Medford Knife & Tool - Our Process

Medford Knife & Tool - Our Process

Medford Knife & Tool · Phoenix, Arizona

The Medford Knife
& Tool Process

Your knife passes through the hands of over a dozen craftsmen on its way to you.

Tap to unmute

Every knife starts as a "blank" cut out of raw material.

Water jet cutting

A craftsman will grind, chamfer, and sharpen it by hand with a series of belts.

Hand grinding

Machinists will create handles and parts to insanely tight tolerances.

Machinist inspecting knife handle

A craftsman will heat treat to spec and straighten every blade in small, controlled batches.

Heat treatment

A craftsman customizes parts to create various looks and finishes.

Finishing

Every set of parts is hand-lapped, finished and fitted by a knifemaker.

Final assembly

Go Deeper

Explore & Learn
By Department

Machine Shop

Machine Shop

"Come see where the machine work happens. We've got five vertical mills running at any given time — each one cutting a different knife. The way we set up to machine isn't traditional. It's closer to how a prototype shop runs. That's on purpose. Come see what that looks like."

Explore Machine Shop
Grind Room

Grind Room

"Grinding is where the knife gets its edge — and it's all freehand. No jigs, no fixtures. Just a craftsman at a wheel, learning to read the steel. It takes months before I let someone grind a production blade. I want you to see what that looks like."

Explore Grinding
Assembly Room

Assembly Room

"Assembly is where every shortcoming in the building shows up — and gets resolved. The guys in that room deal with everything to make it right. I consider them some of the most skilled people we have. Every knife that reaches you passed through their hands. Come see what they do."

Explore Assembly