Meet Jake Diaz of Happy as Larry Knives

“Happy as Larry” is a classic piece of Australian slang used to describe someone who is extremely happy, cheerful, and content—grinning from ear to ear, just like the feeling of opening a new knife. The name is playful and intriguing, and while who Larry actually is may always remain a mystery, the spirit of happiness and satisfaction runs through everything the brand represents.

Behind the name is Australian designer Jake Diaz, a product designer who has spent nearly 20 years creating products for local manufacturers before fully leaning into knife design. His interest in knives was sparked when he carried a custom knife made by his brother, and he quickly realized that knife design perfectly blends geometry, aesthetics, and creative problem solving.

From Sketches to Signature Style

Jake describes style as an evolution born from repetition and refinement, and he spends thousands of hours sketching and exploring ideas. His concepts are wild and varied, but every design must pass his personal test of being considered, bold, and graceful.

All of his knives start in sketch form, often from a single spine line, curve, or the way a blade flows from the handle around the pivot that captures his imagination. By the time a design moves beyond the sketchbook, it has usually gone through hundreds of iterations on paper, each one pushing the balance between function, geometry, and style.

What Makes a Great EDC?

For Jake, a great Every Day Carry (EDC) knife starts with confidence in use: it must give the user the feeling that it is absolutely up to the task at hand. If a knife does not inspire that trust, then it is simply the wrong tool for the job.

He also believes that design and style are deeply personal. If pulling a knife from your pocket gives you a quiet sense of happiness, then the design has done its job perfectly. At the same time, knives are tools first; they must be practical to use and comfortable to manipulate, with blade geometry and ergonomics working together to deliver reliable performance in the hand.

Partnering with CJRB

Coming from an Australian manufacturing background, Jake is deeply influenced by efficiency of production and the “less is more” design philosophy, both in aesthetics and in the processes behind the product. That is one of the key reasons he chose to collaborate with CJRB: the brand strikes a balance between utility and reliability, while still leaving room for creative flair that keeps things interesting.

This shared mindset made CJRB a natural platform to bring his distinct and creative design language to a wider audience, translating custom-level thoughtfulness into accessible production knives without losing character.

The Lanky, Fugly, and Spud: Design Stories

The Lanky began with a simple problem: Jake once carried a slim knife in his shirt pocket at a wedding, but it still felt too large and heavy for the occasion. That experience led him to design a knife that would feel as slim and elegant to carry as a fine pen—lightweight, refined, and easy to wear, yet still reliable, structurally sound, and full of integrity and class.

One of the most exciting aspects for Jake in seeing his designs move from custom builds to production models is watching users discover small details and “surprise moments” he builds into each knife. Examples include:

• The realization that the Fugly can be reverse flicked open off the two blade grooves.
• The Lanky’s pocket clip can be mounted in three positions by loosening the tail screw.
• His upcoming CJRB design, the Spud, continues this tradition with a small knife that melts into the hand and a quick-release lanyard clip designed for reliability and ease of use.

Everyday Carry and Advice for New Designers

Outside of knives, Jake’s pockets are surprisingly minimal: he is not a fancy pen or flashlight enthusiast, and besides his phone, the one item that always comes with him is his AirPods. With them in, he can block out distractions and focus on sketching or CAD work, staying immersed in the design process wherever he is.

As he puts it, professional designers and manufacturers can always tell who has truly put in the work.