Resources
KNIFE CARE
Use it well. Care for it simply.
Reality of natural materials
Carbon steels can rust if left damp. Wood can shrink or swell with humidity and darken or fade in sunlight. Leather is tough but doesn’t like being wet and forgotten. These are trade-offs of classic materials. I believe they’re worth it
Simple routine
Carbon steels can rust if left damp. Wood can shrink or swell with humidity and darken or fade in sunlight. Leather is tough but doesn’t like being wet and forgotten. These are trade-offs of classic materials. I believe they’re worth it.
- After use: hand-wash when needed, wipe dry.
- Carbon steel: thin coat of mineral or camellia oil.
- Leather sheath: keep reasonably dry; a touch of conditioner helps patina and moisture resistance.
- Wood handles: keep out of sustained direct sun; oil or wax now and then.
- Cutting Boards: end-grain wood or quality plastic; no glass, stone, or bamboo.
- Dishwasher: no—heat, detergent, and rattle are rough on edges and handles.
- Sharpening: In my own experience and practice, I use synthetic waterstones. They are incredibly reliable, (they are just stones after all), they yield an edge that is wicked sharp and durable. At the end of the day, use what you are comfortable with, there are a lot of sharpening systems to choose from.
FAQS
Straight Answers.
Why “Iron Witness”?
I liked the sound—and the idea behind it. Forging and knife making requires constant vigilance. Mistakes happen really fast and can be impossible to fix. Iron Witness is about focus and patience, not just hitting harder.
What materials do you use most?
Carbon-steel blades, wood handles, and hand-stitched, full-grain vegetable-tanned leather sheaths.
Do you use stainless steel?
Sure. Stainless steel absolutely has its place and certain obvious advantages, especially for kitchen cutlery. Apart from resisting rust, they can be highly durable. Stainless steels are expensive, harder to abrade, forge, and heat treat. I do not forge stainless steel. It can be forged but it is quite red hard and finnicky. As standard practice I do full stock removal for stainless steel knives. I do not carry much stainless steel in inventory. If I am able, I will use stainless steel if the client requests it. But in general, I choose carbon.
Synthetic handle materials?
No objection—just not my usual preference for most knives, so I rarely use them. Synthetic materials can have advantages in extremely adverse conditions. But the woods I use are among the toughest in the world.
Which steels do you work with?
Recycled high-carbon when I can—old files/rasps, saw blades, drill bits, leaf springs. I also buy flat stock. Common steels: 1075, 1095, 5160, W2, 440C, 154CM.
Why exotic hardwoods for handles?
They’re denser, harder, and resist scratches and dings better than most domestics. Plus, they come in an incredible spectrum of colors, grains, and figures. I finish with Danish oil—food-safe, non-evaporative, moisture-resistant.
What leather do you use?
Premium, heavy weight veg-tan, (usually 8-12 oz) sourced as recycled “scrap” offcuts—great sizes for sheaths without waste. I hand-stitch every sheath, saddle-stitch style, and set rivets by hand with a hammer. Edges are finished by hand with antler, burnishing gum and a linen cloth.
How should I care for the knife?
Dry it after use, oil carbon steel lightly if needed to resist rust (food safe oil for kitchen knives). Oiling is especially recommended if storing long term or in damp/humid conditions. Keep the sheath reasonably dry and occasionally condition (Tokonole burnish gum recommended) as needed. Avoid storing or displaying wood handles in direct sun. UV light naturally darkens most woods. Danish or Tung oil can be used on the handles.
What can your knives be used for?
Hunting and fishing, shop work, kitchen prep, general utility. I’ve made everything from serrated bread knives to Viking axes. Give me a use and I’ll show you the knife.
Do you have standard designs?
I do—named after local mountains: Licklog, Doubletop, Waterrock—plus one-of-a-kind builds.
SHIPPING & RETURNS
From my bench to your hands.
Processing
In-stock items ship within 3-5 business days. Commissions ship after final payment.
Restrictions
Some regions restrict blades; I’ll confirm before payment.
Returns
Returns of unused or like-new condition knives are accepted within the first two weeks if the knife failed to meet expectations, no questions asked. Beyond that time frame, if you are dissatisfied with your purchase in any way, please tell us why. Our goal is to build a relationship and make happy, avid customers.
Shipping
Tracked and insured. Carriers and rates vary depending on the size and shape. Shipping cost will be added to purchase price.
Guarantee
Iron Witness is a small company and our knives are built by hand from scratch. We guarantee our craftsmanship 100%, and will fix any defects or failures that result from the normal use of our products. Send an email and tell us what happened, we will work to make it right for you as quickly as possible.
Terms of Sale & Legal Disclaimer
Age Requirements and Verification
By placing an order on this website, you (the “Buyer”) affirm that you are at least 18 years of age and are under no legal disability that would prohibit you from purchasing or possessing a knife. It is our policy to sell edged tools only to adults who can legally enter into a binding contract. We reserve the right to request a copy of a government-issued ID or use third-party age verification services to confirm a purchaser’s age before shipping any order.
Compliance with Local, State, and Federal Laws
The Buyer assumes full responsibility for complying with all local, state, and federal laws regarding the possession and use of any item purchased from Iron Witness. Because knife laws change frequently and vary by city and county, Iron Witness cannot and does not provide legal advice regarding the legality of any specific knife in your jurisdiction. It is the Buyer’s sole responsibility to research and follow the laws in their specific location regarding blade lengths, opening mechanisms (such as automatic or assisted-opening), and carry restrictions. By purchasing, the Buyer certifies that the product is legal to possess in their area and that they will use the tool in a lawful manner.
Interstate Commerce and Shipping Restrictions
We ship our custom knives in accordance with the Federal Switchblade Act (15 U.S.C. §§ 1241-1244) and other applicable postal regulations. We do not ship automatic knives across state lines except to authorized individuals as defined by federal law. If an item is restricted in your state (e.g., certain restrictions in New York, California, or Massachusetts), we reserve the right to cancel the order and issue a full refund.
Assumption of Risk and Release of Liability
Knives are inherently dangerous tools. By purchasing a knife from Iron Witness, the Buyer acknowledges that the item is a professional-grade tool with an extremely sharp edge. The Buyer assumes all risk of loss, damage, or injury to persons or property that may arise from the use, misuse, or possession of the tool.
Iron Witness, its owners, and its employees shall not be liable for any incidental or consequential damages, including but not limited to personal injury, resulting from the handling or use of our products. The use of our knives for any purpose other than their intended design is strictly at the Buyer’s own risk.