Perhaps the stories on the walls – along with a few of the house’s potent potables –  provided inspiration for what GiantMouse would one day become. Acclaimed knife designers Jens Ansø and Jesper “Vox” Voxnaes had already built sterling reputations on designs for a number of major knife manufacturers, while entrepreneur Jim Wirth devised how to infuse their talent, creativity, and artistry into a new company that could produce high-quality knives with eye-catching designs at affordable prices. 

The origin story culminated in 2016 when the trio released their first production folder, the GM1, to rave reviews. GiantMouse was born.

Collaborating with Mast General Store

Cut to several years later, and GiantMouse is one of the fastest-growing, premium knife manufacturers on the scene. The roots of GiantMouse’s influences are evident in each of its models, most of which, like the Biblio, represent places that have been wells of inspiration for the brand’s founders. (Let’s be clear, most GiantMouse knives bear the name of a hip bar, hotel, or neighborhood that the founders have sentiment for.) Among its very first models of GiantMouse’s ACE Line, the Biblio is also now one of the company’s most popular and iconic knives.

It was an easy decision for Mast General Store, then, to enthusiastically accept when GiantMouse offered to create a unique version of the Biblio-XL through a one-of-a-kind collaboration.

“Mast General Store has been one of our favorite retailers to work with since the beginning of our partnership,” said Aaron Leonard, sales operations specialist for the GiantMouse team. 

“Valuing our relationship with Mast, we reached out and offered an exclusive for one of our bestselling knives, the Biblio-XL Titanium.”

According to GiantMouse, Jesper Voxnaes and Jens Ansø designed the Biblio-XL as an improvement on the original, slightly smaller Biblio design. Like all knives the pair designs, striking aesthetics flow from function, giving this enlarged version of the Biblio stellar ergonomics to accompany a sleek look.

Unique to the Mast Biblio-XL Titanium is its anodized green handle. Each knife is also one of a limited series of only 150 and is numbered inside the knife’s dignified brass spacer. The knife boxes are numbered, too, so Mast Store guests can even choose their or a giftee’s lucky number before taking this special Biblio-XL Titanium home.

Another distinguishing trait of the Mast Biblio-XL Titanium is found in perhaps its most important feature – the blade.

“This is the first batch of Biblio-XL’s that uses Magnacut steel, which is one of the most popular steels on the market right now and is sought after for its edge retention, durability, and corrosion resistance,” Aaron said.

Mast Store Knife Shop expert Patrick reinforced GiantMouse’s assessment.

“Magnacut came out about three or four years ago, and it’s a well-balanced steel that leans toward high-end quality. It’s nice on toughness and holds an edge. Magnacut is excellent for anyone who wants to work a knife hard,” Patrick explained.

Hands-On Learning

Patrick, and his counterpart Seth, are two highly respected voices in the Mast Store Knife Shop. Both men, who also happen to serve as postal station managers of the Valle Crucis Post Office at the Original Mast Store, were instrumental in the Knife Shop’s creation and growth over the past eight years. 

Patrick and Seth are also the featured hands (literally and figuratively) viewers see accompanying tutorials on the Mast Store Knife Shop YouTube channel where the pair reviews new, favorite, and featured knives with authoritative insight. 

In the year since the channel has been active, Patrick and Seth have done deep dives on dozens of knives found at Mast Store and post new videos weekly. Knife lovers, wonks, and collectors will clamor over their content, but so will knife novices, gift hunters, and anyone seeking a professional’s honest opinion on a complex product in a vastly diverse category.

Be sure to subscribe to the Mast Store Knife Shop’s YouTube channel and watch Patrick and Seth put their expertise to work.

The Knife Shop YouTube channel is a virtual extension of the first-hand know-how Patrick, Seth, and all the Mast Store Knife Shop crew share with inquiring guests on a daily basis. This customer service- and training-based philosophy emanated from the Knife Shop at the Original Mast Store to Knife Shops in each Mast Store location.

“Our job in the Knife Shop is to educate you. At Mast, we will fit you for knives just like we’d fit you for shoes,” Patrick offered.

Patrick said that the “fitting process” is oriented around three questions: First, what will you use your knife for? Second, what’s your budget? And third, what’s your personal style?

Patrick is confident that any guest who answers these questions about themselves – or, even better according to him, on behalf of someone they’re gift shopping for – will find the ideal knife in the Mast Store Knife Shop.

As Patrick says, “If you can’t find a knife you like here, you don’t really like knives.”

Whittling Stories

 Patrick, much like GiantMouse, believes the true appeal of any knife is the story behind it. 

“In the Knife Shop, the case is a storyboard. The Mast Store is full of stories. So is the Knife Shop, and each knife has its own story, too,” Patrick said.

For GiantMouse, which goes so far as to name its knives after places whose stories inspired their designs, the Mast Store’s stories created a connection that led to its collaboration on the “original tale” of the Mast Biblio-XL Titanium.

“Mast General Store is known for its charming, old-fashioned general store atmosphere that provides everything from outdoor gear to nostalgic candy. Its uniqueness as a destination for families and adventurers alike makes for a perfect setting to learn more about and purchase a GiantMouse knife. From our travels to North Carolina to visit the Original Mast Store in Valle Crucis, we were immediately impressed by the quality of their customer service and knowledge of knives,” Aaron from GiantMouse shared.

Write yourself or the knife collector in your life into this story by picking up the exclusive Mast Biblio-XL Titanium available in the Knife Shop at your local Mast Store and at Mast Store Online. Remember, you can see it demonstrated in advance by Patrick himself at the Mast Store Knife Shop YouTube channel, so please “Like and Subscribe” and say hello to the Knife Shop team when you drop by the store in search of your next – or very first – knife!