Handmade knives are expensive. Sometimes they are leagues more expensive than mass produced knives, and on top of that, there are some very good mass produced knives out there that are surprisingly affordable.
Knowing this, and knowing that knives are tools that are intended to be used, and used hard at that, why would you ever want to put good money into handmade knives knowing the cost?
Well, there are some very utilitarian reasons for doing so. Start with these.
Superior Durability
Steel alloy is steel alloy, as is scale material. Handmade doesn’t have much to do with that. But recall that knives must be forged, not cast. Even mass produced knives are generally drop forged because it results in more consistent steel grain structure and internal consistency.
Truly handmade knives are forged by hand, not just fitted by hand. As a result, they generally offer superior structural integrity than mass produced knives, of course, if you hold all other factors constant.
More Consistent Heat Treatment
This one is probably the biggest reason to invest in handmade knives. It takes the skill of a blacksmith to truly apply a consistent heat treatment. The process can be somewhat automated but done properly by hand, it’ll be better every time.
Steel that’s heated to the proper temperature, held there, and then quenched by the hand of a skilled smith is going to have better toughness, better general durability, and perhaps most importantly, better edge retention than a comparable mass produced knife.
Knives that are handmade, and done properly, will have superior, more consistent heat treatments across the board, period.
Better Fit and Finish
Handmade knives will also invariably have a better fit and finish than comparable mass produced knives, and more often than not, noticeably so. This of course holds materials constant, and does not suggest that handmade knives are necessarily made with better materials, just that the fit and finish will be superior since the eyes and hands of a craftsman were on the knife throughout the entire process.
Better Character and Aesthetic Appeal
Lastly, handmade knives are generally more attractive than their mass-produced counterparts. While this is not universally true, craftsmen generally take pride in their work and exert themselves to produce quality in their wares, so there’s a better chance that a handmade knife will exhibit a memorable design or make use of high-end steels or scale or sheath materials.
Looking to Explore a Collection of Handmade Knives?
Interested in adding a handmade knife to your collection, or carrying one daily? Check out what’s in stock over at The Knife Connection. They carry a bunch of handmade knives from top brands like Dave Wenger, LT Wright, Tactical Pterodactyl and plenty of others, and there are many other top brands in their catalog as well. In addition to handmade knives they also sell ESEE, Buck, and TOPS knives, along with accessories like sheaths and fire starters. Visit their website to learn more or get in touch with them today.
For more information about Bushcraft Knife and Bradford Guardian 3 Please visit: The Knife Connection.
