Questions

Right now, about three to four weeks to delivery. It moves with the queue and with how involved the build is. You will get progress photos at each stage rather than silence, and if something slips I will tell you before you have to ask.

Every knife is made to order and priced to its own build — steel, size, handle material, fittings, and sheath all move the number, so there is no price list. Get a quote: tell me what you need the knife to do, and I will come back to talk through the type of blade and give you an honest price rather than a padded one.

A deposit starts the work and the balance is due when the piece is finished and photographed, before it ships. Nothing goes in the fire until the deposit lands, and you are never asked for the balance on something you have not seen.

Insured and signature-required (if desired) within the United States. You get tracking the day it goes out.

Not through the site right now. Write to the shop and we will work out whether it is possible to your country — some places make it straightforward and some make it impossible.

Knife law varies by state, county, and sometimes city, and it is on you to know your own. Blade length limits and carry rules are the usual sticking points. If you are unsure, check your local statute before ordering.

Carbon steel takes a keener edge, is easier to sharpen, and is tougher at a given hardness. The trade is that it will rust if you leave it wet. Wipe it dry after use and it will be fine for a lifetime.

No — that is patina, and it is doing you a favour. It is a stable grey oxide that forms on carbon steel and physically occupies the space red rust would otherwise take. Let it happen. Orange or red powder is the kind to worry about, and a little oil and a scotch pad takes it off.

The American Bladesmith Society is the standards body for forged blades in the US. Apprentice is the first rating. Moving up means putting work in front of Master Smiths who will fail it if it deserves to fail — it is a deliberately slow ladder.

Yes. The blades are moved to shape under a hammer from bar stock, not cut out of flat plate. Forging puts the mass where the knife needs it and leaves the grain running along the edge. It is slower and there is no undo.

Not exactly — every piece here is one of one, and two knives made to the same drawing still come out different. But if you saw something you liked, tell me which one and I will build you something in that spirit.