Our Process

Our knives are hand forged, one at a time, in small batches using traditional Japanese bladesmithing techniques.

Our blades are heated in a solid fuel forge for its carbon rich atmosphere, increasing the carbon content in the steel. They are then hammered under a power hammer and by hand to final thickness. When the billets are refined to final shape and ready to heat, they go back into the forge where, one by one, they are carefully brought up to just the right temperature, quenched in water, and tempered.

From there, the secondary and primary edges are ground on water cooled grinders. After the blade is complete we shape and mount wooden handles. We choose wood for its natural beauty, feel in the hand and time honored use.

All of our knives are made by hand and eye, using no jigs or forms. Each knife in a line will be similar, but unique, as each leaf on an oak tree is an oak leaf, but each one is unique. We strive to make our knives beautiful, cut like no other and to be special for you.

The Steel

Our knives are made of a three layer laminate with a carbon steel core and stainless steel cladding. The core is Hitachi White Steel # 1 and the cladding is 410 Stainless Steel. This combination gives excellent cutting performance and ease of maintenance. Hitachi White Steel #1 is considered by many one of the finest cutlery steels in the world.

Some of our daily carry/bushcraft knives are made with Damascus steel.