Standard Models
If you don't see something on my Available Now page that fits your needs, my standard models can be made-to-order to fit your preferences. The options you can select for each model are:
  • Blade steel
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    Blade steels have different characteristics, depending on the materials and processes that were used to create them. Additionally, the heat treatment of a knife blade affects the wear resistance and toughness. All Stice Handmade knives are hardened and tempered to optimize wear resistance and toughness for that particular knife and its function. The characteristics used to evaluate how appropriate a steel is for a particular purpose are listed below.
    • Stain resistance is the steel's ability to resist corrosion.
    • Wear resistance determines how well your knife will retain its edge.
    • Toughness is the measure of how much shock your knife can take without the edge chipping or the knife breaking.
    • The appearance of the steel depends on the metals that were used to create it and the methods used to finish it. Some steels cannot take a mirror polish now matter what methods are used due to their material makeup.
    No one blade steel excels in all of these areas, so you'll need to consider the relative merits of each depending on how you'll use the knife.
    The steels that I use most often are listed below. They are all made in America by Crucible Metals. I occasionally use other steels (including damascus) when a client has a special request or a project warrants it.
    • CPM 154CM is a stainless particle steel. Particle steels are created by mixing fine particles of the component metals together. The resulting steel has a very fine grain structure and is a more homogenous alloy than conventionally manufactured steels. CPM 154CM is very tough, has great wear resistance, and can be brought to a very clean mirror polish.
    • CPM 3V is incredibly tough and wear resistant, making it a popular choice for tactical knives. Like CPM 154CM, it is a particle steel. However, it is a semi-stainless, so it is more susceptible to corrosion than CPM 154CM. To maximize stain resistance, I treat CPM 3V blades with an acid solution that removes surface contaminants and creates a protective surface layer. It is nearly impossible to bring this steel to a mirror polish, so I recommend a stonewashed or brushed satin finish for CPM 3V blades.
  • Blade finish
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    Mirror Polish
    This is the traditional finish for fine handmade knives, created by polishing the knife with progressively finer abrasives. In addition to being an attractive finish, a mirror polish also is very rust resistant. The downside of a mirror polish is that it readily shows fingerprints and scratches. Because of the extra time required to create a mirror polish, there is an additional charge for this finish.
    Note: The composition of some steels makes it impossible to bring them to a mirror polish. See the Steels page for more information.
    Shot-peened Finish
    To create this satin finish, the knife is first brought to a mirror polish, then pelted with millions of tiny stainless steel balls. Shot-peening not only produces a pleasing finish, it makes the knife more resistant to fracture and hides fingerprints. As with the mirror polish, there is an additional charge for this finish.
    Stonedwashed and Brushed Satin Finishes
    These finishes are good choices for knives that will see regular or hard use. Fingerprints and scratches do not show up on these finishes to the degree that they do for the mirror polish or shot-peened finish. Also, knives made with these finishes do not require special care to maintain a "like-new" look. The primary difference between the two finishes is that the brushed satin has a brighter tone than the stonewashed. The stonewashed finish is a favorite for tactical knives, because the surface is non-reflective.
    Mirror Finish Shotpeened Finish Stonewashed Finish Bushed Satin Finish
  • Handle material
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    I use both synthetic and stabilized natural handle materials. Keep in mind how you will use your knife when selecting a handle material. Natural materials look nice, but are not as durable as synthetic materials. Even stabilized natural materials may shrink, warp, or stain over time.
    My preferred handle materials are listed below, but I can work with you if you are interested in a particular handle material.
    Synthetics
    Synthetic handle materials are available in a wide range of colors.
    • G10 is a laminated fiberglass product that is very dense and extremely durable. Because of its durability, G10 is often used on tactical knives.
    • Micarta is another laminated product that uses a cloth substructure. Micarta is less dense than G10, so it is a good choice if you prefer a lighter knife, but don't want to sacrifice durability.
    Naturally Stable Woods
    Most woods in their natural state are porous and will shrink and expand with changes in temperature and humidity. Woods that are described as "naturally stable" are very dense and contain a lot of natural oils, which makes them resistant to environmental changes.
    • Desert Ironwood is one of the densest and most stable woods available. The grain and color tones can vary widely. The price also varies, depending on the amount of contrast and figure in the wood.
    • Cocobolo is known for its orange and brown mottling that darkens over time. Its durability and attractiveness make it a popular choice for gun handles and musical instruments as well as for knife handles.
    Stabilized Woods
    Woods that aren't naturally stable can be stabilized by impregnating them with resins and placing them under heat and pressure. The resins fill the pores of the wood, resulting in a material that behaves like a synthetic but retains the natural warmth and beauty of wood.
    • Amboyna burl is a highly figured wood with coloring that ranges from gold to a dark reddish brown.
    • Buckeye burl has a very striking grain that can range from a golden yellow to a dark brown that is almost black.
  • Sheath material
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    A sheath serves many functions and is nearly as important as the knife it carries.
    First, the sheath must hold the knife securely, while still allowing the knife to be drawn in an uncomplicated way. The sheath for each Stice handmade knife is designed and formed for THAT knife to ensure a proper fit.
    Second, the sheath must protect the knife. The sheath provided with your fixed-blade knife is made from either a high-quality tooling leather or Kydex.
    Third, a sheath should be attractive, since it is the first thing people see when you carry your knife. I am continually refining my sheath designs and construction methods to make each sheath as attractive as the knife inside.
    Lastly, you must be able to carry the sheath. My Kydex sheaths are reversible. You can move the clip to the position and side that suits your needs - left, right, horizontal, or pocket carry, the choice is yours!
    Keep in mind the following when deciding on a sheath material.
    • Leather is the traditional sheath material. It is durable and beautiful, but changes in moisture can cause it to shrink or crack. I occasionally make my own leather sheaths, but usually have them custom made for each knife by Bob Ferguson at Rawhide Custom Leather.

      Caution: Never store your knife in a leather sheath for a long period of time. Natural oils in the leather can cause the steel to rust.

    • Kydex is a man-made material that is resistant to moisture. To make a sheath, the Kydex is heated, and then formfit around the knife. Because Kydex is so durable, it is a popular sheath material for tactical knives or any knife that sees regular use.
    Leather Sheath Kydex Sheath
Any changes to a standard model beyond these options (for example, changes to blade length or shape) would be considered a custom order. Contact me for more information about custom orders.
doug@sticecraft.com - (316) 295-6855