Los Angeles isn’t just a hub for entertainment—it’s a thriving destination for knife enthusiasts, professional chefs, tactical users, and collectors seeking exceptional blades. What sets Los Angeles knives apart? A unique fusion of global craftsmanship: from the precision of Japanese kitchen knives to the rugged durability of American tactical blades, and the artistry of custom handcrafted pieces. Whether you’re a home cook hunting for a reliable chef’s knife, an outdoor adventurer needing a survival tool, or a retailer sourcing premium products, LA’s knife stores and makers cater to every niche.
This guide dives deep into the top knife companies in Los Angeles and skilled knife makers in LA, complete with detailed addresses, core offerings, brand backgrounds, and “best for” use cases. We’ll also answer common questions about buying, maintaining, and sourcing knives in LA—plus, share how European and American wholesalers, retailers, and brand owners can partner with a trusted Chinese knife manufacturer for bulk, OEM, or private label needs.
Top Knife Companies in Los Angeles
Ross Cutlery
- Founded: 1958 (over 65 years of serving the LA knife community)
- Best For: Law enforcement officers, military personnel, outdoor adventurers, and casual users needing durable, affordable tactical blades.
| Location | 324 S. Broadway Los Angeles, CA |
| Product Categories | Kitchen Knives Professional-Grade Knives Everyday Carry (EDC) & Collectible Knives |
| Why It Matters | As one of LA’s oldest knife stores, Ross Cutlery has built a reputation for reliability. Their inventory focuses on USA-made tactical knives that balance performance and price—perfect for anyone prioritizing durability without breaking the bank. |
Japanese Knife Imports (JKI)
- Founded: 2010 (a leader in luxury Japanese knife retail)
- Best For: Michelin-starred chefs, celebrity home cooks, knife collectors, and gift shoppers seeking luxury culinary tools.
- Unique Features: Personalized knife consulting (where experts help customers match blades to their cooking style), custom engraving for gifting, and a “knife concierge” service that delivers blades to homes or restaurants in LA.
| Location | Beverly Hills, CA |
| Product Categories | Premium Japanese chef’s knives limited-edition collector’s blades custom-engraved knives |
| Why It Matters | JKI is the only Beverly Hills knife store dedicated exclusively to luxury Japanese blades. Their selection focuses on rare, high-end models—many of which are hand-forged by master Japanese craftsmen—and their customer service caters to discerning users who demand the best. |
Chef’s Toys
- Founded: 1988 (specializing in commercial foodservice equipment and knives)
- Best For: Restaurant owners, culinary schools, catering companies, and professional chefs needing bulk or commercial-grade knives.
- Unique Features: Custom bulk ordering (minimum 50 knives) with logo engraving, free delivery for LA-based businesses, and a “knife replacement program” for worn commercial blades.
| Location | Sepulveda Blvd, LA |
| Product Categories | kitchen knives bulk knife sets for restaurants culinary school kits |
| Why It Matters | Chef’s Toys is LA’s go-to for restaurant knife supplies. They understand the demands of commercial kitchens—offering durable, easy-to-maintain blades at wholesale prices—and their team includes former chefs who can recommend the right tools for any kitchen. |
Recon 1
- Founded: 1996 (focused on tactical and survival knives)
- Best For: Military personnel, hunters, campers, and tactical users needing blades that withstand extreme conditions.
- Unique Features: Blade customization (customers can choose handle material and blade finish), a “lifetime warranty” on all knives, and partnerships with LA-based survival schools for product testing.
| Location | 17200 Ventura Blvd, Ste 107, Encino, CA |
| Product Categories | Tactical fixed-blade knives Folding EDC knives military-grade blades |
| Why It Matters | Recon 1 designs knives with input from active-duty military members—ensuring each blade meets tactical performance standards. Their products are rigorously tested for strength, corrosion resistance, and ease of use, making them a trusted choice for high-stakes environments. |
E Chef Knife
- Founded: 2012 (affordable kitchen knives for home cooks)
- Best For: Home cooks, college students, and anyone new to cooking who wants reliable knives without high prices.
- Unique Features: “Try Before You Buy” in-store (customers can test knives on cutting boards), free knife sharpening for the first year of purchase, and affordable replacement blades.
| Location | Artesia Blvd, Redondo Beach, CA |
| Product Categories | Budget-friendly kitchen knives(chef’s knives, paring knives, cleavers) |
| Why It Matters | E Chef Knife fills a gap in LA’s market for affordable home kitchen knives. Their products are simple, durable, and designed for everyday use—perfect for anyone who cooks regularly but doesn’t need professional-grade blades. |
Emerson Knives
- Founded: 1996 (founded by renowned knife designer Ernest Emerson)
- Best For: Knife collectors, tactical professionals, and enthusiasts seeking blades designed by a legendary knife maker.
