Knife River Customs

Knife River Customs Premium Custom Crafts. Craftsmanship and usability in our work, are both highly important to us.
(1)

05/07/2026

Well, friends, I just wrapped up another blade that makes a man proud to swing a hammer—or in this case, a file and a forge. This chef knife sports a 7¼-inch blade of lively random-pattern Damascus, measuring a solid 12 inches overall. She’s got that perfect balance that feels like an old friend in the hand, ready to tackle everything from delicate herbs to a stubborn butternut squash.
The handle is a hybrid beauty—warm maple burl paired with rich red resin that brings a touch of modern depth to the classic lines. Built it for a good fellow who wanted something truly special for his wife. There’s real satisfaction in sending a tool like this out into the world, knowing it’ll be put to honest work in a kitchen full of love. May it serve them well for many fine meals and quiet mornings together.

Critiques are very welcome.

The Timber skinnerThe Timber Skinner was shaped with that in mind—a practical field knife built with simple lines, good ...
04/29/2026

The Timber skinner

The Timber Skinner was shaped with that in mind—a practical field knife built with simple lines, good steel, and the kind of quiet usefulness that doesn’t ask for attention. The spalted oak burl from northern Minnesota carries the soul of the piece, with wild grain that feels almost like a map written by weather and time. I wanted this one to feel rooted in the Northwoods—rugged, dependable, and made for real work. Just a humble tool, carefully made by hand, with the hope it serves someone well for many years.

Overall - 8.5”
Blade - 3.75”
Handle - spaghetti oak burl
Steel - 80crv2 carbon
Steel finish - stain
Pins - stainless steel

There’s something deeply satisfying about taking a fine piece of black walnut and giving it a second life as something m...
04/07/2026

There’s something deeply satisfying about taking a fine piece of black walnut and giving it a second life as something meant to gather people around it. I just finished this live edge chessboard tonight, and the natural curves of the walnut paired with the clean geometry of the board make it feel like the perfect marriage of wilderness and order. It’s the kind of piece that asks to sit proudly on a table, ready for long games, good conversation, and maybe the occasional glorious defeat.

The best part of working with wood like this is knowing the tree already did half the artistry. My job is simply to listen, shape, and let the grain speak for itself. This one has all the warmth and character I love in black walnut, and it feels like the kind of heirloom piece that only gets better with age. I’ll have it up on my website in the next couple of days for anyone who feels their home could use a little strategy, beauty, and honest craftsmanship

03/31/2026

Well, friends, I just knocked out a hefty batch of wooden spoons from three sturdy North American hardwoods—straight from the shop, each one carved with care and a little sweat equity. These aren’t those flimsy plastic abominations that warp in the sink, melt under a hot pan, and quietly leach their petrochemical nonsense into your supper. No, a proper wooden spoon glides through your cast iron without a scratch, stays cool in your grip, and ages gracefully like a good pair of boots. I’ve been on a quiet crusade to evict every last scrap of plastic from the kitchen—those disposable invaders have overstayed their welcome long enough—and these spoons are the perfect foot soldiers in that fight. Durable, renewable, and honest as the day is long.
There’s a deep nostalgia in a wooden spoon too, the kind that sneaks up on you while you’re stirring a pot of beans or flipping pancakes. It takes me right back to my grandma’s kitchen, where one well-worn spoon had stirred family meals for decades, carrying the faint scent of bacon fat and Sunday gravy. These spoons aren’t just tools; they’re a quiet rebellion against the cheap and the fleeting, a reminder that the best things in life come from the forest, a sharp chisel, and a little patience.

I’m thrilled to finally share something I’ve been working on for over a year—I have a brand-new collection of knives tha...
03/28/2026

I’m thrilled to finally share something I’ve been working on for over a year—I have a brand-new collection of knives that are now live on the website! Each blade is a labor of love, built for those who cherish quality tools.

And as a bonus, I’m inviting you to join my mailing list—when you sign up, you’ll get exclusive discounts (including a special one for these new knives). Head to the site, explore the collection, and join the list—your next favorite blade might be waiting.

https://www.kniferivercustoms.com

Cirques very welcome! * Blade Steel: w-2 High Carbon* Blade Length: 6”* Overall Length: 11.5”* Handle Material: paper b...
03/24/2026

Cirques very welcome!

* Blade Steel: w-2 High Carbon
* Blade Length: 6”
* Overall Length: 11.5”
* Handle Material: paper birch
* Blade finish - satin
* Pins: Stainless Steel
* Bevel Grind: Full Flat

I’ve been immersed in the world of live edge design for about seven years now, ever since I first fell in love with its ...
03/10/2026

I’ve been immersed in the world of live edge design for about seven years now, ever since I first fell in love with its natural beauty. This month, I had the quiet honor of creating a live edge black walnut chessboard for a client who I’m truly grateful for. The board measures 19 by 19 inches, and each square is filled with a silver sparkle epoxy, offering a subtle, luminous contrast to the deep walnut.

I’m truly humbled by this craft and by the trust my clients put in me. Balancing the symmetry of a natural edge with a classic chessboard was a real challenge, but seeing their joy when they saw it was a gift. Thank you to every person who supports this journey—I’m so grateful to share this with you.

03/07/2026

I just finished this 6.5” chef up this week. I’m a fan of the rough and nostalgic look of brute force. This one has a really cool, cherry brawl, and resin cast handle. The handle reminds me of the deep inland sea of Lake Superior, with its rocky outcropping and rough waters. I would love to know your thoughts!

01/31/2026

Overall - 8.5”
Blade - 4.25”
Handle - black line spalted maple
Steel - w-2
steel finish - satin
Pins - stainless steel

Available

01/27/2026

Deep in the woods (or maybe just my workshop). I’ve created a new friend from steel and fire.
This 3.75″ hunting/EDC blade carries a hamon line that’s downright mesmerizing—a wavy, ghostly river of light along the edge, like the steel itself decided to tell a story.

Here’s the quiet magic of it: Before the quench, you coat the blade in a special clay mixture—thicker on the spine, thinner or absent along the cutting edge. Heat it cherry-red in the forge, then plunge it into the water. The exposed edge cools lightning-fast, turning to hard, brittle martensite for that razor bite. The clay-insulated spine cools slower, staying softer and tougher (pearlite), ready to flex instead of snap. That line where the two meet? That’s the hamon—born from fire, clay, and precise timing. It’s not just a pretty pattern; it’s proof the blade balances deadly sharpness with real-world resilience. Ancient swordsmiths figured this out centuries ago, and damn if it doesn’t still feel like alchemy.

Paired with a handle of rich, figured Bloodwood burl—warm, burly, and gripping like it was grown for this very purpose—this knife feels alive in the hand. Ready for the hunt, the trail, or just carving a stick beside the fire like a gentleman who respects his tools.

The world’s full of sharp edges. Few have soul. This one does.

Stay sharp, stay honest.

-2

Address

Saint Paul, MN

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Knife River Customs posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Knife River Customs:

Shortcuts

Share