RYP Design

Robert Young Pelton and William Harsey, Jr collaborate to create the ultimate tribute to Army Special Forces/CIA Paramilitary legend, Billy Waugh.

Robert Young Pelton first met Billy Waugh in a Texas Waffle House. Billy was getting married later that day but took the time to meet Pelton to talk about his life as CIA paramilitary and Special Forces legend.  As a knife designer, Pelton asked Billy what he carried on his missions deep behind enemy lines during the Vietnam War. Billy remembered his favorite tools being the local parang, the old WW2 issue and the machine stamped DEMO knife issued to soldiers. 

Pelton offered to design a series of knives that would integrate Billy’s hard earned ideas into a new reimagining of tactical blades. 

Together, Pelton and Harsey fine-tuned a design only a warrior of Billy Waugh's level could sign off on.

Billy Waugh of Bastrop, Texas hitchhiked and signed up for World War II but was sent home for being too young.  He finally signed up for the Army and very quickly chose the most dangerous tasks our nation demanded: U.S. Army Special Forces.  

Robert Young Pelton first met Billy when he was writing his book Licensed to Kill, Hired Guns in The War on Terror.  Driving his cop Harley across the country during the winter,  Billy graciously took out time from his wedding day to meet at the local Waffle House.