KWB Knives
Wrought iron San-Mai Knife Making Steel Billet
Wrought iron San-Mai Knife Making Steel Billet
Hand-forged San-Mai knife making steel billet. We can forge to any size, send us an email if you have special requirements.
If you haven't tried our KWB Iron-Guard, we really can't recommend it enough. It's the best protection currently available for carbon steel, lasting up to a year and with easy cleaning non stick properties for less than £1 per coating, there's really no reason not to pick up a bottle with your next order 😉
80crv2 carbon steel core and Wrought iron cladding with nickel. Please select a size from the drop-down box. Wrought iron is a very low carbon iron alloy with slag inclusions which produce a wood grain effect. It is a historic material used before steel was commonly available and hasn't been made in decades. Our stock comes reforged from old ships, chains and iron frame buildings. It can also take on some nice contrast, carbon migration patterns and even some faint oil spill colours when etched.
These billets are intended to be ground to shape, perfect for stock removal makers in pursue of the character you get from hand forged steel, the pattern and the texture that pre laminate steel usually doesn't have. I like to keep the texture on the flats as you can see from the sample pictures but with care to grind symmetrically, it can be polished. They come as forged and slightly oversize, you will need to grind the edge of the billet back to good material.
All our billets are forged in a zero-atmosphere environment to ensure perfect welds. We pride ourselves in well-centred cores, consistent patterning, and excellent quality steel.
Once heat treated, ground and etched, the cutting edge will be black followed by a bright nickel line and then a beautiful carbon migration pattern into the lighter colour highly figured wrought iron. As you can see from the sample pictures, the look can be changed with different polishing and etching processes. Please take a look at the using our billets page for more info and feel free to email if you have any questions.
These billets have been annealed and can be drilled with decent hss drills although we’d recommend carbide-tipped drills.
Each knife is one-of-one and never restocked — a unique handmade piece that won't be repeated.
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Let customers speak for us
from 17 reviewsI purchased a custom knife from Korben. Korben took me through the process step by step from drawing different knife shapes and explaining the pros and cons to what designs I was looking at. This explanation included the steel types and the how the handle grains would catch the light. The knife arrived a few days ago and even the box it came in was a presentation itself. As I picked up the knife, I was quite impressed with the build quality and finish. The hamon line was remarkable and well defined. The edge almost fell through a sheet of paper by its own weight. I have many custom knives and this one is by far my new favorite.
Brilliant billets.
Brilliant customer service.
I've used dozens of them and they have all been superb.
Korben is a gent
Amazing knife maker, very friendly and knowledgeable. I had a custom knife made for me a year or so ago and its been a super reliable and beautiful knife. The experience was fantastic, very flexible and professional throughout the whole process. they also do amazing knife sharpening jigs!
The knives are so much more than anyone could ever ask for. Absolutely beautiful
I was excited to hear about KWB Knives as my husband really appreciates a good knife and I like to support local businesses. Korben was helpful and informative throughout the process of agreeing a design and production even though I was buying at entry level. This is a company very much worth supporting; you’ll have a great experience from first contact and every time you look at, let alone use, the knife for evermore. Thanks!
Sorry for the delay in review! Absolute 1 of a kind craftsman. You can see for yourself in the designs the style is outrageous but quality is just as good. Will take the time needed to make sure it’s right and won’t rush which is what you want when you’re looking at pieces like these. All the best.
A decision to get a custom kitchen knife made just for me came with some risk due to many choices out there. When I starting vetting Korben at KWB Knives it included checking out his work and style, of course. But, for me it was more about responses to my questions and how well he could connect to my vision. Well, he certainly has a knack and ability to listen well and then translate that to a perfectly forged to finish knife JUST for me!
He kept me updated from early design process, forging, grinding/polishing, handle material choices to assembly and finishes! As for performance, it is sharp as a razor, has the "just right" weight and balance and is of an appearance level that has me want to display it! Truly a fantastic experience with Korben at KWB Knives!
I was so glad I reached out to KWB Knives for the custom project I had in mind. From the beginning Korben was enthusiastic & supportive of what I wanted. Communication was excellent & his willingness to accommodate fine detail changes as the process went along was so welcome.
The build quality & aesthetic of the knife is just exceptional & hits all the specs I wanted.
‘What was this knife?’ I hear you say!
It was a screen accurate version of the Crocodile Dundee Bowie Knife 🐊
If you want a custom blade, KWB Knives should be at the top of your list!
Thank you Korben for the labour of love this became & it would be remiss of me not to also mention Korbens occasional colab partner Adam from Nord Knives who I understand spent a lot of time hand-sanding the blade. Your effort is also greatly appreciated!
All best wishes from a very happy customer!
Korben made a nakiri for me and made every aspect of the knife I asked for come to life! The finished product is truly something special👏🏼
I reached out to Korben after discovering him on Instagram and loved all of his amazing photos and knife work! I was looking for a custom knife for my wife and he really did he deliver exactly what we were looking for! He worked with us through every step to make sure we got exactly what we wanted. He is very meticulous and his attention to detail is exceptional. If anybody asked me where to get a custom knife I would recommend KWB Knives hands down best experience ever! Thanks Korben!
Ordered a custom knife a little while back and seriously not dissapointed. The craftsmanship is beautiful and and the knife is extremely sharp. As a proffesional chef of almost 10 years I've seen quite a few knifes and this one is among the best. KWB worked with me every step of the way from the length, the style, the edge, and even got to choose the wood for the handle too! 10 out 10 would recommend to anyone wanted a customized blade!
I absolutely love my knife. Thank you so much. Communication, professionalism, skill & quality all 5 star.
KWB are extremely professional, courteous and talented. The knives are handmade with such skilled craftmanship. Extremely knowledgable and would 100% recommend. Currently waiting on my 3rd knife to be made, would not go anywhere else.
I have a collection of knives both Japanese imports and British bespoke made and I have to say I was blown away from start to finish with the craftsmanship from KWB. My knife from KWB is head an shoulders above the rest. The knives are so unique, nothing like I had seen before. Razor sharp with a unique lightning bolt effect running through the blade, making a stunning and eye catching piece to add to my collection. I was kept updated well throughout the process and felt I could ask questions and make suggestions whenever needed. Korben is a master in his craft and would highly recommend investing a piece from him.
What can I say but, WOW!!
The is is my second knife from KWBKnives and I can honestly say, they are my favourite knives (I have over 800!!) They really are at a point where art meets functionality! They have no issues with being thrown in at the deep end and coming out gleaming. The shell pattern and grain structure are a pleasure just to look at!
The edge strength and sharpness retention is amazing. I haven’t even had to dress them up with a strop after a use yet. They’re still popping the hairs off of my arm.
I cannot sing Korben’s praise enough! From his attention to detail, to his involvement with you in the process and listening to all of your requests. He also has an encyclopaedic knowledge of suggestions and he isn’t afraid to try things. His handles fit so well in the hand, that they make it a pleasure and ease to work with.
I’ve already got a deposit in for #3 and I cannot wait to work with him and see what amazing creation he comes forth with!
Thank you Korben!!
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