Prosper’s Own Mad Scientist
Kara Schofield
Ryan Haws, a 41-year-old Prosper father of two, has experienced more than one career even before hitting the proverbial midlife crisis point. Educated first in electrical engineering and chemistry, he later earned a law degree to and rose to represent multiple Texas-based technology companies as general counsel. Haws will tell you he is no genius, but he certainly qualifies as an inventor, one who quit his day job to pursue a business developing, producing, and selling cutlery, industrial lubricants, and rust-prevention products.
Haws says, “I’m full of random interests, and at heart, I’m a mad scientist!” He loves reading up on chemistry and formulary technology, digging through old patents, and researching existing technologies to make them better. But it was another hobby, his love of collecting pocketknives, combined with a dissatisfaction of what was then available that inspired him to create his own knife oil. In 2018, after a year of development and testing, Haws formulated a product that he was ready to share with others. It has since become the most popular pocketknife lubricant on the market with distribution online and in knife stores around the world.
The unusual circumstances of 2020 prompted Haws to abandon the difficulties of practicing law remotely to partner with his wife Lindi, who already maintained her own party planning and graphic design business, and focus his efforts on Knife Pivot Lube. The Hawses’ success among knife enthusiasts has spurred them to launch a second company featuring household care products, waxes, soaps, and cosmetics.
Haws reveals, “I have suffered from continuing pain and disability since having a spine tumor removed in 2012. To this day I have difficulty using my dominant hand and arm for anything but small movements.” He feels that this latest career change came as a blessing at the right time for his family. A member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Haws views the future with hope in Jesus Christ and His promises for good things to come despite his current physical trials.
Thomas Edison was born on February 11, 1847, and President Reagan designated Edison’s birthday as National Inventors Day in 1983. Edison would likely be proud of this Prosper resident who has not backed down in adversity; indeed, according to Edison, “A genius is often merely a talented person who has done all of his or her homework.” Perhaps Haws is a genius after all.
Click HERE to read the story in The Prosper Press.
Kara Schofield lives with her husband, nearly grown youngest, and the family doodle in the Prosper Texas Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She can often be found at one keyboard or another: writing, documenting personal and family history, accompanying school choirs, and learning how to play jazz music. Her greatest joys are her four children and their spouses, a sizable extended family, pies, mountains, and Jesus Christ.
