“This didn’t happen overnight,” Cote said. “It has become busy for me the last three years. I promote myself, and the internet and social media have been a big help in sales. People are finding me and they
want my knives. That’s a good feeling, too.”
Cote is known for his fillet knives and bullnose
skinners with special inlays. These are his
signature knives. These two knives are sought
after by collectors and everyday users due to
the clean fit and finish of the blades and
handles.
“They both have a unique look,” Cote said.
“When I went full-time making knives, I didn’t
make a fillet knife. I went to shows and people
kept asking me if I had a fillet knife. I realized
they were popular. My fillet knives outsell all
my other knives now. It’s a good thing I started
making them.”
Cote relies on his hands to produce a paycheque.
It takes more than a steady set of hands to make a
great knife. It takes skill, time and patience. And one more all-important element for Cote.
“My wife is a good person,” he said. “She has been supportive the whole time. She has learned the business. She encouraged me to make knives for a living. Without that, I might not be doing this. I love it. I work seven days a week. There are still a lot of things I want to make.”
“I never stopped. I grinded a lot of steel in those two years. I learned some hard lessons along the way. Then, I finally made a knife good enough to sell. It felt good. I learned it all on my own and I am proud of that.”