A History of Knife Making in the USA

From the first sharpened stone held by a prehistoric human to the latest steel folding knife clipped to a modern pocket, the need for a reliable, sharp tool has always been there. A knife is more than just an instrument; it is a profound link to our past, an essential item for survival, and an everyday tool.

Here, we delve deeper into the history of knives, the history of knife making and how they have always been an essential tool for mankind.

History of Knives

We can date the first knife-like tools back to prehistoric times, around 2-3 million years ago. They were typically used for basic survival and hunting and were likely the most important tool they had, or perhaps in some cases, the only tool. They were made using a single stone that was sharpened using a larger rock to create a sharp cutting edge - a little different to how we make knives today, but the same theory.

Throughout the Stone Age, knives were made using stones and nothing else, but as new materials were discovered, knives slowly became more similar to the tools we know today. Humans began to utilise materials such as bronze and copper, which created a more durable blade but weren’t as sharp as the original stone edge they had been used to. This is where the art of knife sharpening began. They’d discovered the use of metal, but now it was time to refine it.

One of the biggest shifts in the history of knife making came during the Iron Age, when early Americans began mining rocks, which led to the invention of iron - the strongest material discovered to date. Now, we had a durable and sharp blade to work with for the first time.

These early knives were essential survival tools for native Americans, and when European settlers began to arrive in the 1600s, the evolution of the knife took a huge turn thanks to the introduction of steel from Europe. Knives then slowly began to evolve into what we see today.

Modern Knife Making

Today, while the ancient art of forging still exists, the majority of modern blades are created using the stock removal method, where a blade is cut and ground from a pre-made bar of steel. This is in stark contrast to the early focus on simply creating a sharp edge for survival. Moving from basic iron and steel to high-carbon, stainless steels has allowed us to create superior edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance. This evolution has shifted the focus from a purely essential survival tool to highly specialised instruments.

The History of Knife Making with Jantz

Here at Jantz, our history and passion for knife making began in 1966 when Ken and Venice Jantz founded Jantz Gun Service. Initially focused on Ken's work as a well-known gun and metalsmith, the business quickly evolved as Ken's interest shifted to the unique craftsmanship of knife making. 

Over more than 50 years, our family-run company, based in Davis, Oklahoma, has grown to become one of the largest suppliers ofknife-making materials in the world, expanding its offerings through acquisitions like Koval Knives and Indian Ridge Traders in 2005. 

Today, we are proud to say that Jantz Supply maintains its reputation for excellence by supplying high-quality components, from rare steels to handle materials, to both beginner and artisan knifemakers.