Culture // 4 min Read

In Pursuit of Adventure

Written by Palmetto Bluff

Apr 18, 2016

The quest for adventure leads many people down interesting paths: it can lead you to a new country, take you on a trip of a lifetime, even cause you to go skydiving if are so bold. But not so often does the pursuit of adventure lead you to the art of knife-making.

Ever since he was a young boy Quintin Middleton loved the thrill of adventure – the big world was full of possibilities and he was anxious to seek out its excitement. Like any classic 80s child he watched in awe as the heroes of Star Wars battled the villains with light sabers, and began to associate swords, knives – and light sabers – with adventure. So fascinated was Quintin with swords that he even removed a tube from his play set to make it into an imaginary sword. Now that is dedication.

Fast forward twenty years, Quintin is now the creator and owner of Middleton Made Knives, his cutlery brainchild that provides professional knives to chefs around the country. Heralded for their precision and craftsmanship, Middleton Made Knives has taken on a life of its own, drawing attention from major publications such as Garden & Gun, Food & Wine Magazine, Entrepreneur, and more. He also has the support of some of the biggest names in the food industry today – but it wasn’t always so simple for Quintin. He knows a thing or two about being told the word no.

In his early 20s – he’s 28 now – Quintin worked in a cutlery store where he met Jason Knight, a well-known professional knife maker. The two hit it off and Quintin began learning the craft of knife-making from Jason, who administered some tough love on the fledgling knife-maker. Jason pushed Quintin to learn on his own, through making good knives and bad, and answering a few questions for him along the way. And, as it often does, the tough love worked – Quintin emulated what Jason did but with his own twist, and thus began his understanding of how to make a great knife. He made mostly hunting knives and martial arts swords – he still hadn’t forgotten those light sabers – and continued to hone his skills to make each piece more beautiful than the next.

What Jesus Says, You Do

Now all of that hard work and determination is nice and all, but this is where it really gets interesting. Quintin says that five years ago Jesus came to him in a dream and told him to make knives for chefs. And like any smart man would do, he did what Jesus said. He kicked the hunting and martial arts practice to the curb and took up creating professional chef knives. After he made a collection that he thought was good enough to sell, he made a long list of every chef in Charleston – he’s from St. Stephens, S.C. – and visited each chef on the list to sell his wares. And they all said no. No said Sean Brock; no said Jeremiah Bacon; no said Craig Diehl; no, no, no. They thought he was a door-to-door salesman, just pushing off someone else’s product on them to buy.

And then Jesus came to him again in a dream. Jesus told Quintin to call back Craig Diehl and ask him to help him with his newfound craft. And like any smart man would do, he did what Jesus said. Sure enough, Craig agreed to give Quintin feedback on how to improve the quality of his chef’s knives. Craig’s feedback was immediate: he said the knives were too big, too thick, too heavy – that the knives were more like hunting knives and lacked the precision required of a knife used in a restaurant kitchen.

So Quintin went back to work, and after some more coaching with Craig and his sous chef, Quintin nailed it – quite literally. He found a way to produce a knife that was every chef’s dream: precise, lightweight, and most importantly, long-lasting. With these much sought-after qualities Craig introduced Quintin to other chefs in need of kitchen knives, and thus the magic of Middleton Made Knives began.

.%GALLERY%Today’s Passion

From Robert Irvine to Guy Fieri to Emeril Lagasse, Quintin rubs shoulders with the big guns. His knives are featured in stores across the country and coveted by amateur and seasoned chefs alike. “Everyone wants to be the next Emeril Lagasse,” said Quintin. “And anything that young chefs can have to step up their precision, they want it. I am the person that helps them with that.”

And speaking of Emeril, Quintin says that one of his proudest moments was when he received a picture of the legendary chef and TV personality holding one of his knives. One day during the Christmas season a few years ago he received a phone call from a fellow claiming to be Emeril’s Chief Operating Officer. Skeptical of his legitimacy but happy to help the guy out, Quintin agreed to make the “COO” a chef knife to give “Emeril” for Christmas. A few days after Christmas Quintin received a text message with a picture of Emeril wielding his Middleton Made Knife – it was a happy Christmas indeed.

