No Scrap Knives, Only Smaller Ones

There is nothing worse than getting to the final assembly and realizing the geometry is off. You’ve got lock stick. Or maybe the action feels like it’s full of sand no matter how much you lube it. That isn't just annoying; it’s expensive. Every minute you spend troubleshooting a finished knife is time you aren't making new ones. And if that knife makes it to a customer and has to be returned? You lose money, and you lose trust. In the Masterclass, we stop guessing and start fixing. I help you diagnose and solve the specific issues that kill your efficiency: Lock Stick & Slip: Dialing in the geometry so it’s safe and smooth. Gritty Action: Finding the friction points. Lock Rock: Eliminating play without scrapping the blade. Process Speed: Stop wasting time on rework.

Industrial-Grade Design

Move beyond basic grinding. We cover the entire R&D lifecycle: from 3D scanning and rapid prototyping on SLA printers to complex Multi-axis CNC strategies. Learn the exact CAD/CAM workflows used for the Kwaiback and Iron Spear product lines..

Profitable Operations

Most makers fail at business, not craftsmanship. We open the books on Module 6: pricing strategies, calculating COGS, navigating advertising bans, and managing D2C vs. Wholesale mix . Stop being a hobbyist; start being a CEO.

Access to Legends

You aren't just learning from Jake Hoback. The "Expert Series" puts you in the room with industry titans. Get decades of combined trade secrets in a single subscription.

From Your First Grind to High-End Production.

I designed the Hoback Masterclass to be the resource I wish I had 25 years ago. Whether you are grinding your first spark or running a full-scale shop, I have built this curriculum to meet you exactly where you are. I’m here to teach you the entire spectrum. Yes, we cover the art of the grind—how to shape steel and bevel a blade. But we also cover the engineering and business systems that turn a knife into a career. Here is who belongs in this shop: The Beginner: You’ve never touched a belt grinder, or you just started. I’ll start you on the "First Chips" series. We focus on safety, fundamental grinds, and building a fixed blade correctly from day one. No bad habits, just solid foundations. The Semi-Pro: You make good knives, but you’re stuck. You need to speed up your workflow, understand lock geometry so you stop scrapping parts, or figure out the business side (Pricing, COGS) to finally quit your day job. The Enthusiast: You might never turn on a machine, and that's fine. You own a Kwaiback or a Sumo and you want to see the "how." This is your backstage pass to see the design logic, the CNC machining, and the 3D prototyping that goes into the gear you carry. The Professional: You’re already good. Now you want to be dangerous. I’m opening up the "Consultant’s Vault"—the same advanced OEM strategies, fixturing, and tolerance stacking techniques I use when I consult for the biggest knife companies in the world. This is where you find that final 1% edge.

Jake Hoback

Machinist. Designer. Inventor. Business Owner. I didn’t learn this trade from a textbook. For the last 2 decades, I’ve been a professional machinist inventor, and designer, building Hoback Customs into a global brand. But my work goes beyond my own logo—I’ve consulted for, collaborated with, and OEM’d critical parts for some of the top knife-making companies in the industry. Making knives is only half the battle. I also run Iron Spear Outfitters (manufacturing military comms gear) and Stone Field Farms (a 40 acre farm). I know the reality of production—whether it’s rapid prototyping on SLA printers, running 4-axis CNC strategies, or managing the logistics of a 42-acre operation. I built this Masterclass to cut through the noise. I’m giving you the systems, CAD files, and business SOPs I use every day to keep my companies profitable. No fluff, just the standard I expect in my own shop.

Curriculum

11 Chapters · 40 Lessons

  1. 1

    Module 1: Orientation & The Hoback Standard (Start here)

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Terms of Service | Privacy Policy

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      1.1 Welcome to the Class

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      1.2 Safety & Shop Standards (Text Only / Coming Soon)

  2. 2

    Module 2: The Foundation Tools and Modifications (Solving "Scrapped Parts" "Time sucks")

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      2.1: The Arbor Press: Modifying for Precision Fits

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      2.2: Tapping Heads | Taps: Eliminating Broken Taps & Thread Failure

  3. 3

    Module 3: Engineering & Design (CAD/CAM) (Solving Bad Action)

