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Riccardo Mainolfi Hand made knives |
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My knives are made solely by hand
The steel that I prefer are the RWL34 or CPM154 (but also ATS 34 or 154 CM), the Bohler N690c forged by Antonini di Maniago, the AISI 440c, AISI420c (MA5M) for workblades. But also Damascus steel of great artistic effect. For particular blades, when advanced resistance capacities are necessary to withstand abrasion, I use CPM S30V or Sleipner (Bohler).
I prefer hand rubbed satin finish the blades longitudinally rather than mirror finish them because my idea is that of a knife that must be used and that it becomes ever more beautiful the more it acquires the signs of time and use.
I personally carry out the heat treatment of the blades - a fundamental and critical phase in the realization of the knife - which I carry out in my laboratory with a furnace with electronically controlled temperature. This allows me to reach an optimal temperature that I can follow personally.
For guards, boolster and pins I tend to use AISI416 and AISI304.
The handle of my knives are made with hard woods, red deer horns, sambaar, fossil ivory and fossil ivory crust. The woods are accurately chosen and I prefer essences like Desert Ironwood (Olneya tesota), Snakewood (Piratinera guianensis), Cocobolo (Dalbergia Retusa), Ziricote (Cordia dodecandra) and other woods. The handle are accurately hand made so as to receive the hand of the user and to make the use of the knife very comfortable during long and laborious operations.
Aside from the knives I have already made which you will be able to see in the main shows and fairs in Italy, I am at your disposal for the making of “your” knife custom. We can decide the type of steel and the type of material to use for the handle, the shape of the blade, the finishing.
All fixed blade knives are complete of sheath, also made by hand with heavy skins from 8 to 10 ounces .
Every knife is accompanied by its certificate of authenticity.
