Want something a little more personal?
We can customize any of our products to suit your needs or aesthetic preference. Share your ideas and we'll get back to you shortly.
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Or if you want something unique we are happy to work on a design with you. Check below for examples of custom work and key information on some different materials.
Aaron + Lotti
Custom Knives
Want a certain steel? There are lots of options, each with its own characteristics. If you have one in mind let us know. If you're unsure, we have highlighted some of our favorites, and the applications they are best suited for.
To begin, a few defining characteristics:
Steels are organized into two main groups—stainless and carbon steel. Specific properties differ based on alloys added to the steels. These properties can be simplified to four dimensions: toughness, edge retention, ease of sharpening and stain resistance. In general a steel with high toughness will be less likely to chip, easier to sharpen and have slightly reduced edge retention.
Stainless steels
AEB-L
AEB-L
Carbon steels
52100
52100
Stain resistance
Edge retention
Ease of sharpening
Toughness
Cpm-154
CPM-154
CPM-m4
CPM-m4
A powder metallurgy steel with added alloys for grain refinement and carbide production. Very impressive edge retention coupled with high toughness. The premier steel choice for edge retention and ease of sharpening. For the more experienced owners and those conscious of the care required for carbon steel.
A great all around stainless steel, it excels for almost every application. AEB-L has a very fine microstructure that produces a very keen edge with limited effort. Known for its toughness, this steel really shines in very thin blades, offering superb edge stability. Can also perform well on the opposite ends of the spectrum with proper geometry and heat treatment.
A powder metallurgy steel with a fine grain structure and greater carbide content than AEB-L. Requires more effort sharpening and will be more prone to chipping than AEB-L. The process, however, produces a high performance stainless steel with improved toughness and high edge retention. Perfect for applications that require a very keen edge for extended use between sharpenings.
A high carbon tool steel, 52100 offers a great balance between edge retention and aversion to chipping. It provides a great platform for a variety of uses. This steel requires more care because it is not stain resistant, but is a breeze to sharpen and offers great edge stability.
Keep in mind this is simplified for clarity.
For more information on steels, steel components or properties, check out Knife Steel Nerds.
