Custom Military Recognition Gifts Handcrafted By Veterans

Current Production Time - 3 Weeks

• • •

Current Production Time - 3 Weeks • • •

Knot Your Average Grain is a veteran-owned custom woodworking shop in Somersworth, New Hampshire, built on craftsmanship, tradition, and attention to detail.

While we’re best known for military recognition—custom paddles, plaques, and ceremony awards—we don’t stop there. We also create specialty pieces like unit gifts and presentation items, engraved glassware, phenolic/plastic signs for commercial needs, and made-to-order KYAG apparel.

Whether you’re honoring a retirement, celebrating a promotion, outfitting a command, or creating something completely one-of-one, we make it personal—and we build it to last.

Popular Products

Navy and Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Paddle (CPO, SCPO, MCPO, & CMC) Navy and Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Paddle (CPO, SCPO, MCPO, & CMC) Navy and Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Paddle (CPO, SCPO, MCPO, & CMC) Navy and Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Paddle (CPO, SCPO, MCPO, & CMC) Navy and Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Paddle (CPO, SCPO, MCPO, & CMC) Navy and Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Paddle (CPO, SCPO, MCPO, & CMC) Navy and Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Paddle (CPO, SCPO, MCPO, & CMC) Navy and Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Paddle (CPO, SCPO, MCPO, & CMC) Navy and Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Paddle (CPO, SCPO, MCPO, & CMC) Navy and Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Paddle (CPO, SCPO, MCPO, & CMC) Navy and Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Paddle (CPO, SCPO, MCPO, & CMC) Navy and Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Paddle (CPO, SCPO, MCPO, & CMC) Navy and Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Paddle (CPO, SCPO, MCPO, & CMC) Navy and Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Paddle (CPO, SCPO, MCPO, & CMC) Navy and Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Paddle (CPO, SCPO, MCPO, & CMC) Navy and Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Paddle (CPO, SCPO, MCPO, & CMC) Navy and Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Paddle (CPO, SCPO, MCPO, & CMC) Navy and Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Paddle (CPO, SCPO, MCPO, & CMC) Navy and Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Paddle (CPO, SCPO, MCPO, & CMC) Navy and Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Paddle (CPO, SCPO, MCPO, & CMC) Navy and Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Paddle (CPO, SCPO, MCPO, & CMC) Navy and Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Paddle (CPO, SCPO, MCPO, & CMC) Navy and Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Paddle (CPO, SCPO, MCPO, & CMC) Navy and Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Paddle (CPO, SCPO, MCPO, & CMC) Navy and Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Paddle (CPO, SCPO, MCPO, & CMC) Navy and Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Paddle (CPO, SCPO, MCPO, & CMC) Navy and Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Paddle (CPO, SCPO, MCPO, & CMC) Navy and Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Paddle (CPO, SCPO, MCPO, & CMC) Navy and Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Paddle (CPO, SCPO, MCPO, & CMC) Navy and Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Paddle (CPO, SCPO, MCPO, & CMC) Navy and Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Paddle (CPO, SCPO, MCPO, & CMC) Navy and Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Paddle (CPO, SCPO, MCPO, & CMC) Navy and Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Paddle (CPO, SCPO, MCPO, & CMC) Navy and Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Paddle (CPO, SCPO, MCPO, & CMC) Navy and Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Paddle (CPO, SCPO, MCPO, & CMC) Navy and Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Paddle (CPO, SCPO, MCPO, & CMC) Navy and Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Paddle (CPO, SCPO, MCPO, & CMC)
from $150.00
Petty Officer Trident Paddle Petty Officer Trident Paddle Petty Officer Trident Paddle Petty Officer Trident Paddle Petty Officer Trident Paddle Petty Officer Trident Paddle
from $150.00
Large Wood Award Trident Large Wood Award Trident Large Wood Award Trident Large Wood Award Trident Large Wood Award Trident Large Wood Award Trident Large Wood Award Trident
from $150.00
Anchor Paddle - USN/USCG Chief Paddle Anchor Paddle - USN/USCG Chief Paddle Anchor Paddle - USN/USCG Chief Paddle Anchor Paddle - USN/USCG Chief Paddle Anchor Paddle - USN/USCG Chief Paddle Anchor Paddle - USN/USCG Chief Paddle Anchor Paddle - USN/USCG Chief Paddle Anchor Paddle - USN/USCG Chief Paddle Anchor Paddle - USN/USCG Chief Paddle Anchor Paddle - USN/USCG Chief Paddle Anchor Paddle - USN/USCG Chief Paddle Anchor Paddle - USN/USCG Chief Paddle Anchor Paddle - USN/USCG Chief Paddle Anchor Paddle - USN/USCG Chief Paddle Anchor Paddle - USN/USCG Chief Paddle Anchor Paddle - USN/USCG Chief Paddle Anchor Paddle - USN/USCG Chief Paddle Anchor Paddle - USN/USCG Chief Paddle Anchor Paddle - USN/USCG Chief Paddle Anchor Paddle - USN/USCG Chief Paddle Anchor Paddle - USN/USCG Chief Paddle Anchor Paddle - USN/USCG Chief Paddle Anchor Paddle - USN/USCG Chief Paddle Anchor Paddle - USN/USCG Chief Paddle Anchor Paddle - USN/USCG Chief Paddle Anchor Paddle - USN/USCG Chief Paddle Anchor Paddle - USN/USCG Chief Paddle Anchor Paddle - USN/USCG Chief Paddle Anchor Paddle - USN/USCG Chief Paddle Anchor Paddle - USN/USCG Chief Paddle Anchor Paddle - USN/USCG Chief Paddle Anchor Paddle - USN/USCG Chief Paddle Anchor Paddle - USN/USCG Chief Paddle Anchor Paddle - USN/USCG Chief Paddle Anchor Paddle - USN/USCG Chief Paddle Anchor Paddle - USN/USCG Chief Paddle Anchor Paddle - USN/USCG Chief Paddle
from $150.00
Wood Rocket Fin Wood Rocket Fin Wood Rocket Fin Wood Rocket Fin Wood Rocket Fin
Sale
from $150.00
A man holding a child at an outdoor event, with T-Mobile tents and "Face Painting" signs in the background.

