As I grew older, the combined effects of age and injuries from my Army service caught up with me. Simple tasks like preparing a meal became frustrating and sometimes painful. Cooking had always been how I connected with family, but gripping and cutting with a traditional knife grew difficult, I realized how many of my fellow veterans and older Americans quietly face the same challenges.
Rather than accept those limitations, I decided to design a better tool. Drawing on my military training - the discipline, persistence, and problem-solving we all learned in uniform - I began experimenting with designs that could make cutting easier for people with limited grip strength or joint mobility. A personal project became a mission.
The result was the NULU knife, engineered with Force Transfer Geometry™. Instead of the forward push that strains the wrist and forearm, NULU's circular cutting motion channels energy from the shoulder through the hand, reducing strain and increasing control. It helps people with arthritis, joint pain or other upper-extremity limitations maintain independence and confidence in the kitchen.
After prototypes and extensive testing, we launched on Kickstarter and began shipping this summer. NULU has since been adopted by several state adaptive and assistive technology offices for veterans and individuals with disabilities. Our affiliate network includes veterans, caregivers, seniors and advocates who believe good design can restore freedom and dignity in everyday life.
I'm fortunate to have two partners who are also veterans and fellow West Point graduates. Together, we're proving that the teamwork and sense of purpose we learned in service don't end when we hang up the uniform - they simply take new forms.
This effort embodies what "Veterans Strengthening America" truly means: carrying that same sense of mission into civilian life, solving problems and helping our communities. For us, NULU is more than a knife - it's a continuation of service, built to give back to the community that shaped us.
For videos check out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCPb5udtcuI
