Meet the Team

  • Steve Hotz

    OWNER

  • Amy Hotz

    SWAMP FOX LEATHER

  • DENNIS SMITH

    OWNER

  • KEVIN TOOLEY

    OWNER

Steve Hotz - The Maker

Steve Hotz, a passionate knife maker and a dedicated veteran, has found his true calling in the art of crafting knives. With years of experience serving his country, Steve discovered that his love for precision and attention to detail seamlessly translated into the world of bladesmithing. Each knife he creates tells a story, a testament to his unwavering commitment to excellence.

Steve's passion for making knives is evident in every step of his process. From selecting the finest materials to honing his skills in intricate designs, he pours his heart and soul into each masterpiece. He meticulously shapes and refines the steel, forging it with both strength and grace. Every strike of the hammer is guided by years of discipline and a deep understanding of the craft.

As a veteran, Steve's knives embody the values he holds dear: strength, resilience, and dependability. He knows that the blades he creates may become tools that fellow servicemen and women rely on in their line of duty. With this in mind, he ensures that each knife is not only aesthetically pleasing but also built to withstand the toughest challenges.

But Steve's passion goes beyond just creating beautiful and functional knives. He takes pride in passing on his knowledge to the next generation of bladesmiths. Through workshops and mentorship programs, he instills in others the same dedication and love for the craft that has driven him throughout his journey.

Steve Hotz, the veteran knife maker, exemplifies the profound connection between craftsmanship and passion. With every blade he forges, he leaves a lasting mark on the world, leaving behind a legacy of skill, dedication, and a true love for the art of making knives.

 

Dennis Smith - The Maker

Dennis Smith Jr. developed a deep love for the outdoors while growing up in the farmlands of Louisiana. From an early age, he spent time hunting dove, squirrel, rabbit, duck, and deer alongside his grandfathers, father, brother, uncles, and cousins. Fishing was also a regular part of his life, using trot lines and catfish traps to catch fish. His passion for the outdoors extended to camping, where he spent many nights around a campfire, building skills in bushcraft and survival.

These early experiences instilled a strong sense of discipline, self-reliance, and teamwork, which led him to serve four years in the Marine Corps. After his military service, he transitioned into a career in the fire service, continuing his commitment to duty and helping others. Today, he still enjoys hunting, fishing, camping, ATV riding, and bushcrafting, embracing the outdoor traditions that shaped his life.

 

Amy Hotz - Swamp Fox Leather

Amy Hotz, a native of Wilmington, NC, is an artisan whose hands tell the stories of tradition, history, and a profound passion for crafting custom leather goods. Growing up in the coastal town, she inherited her love for working with her hands from her father, Clynn Korney, who imparted the art of meticulous craftsmanship to Amy at a young age. Under his guidance, she learned to appreciate the significance of every cut, stitch, and detail, igniting a lifelong devotion to the timeless art of leatherwork.

Amy's creative journey is deeply rooted in the historical tapestry of Wilmington, a place where the echoes of the past reverberate through cobblestone streets and colonial architecture. Inspired by the stories embedded in the city's heritage, Amy infuses her creations with a sense of nostalgia, ensuring that each piece she produces is not merely an accessory but a tangible connection to history. Her hands, skilled and steady, breathe life into leather, transforming it into enduring works of art that bridge the gap between the past and the present.

Driven by a commitment to authenticity, Amy's custom leather goods are a testament to her unwavering dedication to preserving traditional craftsmanship. Each piece is a labor of love, reflecting not only her technical prowess but also a genuine passion for the art form. Amy Hotz stands as a testament to the profound beauty that arises when history, heritage, and hands come together, creating leather pieces that transcend time and tell a story uniquely their own.

Kevin Tooley - The Maker

A dedicated police officer with a rich and diverse background. As an Army Veteran and a Police Officer, I have spent my life serving and protecting my community and my country. Growing up as an Army “brat”, I’ve traveled the world. I joined the Army in high school and served during Desert Shield/Desert Storm. After being discharged from the Army, I began a career in Law Enforcement. With 26 years of service with my police department, I believe I have demonstrated unwavering commitment and resilience.

In addition to my professional career, I’ve been passionate about blacksmithing since 2001. This trade was initially picked up by his brother while they were doing construction together. My brother self-taught the skill and then passed it on to me, and we have both worked hard on it ever since. During a class at Black Horse Forge, Steve Hotz guided me on an excellent adventure to Blade-smithing.  Ever since then, I have been honing my blade-smithing skills with experts Steve Hotz and Ben Pittman. I am on course to achieve the ABS Journeyman Knife Certificate. During this journey, I have learned the importance of blade designs, uses, and proper treatment of the blade to stand behind it 100% in that it will perform as needed and when needed. With a background of military and Law Enforcement, I journeyed down the bushcrafting world as well, and in doing so learned that blades, properly designed and maintained, can do most jobs. Jackalope Knives' motto of “Small Knives for Big Jobs” stands to this testament.

I am also currently pursuing a degree in Business Administration and Management from Liberty University, showcasing my dedication to continuous learning and personal growth. It is important to continuously push yourself to the unknown and the difficult, and once that is accomplished, do it again, don’t ever give up, and learn from everything you do. Personal growth is important to the advancement of all parts of life.