Besides being a knife-maker and a man of God, Quintin also prides himself as being a great husband and father to his two kids. And one thing you may not know about Quintin? He’s a big teddy bear, he says; a very goofy person. Quintin loves talking to people and could hold a conversation with a person for hours. “Everyone has something in common with each other,” Quintin said. “You just have to find the thing you have in common with the other person and then you can talk for forever.”

As for the future of Middleton Made Knives, Quintin is excited about moving forward and continuing to put great quality knives in the hands that need them. The one thing that will remain the same, though? Quintin’s passion for his work. “Great minds think alike,” Quintin said. “The passion that professional chefs put into their food, they see the same passion in my craft, and that’s what makes it meaningful.”

Architecture & Design / Resurrecting Stones

Story by Katie Epps Photographs by Joel Caldwell Beneath Palmetto Bluff’s sprawling oaks lie twelve cemeteries that serve as the final resting places for hundreds of people and nine dogs. Five of these cemeteries were started as burial grounds for enslaved...

Mar 2024

Real Estate / Discover The Grove: A Premier Enclave for Nature-Inspired Living

Putting Down Strong Roots The Grove seamlessly combines curated style with courtyard living, welcoming the lush beauty of the Lowcountry at every doorstep. With twelve homesites meticulously designed to maximize outdoor living, Palmetto Bluff Builders offer...

Mar 2024

Culture / Meet Palmetto Bluff Club Members Shayne and Jason Hollander

How did you meet? Shayne: Jason and I both attended the University of Southern California. We met through our mutual friend Mike, a USC connection. I was always very captivated by Jason, his wit and charm.  Jason: Shayne’s first job in college was working ...

Mar 2024
palmetto bluff activities

Sporting Life / Sticking to Your New Year Resolutions: How to Stay Active at The Bluff

Create Lasting Habits With These 6 Palmetto Bluff Activities As the new year sets in, many of us find ourselves determined to stick to those resolutions we set just a few weeks ago. Whether it's getting fit, staying active, or embracing a healthier lifestyle,...

Mar 2024
palmetto bluff homes

Real Estate / Real Estate Spotlight: 29 Wintercress Rd, 213 Davies Rd, and 18 Flicker St

Discover These Three Luxury Palmetto Bluff Homes Palmetto Bluff is a private community nestled in South Carolina's Lowcountry. All properties at The Bluff blend the comfort of coastal living with the luxury of a modern Lowcountry estate. Built to be family...

Mar 2024
home upkeep checklist

Real Estate / Get Ahead of Spring Cleaning: How to Upkeep Your Luxury Lowcountry Home

8 Ways To Upkeep Your Palmetto Bluff Home Every year in the unspoiled seclusion of the Lowcountry, spring slips serenely and gracefully into bloom in the lush maritime forests, salt marshlands, and smooth waterways. While the Lowcountry’s natural majesty arre...

Mar 2024
2024 palmetto bluff events

Culture / 13 Can’t-Miss Palmetto Bluff Events This Year

2024 Events in the Lowcountry Positioned in the heart of the Lowcountry, Palmetto Bluff stands as a beacon of coastal elegance, offering an unparalleled blend of luxurious living and quintessential events that capture the essence of this charming region. In 2...

Mar 2024

Architecture & Design / Building On A Legacy

Everyone talks about the drive into Palmetto Bluff, the miles of shady pavement, the dense maritime canopy, crossing over the headwaters of the May River, and the alligator forever sunning at the causeway. It’s an iconic section of road. People say their shoul...

Mar 2024

Culture / Day Trips from Palmetto Bluff

Story by Barry Kaufman and Photographs by Lizzy Rollins Just beyond the gates of Palmetto Bluff, at the end of that quiet stretch of trees and sunlight, a solitary strip of pavement beckons. This connective tissue, a tributary, leads off across the great Amer...

Feb 2024
palmetto bluff

Real Estate / Behind the Bluff with Broker-in-Charge W. Bryan Byrne

Bryan’s Journey to Palmetto Bluff Real Estate In this edition of Behind the Bluff, W. Bryan Byrne, the Broker-in-Charge at Palmetto Bluff Real Estate Company, discusses his two-decade journey in the community. His experience has intricately molded the authent...

Jan 2024
LIVE
Community Villages
Experience
Palmetto Bluff Club
On The Water
The Arts Initiative
Events
Conserve
About Us