, being completely self-taught, brings a unique flair to his work. Free from the bounds of formal training, he’s forged his own path through intuition, experimentation, and a chef’s keen sense for balance. Each blade he creates reflects a careful balance of proportion, ergonomics, and purpose. These skills were finely tuned from years of plating dishes where every tiny detail counts.
The AUX MFG Coffin Series
The Coffin Series isn’t just a feast for the eyes; it packs a performance punch, too. With a handle shape that locks snugly in your hand, it makes slicing and heavier cutting tasks feel effortless. Jarvis’s precision grind delivers a razor-sharp edge, and the perfectly balanced design ensures comfort during those marathon kitchen sessions. He firmly believes that a knife should feel like an extension of yourself—and boy, does he deliver!
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Giving the coffin handle a modern twist, Jarvis effortlessly connects the rich traditions of blade culture with today’s practical needs. Whether you’re a collector who cherishes vintage style or a hands-on user who craves high performance, this style handle speaks to both worlds.
The Coffin Series features a couple of notable standout models. First up is the Coffin Leaf, a drop point style blade with a bold swedge. It is perfectly crafted for everyday carry and self-defense.
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Then there’s the Coffin Tanto, which flaunts clean grinds and striking lines. What’s not to love? The compound grind creates a beautifully thin concave profile along the belly. This makes it incredibly slicey, while the robust tip retains enough heft to withstand some serious use without flinching.
However, the real show-stoppers of the Coffin Series are the Bowies!
Auxiliary Manufacturing Pocket Bowies
The Pocket Bowie EDC and XL are your go-to knives that pack a punch! Sporting an ultra-sharp AEB-L blade steel, they’re tough as nails and impressively resistant to rust. They give you fantastic performance without breaking the bank. With solid wear resistance and the ability to sharpen up on the go, these blades truly excel in functionality.
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Now, let’s talk about the handle! It’s meticulously sculpted to fit snugly in your grip, ensuring comfort no matter how you’re using it—whether you’re slicing through packages or showing off to your friends.
And to top it all off, the Pocket Bowie EDC Knife comes with a sleek black Boltaron polymer sheath. It’s riveted for durability, plus a reversible belt clip for easy carry on either side.
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The Pocket Bowie EDC comes in a compact package. It has an overall length of 6.25 inches with a 3-inch blade that’s 3/16 inches thick, boasting a sturdy 61.5 HRC, paired with a dependable G10 handle.
Whether you need a trusty tool or a stylish accessory, the Pocket Bowie is ready to shine!
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Fun With Steel
Hefty utility knife testing is plain good ol’ fun. However, let’s be real—it struggled with nylon rope and required several sawing attempts. On the bright side, it sliced through rubber tubing effortlessly, and nylon webbing and paracord didn’t stand a chance with a chest-lever grip. The edge was made for utility and a bit of havoc!
For the grand finale, I stabbed the stout blade into an ammo canister using an Ice-Pick Grip. I used a hardwood Beech baton to hammer it in and gave the blade some extra love with a back-and-forth motion. Sure, this could chip most blades, but the AEB-L steel at 61.5 HRC remained unfazed. Bam!
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Supersize My Bowie
The Auxiliary Manufacturing Pocket Bowie XL takes the classic American Bowie and gives it a modern spin. Stepping up as the bigger sibling to the EDC, the XL has a 4-inch blade and is 8.3 inches overall. Don’t let its size fool you; this pocket-friendly knife is as tough as they come, geared up for any challenge!
Like the Pocket Bowie, it features a razor-sharp Bowie blade dressed in a stylish black stonewash finish made from high-performance AEB-L steel. I enjoyed the more comfortable grip at 4.24 inches long. It also had a sculpted black G-10 handle that’s lightweight yet grippy, ensuring you stay in control even when the going gets tough.
Plus, its durable Kydex sheath, complete with a belt loop, makes for convenient carrying. Likewise, the reversible belt clip gives you the flexibility to carry it your way—left or right-handed!
Multi-Grips
Both knives felt good in several grips, with the slight edge given to the larger Pocket XL Bowie. The Ice-Pick Grip, or reverse grip edge out (RGEO), is often one of the most comfortable ways to hold a knife. With the blade facing away and the tip pointing down, it’s perfect for vertical and horizontal slashes.
This grip allows for powerful downward thrusts, like a hammer-fist, and enables hooking and pulling self-defense techniques. However, while your wrist stays locked, your reach might be limited unless you incorporate some leaning or torso rotation. This technique helps you navigate tight situations effectively.
Auxiliary Manufacturing: Sacred Knife Duty
The kitchen knife test was my way of determining whether Michael still had the skill to create a knife suitable for kitchen use, literally. While prepping onions for storage and mushrooms for an omelet, I decided on the Pocket XL Bowie for this task. Clean slices all around.
The blade sliced strips and squares cleanly, providing two distinct textures. White button mushrooms didn’t stand a chance. I sliced them evenly, avoiding any wedge splitting often caused by thick edges or dull blades. Is this a kitchen knife in a pinch or a camp situation? Yes!
Be prepared with the AUX MFG Pocket Bowies for anything life throws your way—because who doesn’t want a trusty blade by their side? These knives are 100% worthy of the title: Modern Bowie Knives!
