Lifting Others Through Craft: How Mr. J Supports Fellow Makers on TikTok
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In a world where handmade craftsmanship often competes with mass production, Mr. J—a disabled veteran, knife maker, and woodworker—is using his platform on TikTok not only to showcase his own handcrafted knives and wood creations, but to uplift others in the maker community.

Despite living with dysphasia, a condition that affects his ability to communicate, Mr. J has built a powerful online presence through visuals, storytelling, and authenticity. On TikTok, he goes beyond sharing his own creations by frequently highlighting other talented creators—blacksmiths, leatherworkers, woodturners, and custom artisans of all kinds—many of whom are also veterans, disabled, or running small businesses from home.

Mr. J believes that supporting fellow makers isn’t just good for the community—it’s essential. When he finds high-quality, handmade products like forged axes, custom leather sheaths, or live-edge wood furniture, he doesn’t hesitate to share, recommend, and promote them to his audience. In doing so, he helps direct more attention, website traffic, and sales toward those who truly deserve it.

“I know how hard it is to get seen,” Mr. J says in one of his videos, using captions and visuals to communicate. “If someone’s putting in the work and making something real—people should know about it.”

His followers appreciate this commitment to community over competition. Comments regularly thank him for “shouting out” lesser-known creators, and many say they’ve discovered new favorite shops because of his recommendations. Whether it’s a handmade hunting knife, a reclaimed wood cutting board, or an artisan who does custom engraving, Mr. J is quick to amplify others’ work—especially when it's made with heart.

Mr. J’s own website continues to grow in traffic, in part due to this pay-it-forward mindset. By embedding keywords like hand-forged knives, veteran-owned small business, custom woodworking, and handcrafted gifts, his site not only showcases his work but helps others rise alongside him in search engine rankings.

As Mr. J often reminds his followers: “We’re not just selling products—we’re building a movement of makers.”
From hand-forged blades to artisan wood crafts, his shop is more than a storefront—it's a hub for anyone who values craftsmanship, resilience, and community.