BootHill Blades Offers Knife-Making Classes for Aspiring Bladesmiths

In this year’s Food Issue of the Scene, I introduced many of you to BootHill Blades, the husband-and-wife operation in LaFayette, Ky. where Jared and Kylee Thatcher create some of the most sought-after knives and kitchen tools that you can imagine. To give you an idea of the demand for their wares, at the time of publication, I warned that their waiting list for custom order blades was already out to 2023. Well, scratch that.

Maybe you can attribute it to the power of the press (probably not) but their lead time for special orders has already stretched to mid-2024, and they only had five knives to offer in their last monthly newsletter, so you’ve got to have pretty quick typing fingers, plus have a few hundred bucks laying around to even consider acquiring one of their beautiful and utilitarian blades for your own kitchen or restaurant.

So the Thatchers have something else to offer you if you just can't wait your turn on the ever-lengthening list. They’re planning to share their knifesmithing expertise in special classes conducted this fall and winter at their facility in LaFayette. If you ever get the chance to meet the engaging couple in person, you know that they are just down-to-earth, down-home good people, and that’s demonstrated in their listing of what your $750 class fee includes.

In addition to transportation to and from the airport (I’m assuming BNA and not some cropduster field in Christian County), two to three nights of lodging and all your meals, instruction and materials, the Thatchers make it a point to mention that tuition includes “1 case of domestic beer of your choice.” I just love those kids!

If you’re gonna make the schlep to LaFayette, the Thatchers want to show you everything that the area has to offer, so they’re also offering some fun optional add-on experiences. Here’s your menu of possibilities:

• Over-the-fire catered dinner by a renowned Nashville chef: $75 per person; can schedule the dinner for Friday or Saturday evening.
• Clay shooting (guns, ammo, hearing/eye protection provided): $50 per person; can schedule for Friday or Saturday afternoon.
• Allocated Bourbon Flights/Tasting: $100 per person (think Pappy Van Winkle, BTAC, and other hard to find Bourbon/Rye).

I don’t know about y’all, but I’d make the drive just to take part in any or all of these extra experiences, but the chance to come home with my own blade made by hand under the guidance of these masters makes this a truly extraordinary opportunity.

If you agree, check your calendar to see if any of these dates are free: 

October 8-11

October 22-24

December 3-5

December 10-12

December 17-19

January 7-9

January 14-17

January 21-23

A $200 deposit is required to hold your spot in a class, and you can

to check on availability.