Custom Handmade Knives – Each Blade Uniquely Crafted
HM Knives is a family workshop that has been forging knives by hand since 2020. Eight craftsmen, each blade shaped on an anvil from a steel billet rather than stamped from sheet. There are currently 64 pieces in the catalogue, from $95 to $370 — hunting, bowie, skinner, kitchen, folding and outdoor knives, plus Viking axes.
Construction varies by piece — some are full tang, others hidden or half tang, and every listing says which. What does not vary: HRC 58–60, a full-grain leather sheath, and worldwide tracked delivery. Our Damascus is 1095 and 15N20 forge-welded, folded and etched; we also work in plain 1095, J2 and D2.
One thing we would rather tell you now than have you discover later: our Damascus is carbon steel, and carbon steel rusts. Dry it, keep a film of oil on it, and store it out of the sheath, and it will outlive you. Leave it wet and it will spot. Anyone selling Damascus as stainless is describing a different product — we explain the difference in our Damascus vs high carbon guide.
Popular Products
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13 Inch Bowie Knife — Damascus Steel, Bone and Bull Horn Handle
$185.00 -
Damascus Dagger Knife — Built for Hunting and Outdoor Survival
$155.00 -
Back Lock Knife Hand Made Damascus Folding EDC Knife
$110.00 -
18 Inch Hunting Knife — Damascus Steel, Genuine Stag Handle
$355.00 -
Bone Handle Chef Knife — Damascus Steel, 11 Inches
$140.00 -
Full Tang Skinner Knife — J2 Steel with Sheep Horn Handle
$125.00 -
Bearded Viking Axe — Forged Carbon Steel with Ashwood Handle & Brown Leather Wrap
$190.00
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What Every Knife Has in Common
| Construction | Stated on every listing — some full tang, some hidden or half tang. Full tang matters most on long, heavy blades |
| Hardness | HRC 58–60 across knives and axes |
| Damascus billet | 1095 + 15N20, forge-welded and etched. Carbon steel, so it needs oiling |
| Other steels | 1095, J2, and D2 tool steel |
| Handles | Bone, stag, bull and sheep horn, micarta, resin, wenge and other woods |
| Included | A full-grain leather sheath with every piece |
| Made by | Eight craftsmen, work split by stage, in a family workshop trading since 2020 |
| Shipping | Worldwide, tracked. Most orders leave within 7 working days |
| Returns | 15 days on unused items in original packaging. Custom and engraved pieces are not returnable |
Not Sure Which Knife You Need? Start Here
Fifteen guides written by the people who make the knives, not by a marketing department. No knife is recommended in them that we would not recommend in person.
- Damascus vs High Carbon Steel — what the layers genuinely change, and what they do not.
- How to Choose the Right Hunting Knife — blade length by game size, and why the guard is a safety feature.
- Blade Profiles and When to Use Them — drop point, clip point, tanto and the rest, compared on tip strength and belly.
- Knife Steel Types — what 1095, 15N20, J2 and D2 actually do differently.
- Knife Maintenance & Care — the routine that keeps a carbon blade alive, in minutes a week.
- How to Sharpen a Knife — the whetstone sequence, step by step.
All fifteen are on the guides index.
Common Questions
Does Damascus steel rust?
Yes. Our Damascus is 1095 and 15N20 forge-welded together, and both are carbon steels, so there is no chromium film protecting the surface. Wipe it dry, keep a light film of oil on the blade, and store it out of the leather sheath. Looked after it lasts generations; left wet it will spot within days.
Are these knives really handmade?
Yes. Each blade starts as a steel billet and is shaped by hand on an anvil rather than stamped from sheet steel. Eight craftsmen work in the shop and the work is split by stage, so a knife passes through several pairs of hands before it is finished.
How hard are the blades?
HRC 58 to 60 across the whole range, knives and axes alike. That is hard enough to hold an edge properly and soft enough not to chip in use.
Do you ship worldwide?
Yes, with tracked delivery through DHL, FedEx and USPS. Most orders leave within 7 working days. Import duties and customs clearance are the buyer’s responsibility, so please check your local law allows the item before ordering.
What comes with the knife?
A full-grain leather sheath with every piece. Custom engraving on the blade or sheath is available on request, though engraved orders take longer and cannot be cancelled once production starts.
What is your returns policy?
15 days from receipt, on unused items in their original packaging. Sale items cannot be refunded, and exchanges are offered only for defective or damaged goods. Custom and personalised pieces are not returnable because they cannot be resold.
Who makes HM Knives?
A family business founded by Philip Thapa, who has been making knives for 23 years and learned the trade through his family. The workshop has been trading since 2020 and has eight craftsmen.
More on shipping, returns, steel and care on our full FAQ page.