knife forging

Crafting Hand Forged Knives for 30 Years

  • Only the best smith: Each one of our blacksmiths have vast experience in forging knives. They are intimately familiar with the intricacies of the forging process, as if it's their second nature.
  • We know how to solve your problems: At LeeKnives, we've collaborated with numerous clients, each with distinct concepts, and managed a variety of steel blades. Our ability to resolve every challenge is well-honed. Try us and you’ll know.
  • Customization and designs: Crafting knife designs tailored to your requirements with an artisanal touch. Adding your brand to our knives seamlessly and effortlessly.
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Wholesale Handmade Kitchen Knives

Each of our handmade kitchen knives features a distinctive and utterly unique pattern design, a signature of our skilled blacksmith. The blade undergoes a long forging process in the workshop, being hammered hundreds of times to achieve the perfect shape. The following catalog features knives made from wooden handles, 7Cr and 9Cr blade steel; however, the materials are customizable.

  • Looking for something specific? Contact us for help. We have the tools and skills to develop nearly any knife you want. Learn more about our processes.

Forged vs Stamped Knives

We are experts in making both types of knives.

Learn more about our process
hand forged knife

Hand Forged Knives

Not exclusively devoid of machinery, the creation of hand-forged knives involves a higher degree of human craftsmanship compared to stamped knives, particularly in the first step. They are heated up in a forge, and shaped using a hammer repeatedly by talented blacksmiths. People give the following reasonings when choosing a hand forged knife:

  • Most layered steel blades are hand-forged. This includes pattern-welding Damascus steel and San-Mai steel.
  • Hammered steel blade has a unique texture to it. Many actively seek the raw, untreated hammered surface of a knife blade.
  • By choosing hand forged knives, you are honoring and supporting the tradition.
knife stamping

Stamped Knives

Stamped knives are those that machines shape from a sheet of raw steel, bypassing the hammering process. Brands often opt for stamped knives over handmade alternatives due to the subsequent reasons:

  • It’s much more efficient to stamp a large quantity of knife blades. Without the labor work, they are also more cost-effective. 
  • Stamping delivers a more consistent result. Each blade is within the intended shape and design. 
  • Crafting higher-end, high-alloy steel proves to be a near-impossible task when done manually, demanding time and effort investments. Such steel includes S110V, ZDP-189, etc. Most knives made from these steel are stamped.

Going Above and Beyond

Competitive Pricing

Located in one of the biggest cities for knife manufacturing, we have access to many resources that enable us to effectively manage pricing and ensure competitiveness.

Strict QC Process

We take a pause and inspect the knife each stage of the production. We have established a comprehensive workflow to ensure the knife is perfect every step of the way.

No Order Goes Unfulfilled

We never fail to deliver even when managing complex and large productions. We will allocate resources optimally to ensure your satisfaction by any means possible.

Handmade Knife Bulk Buying Guide for Sellers

We always tell our clients to have a clear picture of their customer base before bulk purchases. Based on your understanding to select the appropriate materials, make informed design decisions, and determine the allocated budget for each production phase.

Besides material, consider parts of a knife that make different use such as bolster, tang, and handle designs. Consider adding accessories like a knife sheath or bag, assembling a knife set, etc.

No matter what specific culinary domain you specialize in—be it Japanese or Western cuisine, butchering or fishery—a versatile all-purpose knife remains an indispensable tool. 

We strongly advise you to include essential all-purpose knives, such as a chef’s knife, gyuto, Chinese cleaver, and other knives tailored to your particular niche, ensuring a well-rounded and functional knife collection.

Beyond mere sharpness, a truly exceptional kitchen knife warrants attention to the following aspects:

  • Overall design: Scrutinize the knife's design and see if the product is what you initially expected.  
  • Blade hardness: Assess the hardness of the blade material.
  • Sharpness and edge retention: Evaluate sharpness and its sustained duration.
  • Handle geometry, comfort, and durability
  • Blade rust resistance and toughness: Gauge the blade's resistance to both rust and forceful impact.

Following the best and the most accurate practice when inspecting a knife is paramount. Thorough testing to resolve any issues prior to mass production can significantly eliminate unnecessary troubles.

Handmade knives are an inherent marketing focal point. The rich history of steel forging naturally captivates buyers. Additionally, most layered steel needs to be hand-forged.

FAQ

For the most part, we employ wooden handles, this is true for both stamped and hand-forged kitchen knives. Exclusive use of premium hardwoods, such as rosewood and ebony, is a hallmark of our approach. In tandem with our blacksmiths, we also have skilled woodworkers who specialize in meticulously crafting these wooden handles.

Yes. It takes longer for us to craft handmade knives as they cannot be forged in large quantities simultaneously. That being said, we make concerted efforts to minimize discrepancies in lead times across products by dedicating additional resources to the production of handmade knives. Anticipate a lead time of within 15 days for wholesale handmade knives. And 45 days in cases involving customizations.

We work with Chinese made steel the most since they are the most accessible. Nevertheless, we possess proficiency in working with various steel, including AUS-8, D2, and S35VN. Unlike stamping, the art of hand-forging knives demands a blacksmith's understanding of the precise heating temperatures and hammering techniques unique to each steel type, given their varying properties. Luckily our blacksmiths are up to the challenge. 

Ultimately, we accommodate all kinds of steel. If you are able to supply the steel, we can forge it to your specifications. Alternatively, should you require assistance in sourcing the optimal steel for your knife production, we are able to help.

Yes and yes. The intricate patterns on the blade and the handle are our creations. And we welcome the opportunity for you to imprint your designs through engraving. Furthermore, our customization doesn’t stop there! We are able to print your brand’s logo as well, and give personalized packaging.

No. The sheath is a separate item. Which, lucky for you, we have a dedicated page for them. The knife sheaths are manufactured by LeeKnives as well offering a diverse range of leather and synthetic materials.

Naturally. Human labor costs more compared to machines. While pricing is largely influenced by factors like materials and specific designs, it holds true that handmade knives are in general more expensive than stamped knives.

The reason for us to have a limited collection of handmade kitchen knife samples is because most clients want to keep their orders private. However, rest assured that our expertise in crafting handmade knives is substantial. While our current sample selection may be limited, we may expand the catalog in the future, so please stay tuned!

Handmade Knives Are Our Expertise

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