With all the hype of TV knife making its often difficult to convince people that making a good knife is not a complicated process. Subtract the frilly dramatic sparks and it very simple. Unlike many companies, we are not afraid to disclose our entire process. We feel there is no reason to hide the 'special secrets' of making our knives. Every step of a Very Good knife is done in house to ensure quality control. See videos below.

 

>We begin the process by cutting a blank from top quality high carbon steel using the stock removal method. The blanks are drilled, patterned and hand ground into blades. We use a simple yet precise KMG grinder.

 

>After rough grinding the blades are coated with an anti-scale compound to prevent surface defects during heat treat. The blades will go into an Evenheat kiln where they will 'soak' at final temperature of 1520 Fahrenheit for seven minutes. After soaking the blades will be canola oil quenched left to cool on a rack.

 

>Blades are then temper cycled for two hours at 400 Fahrenheit, cooled to room temperature, then the cycle is repeated to achieve the desired hardness. Hardness varies dependent on steel, for example our 80crv2 blades are best suited with a Rockwell hardness of 60-61.

 

>After the blades are hardened its time for a final grinding. This step will clean up any imperfections left by the rough grinding and heat cycling process. This is also when we electrochemically etch our blades with the Very Good Knife Company logo.

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>Once the blade is finished and etched its time for handles. Handle material may vary, however our most common handle is made from top quality phenolic resin type C. More commonly known as canvas Micarta. Handles are attached with a simple Corby screw fit with loc-tite and a dab of glue to ensure it doesn't move.

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> After handle installation and shaping the blades are ready to be sharpened. A convex edge is rough cut using a low speed 220 grit, then finished off with a low speed 400 grit followed by a polish compound strop on the buffing wheel. The edges are stropped to a working sharpness and razor sharp is unnecessary.

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Don't be fooled by all the companies telling you that making a good knife requires more steps than this. Anything more is just playing with it! Most people do not have a deep understanding of knife making and that is OK. There's a lot to learn in this world, we can't be expected to know everything. It's unfair that many companies will take advantage of a customers lack of understanding in order to make a sale. That is why we do not mind fully disclosing our entire process.

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