- Unique Features: Hand-finished blades (each knife is inspected by Ernest Emerson), limited production runs (some models sell out within days), and factory tours for serious collectors.
| Location | Harbor City, CA |
| Product Categories | Premium tactical knives custom EDC blades tactical folding knife |
| Why It Matters | Emerson Knives is synonymous with high-performance tactical design. Ernest Emerson invented the “wave feature” (a mechanism that opens folding knives quickly), and his blades are trusted by elite military units (like the Navy SEALs) and law enforcement agencies globally. |
Top Knife Makers in Los Angeles: Artisan Craftsmanship
Rhino Custom Knives
Rhino Custom Knives (the correct name, with a possible previous typo as “Rhino Knive”) is a handcrafted knife studio led by Los Angeles-based bladesmith Laurence Segal, focusing on custom kitchen knives, outdoor knives, and tactical knives.
| Location | Santa Monica, Los Angeles |
| Product Categories | Kitchen Knives Outdoor & Tactical Knives |
| Why Choose Them | Bespoke customization: Offers one-on-one design for blade shape, materials (wood/titanium alloy, etc.) and engravings, tailored to personal needs |
Fell Knives
Nicholas Berkofsky, crafts his knives and jewelry in Downtown Los Angeles, California, focusing on one of a kind distinctive pieces. He mostly makes Kitchen cutlery taking inspiration from both Japanese and European blade-smiths. Materials used for the knives incorporate high carbon steels or high performance stainless, and a wide variety of handle materials sourced from small sustainable businesses.
| Location | Downtown Los Angeles, California |
| Product Categories | Kitchen cutlery(taking inspiration from both Japanese and European blade-smiths) |
| Why Choose Them | Fully Handcrafted Premium Materials & Craftsmanship Unique & Flexible Design |
Iron & Sand Malibu
Raised in Malibu, Dane Skophammer grew up fishing, surfing, and hiking its hills. A former top chef (notably Executive Chef at Malibu Farm), he turned to kitchen bladesmithing—blending culinary know-how and artisan skills. His unique pieces reflect Malibu’s essence, using storied materials (vineyard barrel wood, wildfire-salvaged metal) as works of art.
| Location | Malibu, CA |
| Product Categories | Handmade kitchen knives (gyuto, santoku, paring) |
| Why Choose Them | Iron & Sand Malibu is more than a knife maker—it’s a celebration of LA’s coastal culture. Their blades are handmade with local, sustainable materials, making them perfect for anyone who wants a knife that tells a story |
Lockhart Knives
Lockhart Knives was founded by Benjamin Lockhart Baker, a self-taught bladesmith based in Los Angeles, California. A lifelong knife enthusiast, he began carving wooden knives at age 7, experimented with metal forging at 12, and crafted functional blades by 16. Later, he merged his engineering background and motorcycle customization experience into bladesmithing; by 35, he had mastered core techniques like forging and Damascus steel making, developing a distinct American handmade knife style.
| Location | Los Angeles, California |
| Product Categories | Sidewinder Tactical Knife Hand-Forged Hunting Knives |
| Why Choose Them | Fully Hand-Forged & Customized Design Modern Craftsmanship Meets Heritage Tactical/Field-Focused Detail |
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of knife stores are most common in Los Angeles?
Los Angeles has a diverse mix of knife store types to match different needs: specialty culinary knife stores (focused on chef’s knives for home cooks and professionals), tactical/outdoor knife shops (catering to adventurers, military, and law enforcement), luxury collector-focused stores (offering rare Japanese or handcrafted blades), and commercial foodservice suppliers (for bulk restaurant orders). There are also independent local shops and a few niche stores that combine retail with sharpening/repair services.
Do any knife stores in Los Angeles specialize in Japanese chef’s knives?
Yes—several LA knife stores specialize in authentic Japanese chef’s knives. Standouts include Japanese Knife Imports (JKI) in Beverly Hills (known for luxury models from top Japanese forges like Konosuke and Shun) and Hitachi Ya USA in Chinatown (offering mid-range to high-end Japanese blades, plus traditional whetstones and care tools). Both stores employ staff with expertise in Japanese knife craftsmanship to help buyers choose the right gyuto, santoku, or deba knife.
Source High-Quality Chinese-Made Knives with Leeknives
Whether you’re a wholesaler, retailer, or brand owner, finding reliable knife suppliers is key to growing your business. LA’s artisan makers and specialty stores offer exceptional handcrafted and imported blades—but if you’re looking for affordable, high-quality bulk knives (kitchen, tactical, or custom-style) to stock your shelves, Leeknives is your trusted partner.
We’re a Chinese knife manufacturer specializing in three core services tailored to your needs:
- Wholesale knives: Competitive pricing for large quantities, with options for kitchen, tactical, and outdoor styles.
- OEM services: Customize blades to your exact specifications—choose steel type (stainless, high-carbon, Damascus), blade length, handle material, and grind style to match your brand’s vision.
- Private label: Add your logo, custom packaging, and branding to create unique products that stand out in the market—perfect for retailers or brand owners wanting to build loyalty.
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