About Our Blades

In perfect symmetry with our handcrafted exotic wood handles, our cutlery products are made with individually hand-forged Japanese stainless steel or carbon-forged blades that are among the sharpest, most precise cutting instruments in the world.

Call Us: 808-883-0128 

E-Mail Us: SalterFineCutlery@gmail.com

or: Sales@SalterFineCutlery.com

Custom Charybdis design series by Salter Fine Cutlery

In order to provide the very best in quality, along with a wide array of customization options, we have developed collaborative relationships with some of the most renowned master bladesmiths in Japan, each of whom create blades that are distinctive to their "hand" in steel specializations or aesthetic characteristics.

Shirogami carbon steel handmade kiritsuke with polished finish by Salter Fine Cutlery

Sought after for their incomparable quality, our collaboration blades are known for their striking beauty, innovative textures, precision edges, and gorgeous finishes. No two blades are identical. Every blade is remarkable! 

Best handmade VG10 stainless damascus Japanese chef knife from Salter Fine Cutlery of Hawaii

Because we have personally traveled to Japan to meet with our bladesmiths and have seen the care and quality that goes into every hand-forged blade, we know we are working with artisans who are as dedicated to their craft as we are to ours. Having developed personal relationship with the world's best bladesmiths, we have the ability to design and create custom blades in any variety of sizes, styles, and functions using the best steels and most creative finish techniques available. 

Raptor design chef and steak knives exclusively from Salter Fine Cutlery

Customization Options

We proudly offer a wide variety of customizable blade options with either our collaboration or small production blades. Please refer to the following list for some of the steels and finishes available. We welcome all inquiries and will gladly explain what makes each unique and different, as well as assist with making blade recommendations. Please contact us if you need additional information or assistance. 

CALL US: 808-883-0128 or

E-Mail Us: SalterFineCutlery@gmail.com or Sales@SalterFineCutlery.com

Collectible knives Kiku-Salter Collaborations

Collaboration Steels

  • OU-31
  • R2 Clad (no pattern on blade); powder metal die Stainless Steel
  • R2 powder metal die Stainless Steel (damascus or hammered)
  • SRS13 Stainless damascus 
  • VG10 Stainless Steel (damascus pattern or hammered)
  • Gingami3 Stainless Steel (damascus or hammered)
  • Aogami Super Clad (carbon steel cutting edge with stainless steel sides)
  • YSS White Paper Shirogami Carbon Steel aka "Shirogami" Steel
  • YSS Blue Paper Aogami Carbon Steel aka "Aogami" Steel

Chef Knives with White Frost Finish offered by Salter Fine Cutlery

Collaboration Finish Techniques

  • Damascus Pattern
  • Damascus with Hammer Forging Marks
  • Hammered Raptor pattern
  • Hammered
  • Black Matte
  • Textured
  • Traditional Polish
  • Mirrored Polish
  • Acid-Etched Damascus
  • Satin Clad

Japanese chef knives with mirror damascus finish from Salter Fine Cutlery

Collaboration Style Options

  • Single or Double Bevel (Single-sided or double-sided cutting edge. Most Western-style blades are double bevel and can be used either left- or right-handed; therefore, knives shown throughout our site are double bevel unless otherwise noted.)
  • Left-Handed Single Bevel available by special order
  • "Western Style (full tang)
  • "Wa" Style (hidden tang)
  • Blade Lengths: 3.5" to 15"
  • We offer a wide selection of blade functions. Please let us assist with selecting the correct blade style for the intended home kitchen or outdoor usage.
Handmade highest quality stainless steel Japanese chef knife by Salter Fine Cutlery

Small Production Blade Options

We offer a limited number of "small production" blades paired with our exquisite, fully handcrafted koa handles to provide some more affordable blade options. These blades are made in Japan by small production firms under the guidance and tutelage of a master bladesmith. Many hand processes are used; however, they differ from our collaboration blades in that they are not individually hand-forged by a single bladesmith.

We are very pleased with the quality, sharpness, durability, and edge retention of our small production blades. They are extremely sharp and exceptionally beautiful. Throughout our site, knives and sets made with these blades will be indicated "small production" in our product specifications. For custom ordering small production blades, we offer the following options.

  • VG10 Stainless Steel with Damascus Pattern
  • ZDP-189 Stainless Steel with Damascus Pattern
  • ZDP-189 Stainless Steel with Polished Finish
Deba knife with high quality VG10 stainless Japanese chef knife from Salter Fine Cutlery

    A Note about 'Handmade' Claims

    Blades that are truly handmade from forging through finishing--as ours are--take weeks of individualized, hands-on processing by a master bladesmith. While many knife companies boast 'handmade' claims, they are usually referring to blades that are primarily made by machine but have some minor portion of the process done by hand. Before purchasing any handmade knife, be sure to verify whether the seller is using manufactured blades with minimal handwork, or if they are using blades, such as our collaboration blades, that are individually hand-forged from start to finish using ancient master smithing techniques that require years of apprenticeship and specialized qualifications to perfect.