Wong Design (Princeton Wong)

Princeton Wong is an American custom knifemaker and founder of Prince Customs in Houston, Texas. Fascinated by how things are created from a young age, he would take apart everything he could get his hands on — leading to an early appreciation of tools, including knives. Performance cars eventually became the draw that started his journey to learn as many fabrication techniques and tools as possible. He taught himself machining, starting on a CNC-converted Sherline mill.

His time in college led to a design degree and a career in graphics and environmental design, moving to NYC, Japan, then eventually back to Texas. While designing and art directing for global brands like RCI, Unilever, Boeing, and Lilly, he always had the itch to make products of his own.

After moving back to Texas, he opened his own fabrication shop (Prince Customs). He started off laser engraving firearms and machining architectural components and automotive parts. His shop arsenal now consists of 5-axis CNC mills, live-tool lathes, 5-axis waterjet, various lasers, 3D printers, welders, and grinders.

He brought his first knives to Blade Show in 2018. The Daruma was his first design, rushed to complete for the show. He finds inspiration in nature and pop culture, focusing on original designs that “buck trends.” He is one of the most significant Chinese-production collaborators in the budget/premium knife space.

Awards & Press

• Blade Mag, Feb 2019 — Last Page Feature “Cool Custom”
• ICCE 2021 — Most Innovative Design
• ICCE 2021 — Knifemakers Guild “Hank Rummel Award”, Best First-year Probationary Member
• Blade Show ATL 2021 — Best New Maker
• Blade Mag, Sep 2021 — Cover
• Blade Show TX 2022 — Knifemakers Guild, Best Tactical Folder
• Blade Show TX 2023 — Knifemakers Guild, Best Tactical Folder
• Blade Mag, Dec 2023 — Meet the M.A.C.K.
• Blade Show TX 2024 — Best Custom M.A.C.K.
• Blade Show ATL 2024 — Most Innovative Imported Design
• Blade Show ATL 2024 — Knifemakers Guild, Best Tactical Folder
• Blade Show SLC 2024 — Best Custom M.A.C.K.
• Blade Show TX 2025 — Knifemakers Guild, Best Tactical Folder
• Blade Show ATL 2025 — Knifemakers Guild, Best EDC
• Blade Show TX 2026 — Knifemakers Guild, Best Tactical

Other Collaborations

• CRKT — Nucleus, Orochi, Fial, Daruma
• He Knife