Independents in Panaca

In his recent posts, Zen has called on readers to stand independent with increased temporal self-reliance, and to make 2027 an Annus Mirabilis.

These calls came to mind as I happened to peruse websites of a couple of businesses in Panaca, Nevada. Panaca is 120 miles north of Las Vegas, 70 miles west of Cedar City, has 900 people and three wards of latter-day saints meeting in the stake center there. My personal experience with Panaca is limited.

The Google Map shows “Devin Thomas” on 5th Street, and that leads to the website for his business, Devin Thomas Damascus.

Devin Thomas has been making knives since 1978 at the age of 13. Devin gained an interest in mechanical work and making things while working with his father, a welder, at a young age. Devin’s first knife was a straight knife with a walnut handle and a simple guard. [ . . . ] At 19 Devin served a proselytizing mission in Japan for two years. He was struck by the history of the sword and knife making there. He found it tough to maintain his focus on the mission with so much of that history around! [ . . . ] In 1991 he produced his first stainless Damascus, which was very rare at the time. He became well-known for his stainless Damascus and clean, repeatable patterns. [ . . . ] In recent years Devin has begun producing more and more knives, with a current emphasis on kitchen knives produced for chefs and enthusiast home cooks. They offer a combination of fine workmanship, thin edge geometry, and top-notch materials, including his own Damascus.

Devin has 6 kids and lives in Panaca, Nevada.

Three and a half blocks west of Brother Thomas’ home and shop there is a fitness gym, Iron Haven. This business is run by David and Giulia Robbins, who going by the photo of themselves they chose for their gym’s website are the world’s most modestly attired fitness buffs. As this site’s G. commented, “One of the most human things is how sweet it is to run across other people’s loves.” It is also sweet and inspiring to see those loves pursued with contours of Christian discipleship, creating fulness and saved from unbalanced deformity.