Steel

50HF (51CrV4)

A spring steel. Used mostly for heavy-duty, thick "beater" knives. Hardens up to around 57-58 HRC and takes a fairly decent edge when treated properly. Should withstain heavy abuse in the outdoors as well as be realiable when a keen cutting edge is needed. Relatively easy and pleasant to sharpen, but due to lower carbon content will need resharpening more often than other, more carbon rich steels. Composition: C ~0.5%, Mn ~0.5-0.8%, Cr ~0.8-1.1%, Ni ~0.4%, V ~0.1-0.2%.

NCV1 (80CrV2)

A saw steel. Used for most of kitchen, hunting and bushcraft knives. But if heat treated well, with proper blade geometry it still can be used for heavy duty work. Hardens up to 60 HRC when quenched in oil. Takes great edge that is still relatively easy to sharpen. Will face every task posed in kitchen as well as the outdoor challenges. Takes a nice patina after some time of use. A fantastic all-round steel. Composition: C ~0.8%, Mn ~0.3-0.6%, Si ~0.15-0.4%, Cr ~0.4-0.7%, Ni ~0.35%, V ~0.15-0.3%, W ~0.2%.

15n20 (75Ni8)

Also a saw steel. Most of the time knifemakers and bladesmiths use it as a contrast steel for their damascus due to large nickel content which makes it acid-resistant. In industry it is used for wood bandsaws and also saw blades. At PK Bladesmith it is used mostly for kitchen blades. Due to its composition it is still a great still for blades and will hold a fantastic edge. Hardens up to 60 HRC when quenched in oil. Composition: C ~0.75%, Mn ~0.4%, Si ~0.3%, Cr ~0.11%, Ni ~2%.

Shirogami #2 (White Paper Steel)

A japanese steel. One of the purest carbon steels available meaning it is very low in impurities. Used for the highest quality knives, both kitchen and hunting ones. Very easy to sharpen and holds a fantastic edge. Perfect for all cutting tasks that require peak performance edge. Hardens up to 61 HRC when quenched in oil and even more in water quench. Due to low addition of other alloys the cutting edge can be polished to a very high degree and also can take a very narrow angle. Because of the simple compositon, this steel rusts. Composition: C ~1.1%, Mn ~0.2-0.3%, Si ~0.1-0.2%.

Wood

Many wood species are used for knife handles and sayas (wooden scabbards). But we mostly use Palisander, Wenge, American Walnut and Teak. They deliver a beautiful look, are very resistant to moisture and can be polished to a high degree. We prefer to use natural materials to synthetic for the handles as they age better, leave lower carbon footprint and correspond to our philosophy. The handles need to be treated with oil every now and then to last as long as possible while retaining their beauty and functionality.

Leather

For the leatherworks, the finest full grain, vegetable tanned cow leather is used. Dyed with high quality oil dyes and treated with oils and beeswax, the goods will last a lifetime of use and abuse. Handstitched to ensure that the stitches are strong and neat. The leather, as well as the wood, needs to be ocasionally treated with leather balm or other leather care oil to keep it healthy.

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