Knives By Hand
Veteran-owned. Hand-forged. Built to be used.
Who we are.
KnivesByHand is a veteran-owned blade company out of Texas. We make hand-forged kukris, bowies, and fixed blades for people who actually use their knives. Bushcrafters. Survivalists. Preparedness-minded people who need a blade that performs when conditions don’t forgive mistakes.
Every knife is designed by founder Frank Gonzalez, a U.S. military veteran who started forging as a way to process what he carried home from service. What began as therapy at the anvil became a craft, then a business, then a legacy.
What we build.
Function first, always. Our knives are designed for actual field use: chopping, batoning, camp work, survival. They’re forged from 5160 high-carbon spring steel, full tang, built to take punishment for decades. If you want a display piece or an ultralight trend knife, we’re not your brand.
Every blade is coal-forged using traditional methods. No CNC. No assembly line. Steel shaped by hammer, fire, and the knowledge of experienced smiths. We control specifications, materials, and quality standards. If it doesn’t meet real-world performance requirements, it doesn’t ship.
Why Nepal.
The kukri was born in Nepal, proven under combat, hard labor, and sustained field use for generations. Nepalese master smiths have been forging blades for soldiers and working men who couldn’t afford failure. That tradition doesn’t exist anywhere else.
We build our kukris in Nepal because the forging methods there prioritize toughness and resilience over cosmetic perfection. This isn’t outsourcing. It’s going to the source. Frank designs every blade, controls the specs, and rejects anything that doesn’t meet the standard.
A U.S. forge is coming. We’re building a forging shop in Louisiana with a hydraulic hammer, anvil, and full tooling. USA-made KBH blades are on the way alongside our Nepal-forged line.
What you get.
5160 Spring Steel
High-carbon steel known for toughness and edge retention. Used in automotive leaf springs because it doesn’t break under stress.
Full Tang
The steel runs the full length of the handle. No weak points. No handle separation under heavy use.
Lifetime Warranty
We stand behind every blade. If it fails under normal use, we make it right. Period.
15% Veteran Discount
This company was built by a veteran. If you served, you get taken care of. Use code at checkout.
Free USA Shipping
No hidden costs. The price you see is the price you pay, shipped to your door inside the United States.
Hand-Forged
Coal-forged by experienced smiths using traditional methods. Each blade is shaped individually, not stamped from a machine.
Built for people who depend on their gear.