Our Process: From Steel to Masterpiece
At Umber Bladeworks, each blade we craft is the result of a refined process combining skill, precision, and artistry. Every knife is individually handmade, and we pride ourselves on bringing our passion for bladesmithing into each step. Here’s a look at the journey your blade takes, from raw material to your hands.
Step 1: Sketching & 2D Design
The process begins with a preliminary vision. Keeping functionality and form in mind, a 2D design is created that provides the framework for the knife’s shape and purpose. This ensures that the final product not only looks striking but feels balanced and precise in the hand.
Step 2: Choosing the Metal(s)
Selecting the right metal is a crucial part of creating a high-quality blade. Whether we’re hand-forging the steel or utilizing the stock removal method, we carefully choose materials based on the intended function and aesthetic. The metal’s properties, including toughness, edge retention, and corrosion resistance, all play a role in ensuring your knife performs as it should.
Step 3: Transforming the Metal
Once the metal is chosen, it’s time for transformation. Using a combination of techniques, including grinding, beveling, and hand filing, we refine the shape of the blade. We also carefully clean up the edges to ensure precision at every turn. Sandpaper is used to bring smoothness and polish, getting the blade into its desired form.
Step 4: Heat-Treating the Metal
Heat treatment is where the steel is hardened to perfection. The method we use varies based on the type of steel, whether it’s air-cooled, water quenched, or sometimes a coffee or oil bath. This critical step gives the blade its final hardness and edge resilience, ensuring it performs when put to work.
Step 5: Etching (Occasionally)
Depending on the blade purpose or inherent vision, it may be etched in acid. This pulls out a darker finish that gives the blade an even sharper, distinguished look.
Step 6: Blade Cleanup & Final Details
After heat treating and/or etching, it’s time for a fine polish. The blade is meticulously cleaned and polished, bringing the sharpness to a razor’s edge. Depending on the design, we may also add inlays, embellishments, or special touches to enhance the look and functionality of the blade.
Step 7: Crafting the Handle
The handle is just as important as the blade itself. We use an array of materials to craft handles, including metals, polymers, fine wood, bone, silk, and exotic skins. Every handle is carefully shaped, ensuring both comfort and strength, while also complementing the overall aesthetic of the blade.
Step 8: Adding Liners, Mosaic Pins, and Finishing Details
As the blade and handle come together, we add any applicable final touches. This can include liners, intricate mosaic pins, and other hand-picked details that elevate the knife into a true work of art.
Step 9: Crafting the Sheath
A great knife deserves a great sheath. We craft each sheath with the same care and attention to detail as the blade itself. Whether it’s wood, kydex, or leather, we ensure that your sheath complements the knife while providing the protection and functionality it needs.
Step 10: Quality Check
Before we hand off your blade, it undergoes a rigorous quality check. We inspect everything—from the edge to the handle—to ensure every piece meets our high standards. Only once it’s been thoroughly tested and approved do we send it to you.
Every knife we create is a labor of love, carefully constructed to offer exceptional performance, stunning beauty, and long-lasting durability. Contact us today to get a quote for your knife. →