Meet the maker.

Welcome to My Workshop!

I'm so glad you're here and excited to share a little bit about myself. My name is John, and I'm the owner and craftsman behind Knot Your Average Grain. Before I became a full-time woodworker, I spent 20 years serving in the U.S. Navy, where I retired as a Chief Petty Officer.

I joined the Navy in 2001, right after graduating high school in New Hampshire. I began my career as a Fire Controlman, but after a few years, I transitioned to Navy Counselor, which took me to new challenges and experiences. During my time in service, I was stationed aboard the USS The Sullivans (DDG 68) for nearly six years and later became a recruiter, traveling across the country, with my final assignment in Buffalo, NY.

When I retired and returned home to New Hampshire, I knew it was time to follow my passion for woodworking. I set up my workshop on the beautiful Seacoast of NH, where I now create custom wood pieces that reflect the same dedication and precision that I applied during my military career.

Along the way, I’ve been blessed with an incredible family—my wife and three amazing sons—who support and inspire me every day. Building custom pieces in my shop isn’t just a career; it’s a way of giving back to my community and creating lasting pieces for families to enjoy.

Thank you for visiting my workshop—I look forward to bringing your ideas to life with the same care and craftsmanship that I’ve always strived for, whether on the job or in the shop..

FAQs

  • Our current lead times are approximately 3 weeks. If you have a specific date, you need something by, please let us know so we can try to accommodate.

  • Definitely! Fill out our custom order form and we’ll get back with you to discuss your ideas.

  • Definitely! This is something we do quite frequently, and something we’ve gotten quite good at. We might even be able to apply a discount for you.

  • We sure do! If you are at a location with an FPO/APO address you can purchase as normal directly through the site.

    If you need something sent to an international address, please just reach out to make arrangements.