n 2017, Matt Kriebs—founder of Grip-Tec™—was searching for a new hobby. A lifelong enthusiast of cars and anything with a motor, Matt found himself feeling disconnected from the passion that once fueled him. Looking for something new, he decided to try making a knife. With help from a long-distance friend, Kriebs Customs Knives was born.

As the knife-making journey progressed, Matt began to stabilize wood for his own use. Eventually, his collection outgrew his needs, and he started selling the materials he had stabilized in-house. This marked the beginning of RockSolid Scales.

By 2018, Matt had found his true calling—crafting high-quality handle materials. It was the perfect fusion of his childhood love of woodworking, his teenage fascination with metalwork, and his growing interest in business. He began offering his stabilized wood to other makers, always pushing the limits of quality and creativity.

In late 2023, while exploring new ideas for a secondary product line, Matt developed what would become Grip-Tec™. After months of research, testing, and refining, the first generation of Grip-Tec™ launched in early 2024.

In January 2025, Matt’s wife Katy officially joined the business, taking on website management, shipping, and logistics. Together, they’ve grown Grip-Tec™ into the industry standard for grip-focused knife handle materials.

Proudly made in America, by hand, using American components—Grip-Tec™ is committed to exceptional quality and unmatched customer service.