Cunningham Knives - Custom Handmade Knives in Sylva North Carolina

Handmade in Western N.C.

My name is Gary Cunningham and I am a self-taught knife maker. I started making knives around 1985. At that time I worked full-time as a machine operator in a factory. I worked there for 28 years, mainly operating lathes and metal forming machines. I made knives part-time for enjoyment and to supplement my income.

In 2016 the factory closed, leaving me with career decisions to make. I decided to put my knives first and began working on knives full-time. My knives are completely handmade. I use no pre-cut blades or factory-made parts. I design my own blades, using primarily 154cm. I also use 440c, which has a higher carbon content,W2, as well as 01 and D2 carbon steel, and hand forged Damascus. I perform heat treating of my blades in a digital controlled furnace. I take great pride in designing my blades, utilizing a background of working with various metals in manufacturing, as well as knowing what a "good" blade feels like while working as a meat cutter. I feel these career choices contributed to my ability to create useful, as well as beautiful knives.

I gladly work with my customers to design and create a knife that meets their exact needs. Details are important to me from the way the knife feels in your hand to the way it cuts.

I am happy to work with you to create the knife of your dreams. Perhaps you like the design of a knife in my store but want a different steel, perhaps Damascus. That change would result in an increase in price of $50.00. A different handle for instance bone, would be $20.00 extra, stag $50.00, ram's horn $40.00, rare woods such as snakewood or koa $40.00 extra. I am happy to work to create the knife you desire. Other variations in pricing may be due to the complicity of the blade design and other materials involved in the knife.

Handle materials vary from micarta to stag, exotic wood, bone, and woven fiberglass materials. I also cut, dye, mold, and hand sew my leather sheaths from 8-9 oz cowhide.

Thank you for visiting my website. I strive to make a quality knife and as you can see, when I say my knives are handmade, they truly are.

All knives listed in my store are available for immediate shipping.