I was born in Logansport, Indiana. I joined the U.S.Army in 1968, and served three tours in Vietnam ,( 101st Airborne) I returned a disabled vet. Then attended the University of Wisconsin as an art major. I moved to Arizona in 1978, I meet my lovely wife Birgit Ann and married in 1980. 
I have always been a knife collector and attended a custom knife show, I met and became friends with D Alton Holder who allowed me into his shop and assured me I could build a quality knife, I finally sold knives in 1999. I caught the folder bug in 2002 ,I recieved training from Texas legend Johnny Stout, I recieved help from dozens of other makers along the way and developed some great friendships.
I am a Journeyman Smith with American Bladesmith Society ,and practice forging and making my own damascus,My steels of choice are W-2, 52100 for single carbon steel blades and for damascus I use 1084, 1095, 0-1,         15N20, L-6                                                                                              I am a member of the Arizona Knife Collectors, Southern California Blades,  I was featured in the Art of Custom Knifemaking by David Darom, Art of the Knife by Joe Kertzmen, Knives Annuals2006, 2007,2008,2009,2010,2011
Blade featured me in articles on my custom gents folders Oct 2007, Aug 2009
I was awarded Best Bowie and Best Damascus in San Francisco BAKCA show 2007, I won Best Damascus Fighter of Show at the Oregon Knife Show 2009 I won best folder at the Arizona Knife Collectors show 2010
My web site is www.MikeTyreCustomKnives.com
phone 928-684-9601 or 602-377-8432

email mtyre86@gmail.com