About Heinly Knives

I’m Stephen Heinly — product designer by trade, adventurer at heart, and founder of Heinly Knives.

By day, I design innovative gear at Zpacks, helping people go farther with less. But long before that, I was just a kid with a pocketknife and a love for the woods. Over the years, that passion evolved into something deeper — a lifelong pursuit of craftsmanship, function, and freedom.

Heinly Knives was born from countless trail miles, backcountry nights, and an unwavering belief that the tools we carry should echo the spirit of where we’re going. Each knife I make blends rugged performance with intentional design, built for those who chase the wild — whether that’s deep in the backcountry or just outside your door.

I’ve crossed mountain ranges, jungle trails, and faraway cities — driven by a deep passion for well-crafted gear and an unshakable wonderlust. Wherever I go, I find myself sketching new blades, testing edge geometry, or tuning a handle profile until it feels just right.

This brand is more than a logo — it’s a reflection of the places I’ve been, the lessons I’ve learned, and the people I’ve met along the way. Whether you’re a hunter, a hiker, or someone who simply appreciates a good tool, my hope is that a Heinly Knife becomes part of your own story.

I see knife-making not just as a craft, but as a calling — a way to steward the gifts God’s given me through hard work, creativity, and service.


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“And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs... to work in every craft.”
— Exodus 31:3–5 (ESV)