KnivesByHand is a no-nonsense knife brand built by someone who actually uses knives, for people who depend on them.
Who These Knives Are For
These knives are built for people who rely on their gear. They’re for bushcrafters, survivalists, preparedness-minded users, and professionals who need a blade that holds up to chopping, batoning, and sustained field use. If you value durability, simple materials, and proven design over trends and ultralight specs, you’re in the right place.
They are not for collectors, casual EDC buyers, or anyone looking for a display piece. These knives are meant to be used, worn, and trusted when conditions are unforgiving.
OUR VISION
Knives By Hand makes purpose-built knives for bushcraft, survival, and hard field use. Designed with function first, forged with proven methods, and made to be relied on—not collected.. Knives are designed for actual use and made to be durable and to be used and not in a display case. Dedicated to Knives that are made from the old ways using a forge and hammer. All knives are made out of High Carbon steel. Knives are to be rugged and functional over “pretty”.
If you want a lightweight trend knife or a display piece, this probably isn’t for you. Not designed for ultralight kits, desk drawers, or Instagram photos.
Why Nepal for Khukuri knives
Nepal is where the khukuri was proven under combat, hard labor, and sustained field use. For generations, Nepalese smiths forged blades for soldiers and working men who couldn’t afford failure. These knives were built to endure impact, abuse, and neglect—and still function.
We build in Nepal because the forging methods prioritize toughness and resilience over cosmetic perfection. These blades are designed to handle chopping, batoning, and extended use without compromise. We control the specifications, materials, and quality standards, rejecting anything that doesn’t meet real-world performance requirements.
This isn’t boutique production or mass outsourcing. It’s a deliberate choice rooted in field-proven design. If a knife isn’t dependable when resupply isn’t an option, it doesn’t make the cut.
OUR BRAND
Knives By Hand is a knife worth using. We hope that once you receive yours that you hope to go ‘test’ it out in your backyard. These knives are meant to be by your side out in the wilderness and we hope to see you there making new trails. KnivesByHand was built by someone who believes a knife should earn it’s place. Not by hype. Not by trends, but by balance and honest workmanship. Every design starts with function – how it cuts, how it carries, how it survives real use. Tradition matters her, but only where it serves a purpose. By working directly with skilled makers and staying involved at every step, KnivesByHand bridges old-world forging with modern expectations. The result is not a factory product. It is a working knife with a story you can feel the first time you pick it up.
OUR WORK
We pride ourselves in being called Knives by Hand and we are called that for good reason. All Knives are brought into existence with brute force. We like to think of it not as work, but our daily exercise that happens to put food on the table. We currently have two streams of production at the moment. Me and a few families in Nepal.
Why Nepal? The people of Nepal (Gurhkas) have been fighting by our side in WWII, Vietnam, Afghanistan and various other conflicts. They will begin making my designs for me. This will also allow me to keep costs down and much of the money will go to Gurkha’s that fought beside our soldiers who receive no benefits after service.I will personally be working with Nepal to get these right.
KnivesByHand was founded with a single purpose: to preserve and deliver true hand-forged blades made the way they were meant to be made. Our forging workshop is located in Nepal, the historic birthplace of the khukuri. This is not outsourcing or mass production—it is a deliberate choice to work directly with highly skilled bladesmiths whose knowledge has been passed down through generations. These craftsmen forge each blade using traditional methods that modern factories simply cannot replicate, resulting in exceptional strength, balance, and character.
Every blade begins its life in Nepal, where it is hand-forged, heat treated, and rough-finished by experienced smiths in a dedicated workshop environment. From there, each knife is inspected and finished to meet KnivesByHand standards before being offered to our customers. This direct relationship allows us to maintain strict quality control while honoring the craft’s origins.
We believe a great knife should tell a story—of skill, heritage, and purpose. By combining time-tested forging techniques with modern performance expectations, KnivesByHand delivers blades that are not only functional tools, but lasting companions.
No two knives are exactly alike. Each carries the subtle marks of hand forging, a reminder that it was shaped by human hands, not machines.
KnivesByHand is committed to honest craftsmanship, ethical production, and blades built to be used—not displayed.
FUTURE
I started this business years ago. I found I could not grow the business with me doing everything – Production, Customer Service, Website, Janitor, etc. In addition, my elbow was starting to show the pains of getting older (it happens). I had 2 apprentices at one time. One has left for college and the other started his own business. This led to looking at companies that could make my knives. I contacted 5 companies inside the USA . The first 3 companies told me “No”, they were not interested. The 4th Company told me “Yes, but they would want 1 million dollars up front” so I said No. The 5th company told me they would make the knives for me, but they would outsource it to China. I decided I could outsource it myself and choose who I wanted to do it. I went with Nepal. Partly because I had contacts there and partly due to Nepal actually fighting with our troops against the Taliban (Google Gurkha beheads Taliban, Gurkha fights 30 Taliban, etc). If a country was going to make my knives, then I wanted a country that stood with our soldiers in combat. I chose Nepal. I always like the Khukuri (khukri) and new they still did it the old ways passed down from Father to Son. The trick is to find the right blacksmiths. I flew out to Nepal and walked for hours everyday visiting the different Kamis. Shared different ideas and techniques. It was an interesting journey. In short, I will still do a few knives, but I will be slowly becoming more of a designer. Long term is to have all my knives made in Nepal of good quality that can be depended upon for survival.
UPDATE: 12/17/2022 I recently saw a doctor about a wrist problem that suddenly appeared. It is being worked. My time to make knives is coming to an end. I am also planning to get married in the near future to an amazing woman. She rides horseback, shoots rifles and forged a ring for me. How cool is that….