A recent article I wrote for an about me section:
Ben Berg is more than your average knife-maker, he’s an artist. With a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics from UH Hilo, Ben has transformed from a mere hobbyist to a proficient knife-maker without formal schooling in the trade. In 2007, Ben took to a hammer and chisel and crafted what would be the beginning of his passion and business, Kekoa.
Kekoa is a custom knife, art and jewelry establishment. Meaning the brave one or warrior, it embodies the hard-work ethic and distinctive personality of Ben’s artistry. It’s more about the experience than the transaction. Customers receive exceptional service and high-quality products. Using only the best of what’s available, Kekoa guarantees an original experience, every time.
Kekoa’s vision and principles are relevant to Ben’s connection with anthropology. Simply put, anthropology is the study of human cultures and societies and their developments. Since the beginning of man, hand tools have been vital to the survival and advancement of our species. The most important hand tool is the knife. Anthropologists are often faced with the difficult task of inserting themselves into settings or surroundings where they do not fit in automatically. In an anthropologist’s attempt to understand and relate to a foreign culture, he or she must learn new languages, customs and more. They often discover new things about themselves or develop a changed attitude. As Kekoa has grown, so has Ben as an artist and individual. To provide a great knife is to understand the soon-to-be owner’s story. As anthropologists study people, Ben studies people’s stories to create a knife that’s more than a framed object but a living testament.
Having studied with ‘Ike Pono, Ben understands the importance of true aloha and the value of Pono. He incorporates these values with the Kekoa experience. Kekoa brings a fresh dynamic to Oahu’s artisan scene. It’s about the beauty and meaning behind every knife, every sculpture and every piece of art. Experience for yourself the uniqueness of Kekoa!