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      3.1 Lock Geometry: Covering some of the pitfalls and solutions to those problems

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      3.2 The Detent: Engineering the "Crisp" Action

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      3.3 Bearings vs. Washers: Choosing the Right Application

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      3.4 The Button Lock: Designing for Reliability

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      3.5 Frame lockface design considerations CAD

  4. 4

    Module 4: Knife Making Fundamentals

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 4.1: Anatomy of a Frame Lock (Video Ready - Edit in progress)

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 4.2: Anatomy of a Fixed Blade and Quick sheath info

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 4.3: Anatomy of a Sheath (Video Ready - Edit in progress)

  5. 5

    Module 5: Manufacturing (Solving "Inconsistency")

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      5.1 Multi-Axis Strategy: Rigid Fixturing for Complex Parts

  6. 6

    Module 6: Business (Solving "Broke Maker Syndrome")

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      6.1: Simple Photography for Makers

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      6.2: Pricing & COGS: Calculating Your True Shop Rate

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      6.3 Advertising: Surviving the Social Media Ban

  7. 7

    Project Series: First Chips (Fixed Blade Builds)

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Perseverance Fixed Blade

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Shepard Fixed Blade

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Dashi

  8. 8

    Project Series: The Ghost Protocol (Folding Knife Architecture)

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Ghost 1: The Kit Breakdown

  9. 9

    Module 9: The Expert Network (Solving "Tunnel Vision")

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      9.1 Bill Rapier: Combatives & Applied Design Philosophy

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      9.2 Bob Terzuola: The History & Theory of Tactical Folders

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      9.3 Brian Selby: Utility & The Blue Collar Perspective

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      9.4 John Grimsmo: Production Mindset & CNC Workflow

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      9.5 Tom Kier: Martial not art

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      9.6 Jordan Reimer: Kitchen Performance

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      9.7 Brian Tighe: Dress your best

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      9.8 Carl Atienza: Roaming Warrior

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      9.9 Dave Wattenberg: Pro-Tech, Pro Knife Tips

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      10.1 Paul Farner (Bos Heat Treat): The Industry Standard for HT

  10. 10

    Expert Opinion Series

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Hoback: B2B, D2C, Mix, Wholesale

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Rapier: D2C opinion and why

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Selby: Why Crossbar lock

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Jordan: kitchen knife

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Julie AZCK:

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Knife enthusiast 1

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Kirk Guillot: from Media to knives

  11. 11

    Interview QA: Vendors, Dealers, outsource manufactures, advertising

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      NiftyBar: Waterjet, Double disk grinding

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Paul Bos Heat Treat: Paul Farner

Built on a Reputation of Precision.

Below are just a few of many thousands of happy customers of my products. 

”
Fantastic fixed blade. I had the opportunity to put it through some work over the weekend. I can say without a doubt that the MK3 is solid and reliable. The customer service has been excellent. Recommend to anyone needing a reliable tool you can count on when needed the most.
Chris B.

Hudson, FL

The product is great. Hoback offers a backspacer that’s really hard to find, that’s aesthetically pleasing to the eyes at a great price. Will shop with them again soon thank you hoback
Brett B.

Lewiston, ID

This is my second purchase of this knife, and it’s a gift for my Dad. I love mine so much. He and I have been knife enthusiasts for decades, and he will love it. Extremely sharp, great ergonomics and materials. Worth the $. Highly recommend.
Paul S.

Amateur Chef

Saw these advertised on IG. Looked into them a little more and decided to try one. I have several radios and a lot of different antennas. Some cheap and some better quality. I wanted to test this one to see if it really was better than others. Shipping was fast, the antenna was well made and didn't add a lot of weight to the radio. Performance was a surprise as it made a positive difference in my ability to reach some distant local repeaters. Seems really durable and I like USA made products. Well done guys!
Dave V. N1SGD 

Safety First Firearms Instruction

The Shop Door is Open.

You can spend another year guessing, scrapping parts, and losing margin—or you can download 25 years of experience today. The "First Chips" series, the "Ghost Protocol," and the Master’s Network are waiting. Start Your Subscription

$29.99 / month

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