What we use
Materials
Every material in an Artizan knife is chosen deliberately. Here is what goes into the blades and handles — and why.
The blade
Steel
1084 High Carbon
High CarbonHardness: 58–61 HRC
Our most versatile carbon steel. Used in hunting, outdoor, and EDC knives where toughness matters as much as sharpness. Forgiving to sharpen and responds well to heat treatment.
1095 High Carbon
High CarbonHardness: 57–60 HRC
A proven high-carbon steel with a long history in working knives. Slightly more wear-resistant than 1084. Common in hunting and camp knives.
O1 Tool Steel
High CarbonHardness: 60–62 HRC
An oil-hardening tool steel prized for its fine grain and ability to take an extremely keen edge. Used in our premium kitchen and collector pieces.
VG10 Stainless Core
StainlessHardness: 60–62 HRC
A Japanese stainless steel with high hardness and excellent edge retention. Often used as the cutting core in Damascus-clad kitchen knives.
Damascus — Pattern Welded
DamascusHardness: 58–61 HRC
Forge-welded layers of 1084 and 15N20 steel, folded to 100–400 layers. The nickel in 15N20 resists etch and creates the bright contrast pattern. Performance matches the constituent steels.
5160 Spring Steel
High CarbonHardness: 56–59 HRC
A chromium-vanadium spring steel used in boning knives and heavy-use blades where flexibility and shock resistance are required.
The grip
Handle Materials
Stabilized Maple Burl
Vacuum-impregnated resin makes natural burl waterproof and dimensionally stable. No two pieces are identical. Available in a range of dye colours.
Walnut
Classic dark brown hardwood with a straight to slightly wavy grain. Warm in the hand, strong, takes a beautiful finish. Requires occasional oiling.
Olive Wood
Dense Mediterranean hardwood with rich amber and brown streaks. Naturally oily, highly durable, and visually striking.
Linen Micarta
Layers of linen fabric compressed in phenolic resin. Nearly indestructible, impervious to moisture, excellent grip in wet conditions. The standard for working outdoor knives.
G10 Fibreglass
Glass-fibre laminate with very high rigidity and dimensional stability. Available in black, olive, and other colours. The go-to material for tactical and EDC handles.
Stag Antler
Shed antler from white-tail deer. Cream and amber colouration, natural texture, completely unique. Selected for consistency and absence of checks. For collector and hunting pieces.
Carbon Fibre
Woven carbon fibre laminate. Extremely light, rigid, and visually distinctive with its characteristic weave pattern.
Want a specific steel or handle material combination? Every custom order is built around your requirements.
Commission a Custom Knife