Petr Melichárek

INTRO

ORDERS

At the moment, 99% of my knives are made to order after prior agreement. Only occasionally do I create a knife for open sale. That’s why you won’t find a “for sale” section on my website. In most cases, when I do make a knife for open sale, it disappears within a few days after being posted on specialized forums or social media.
The photos you see in the “Knife Catalog” section are of knives I have already made for other customers.

When you take a look, you’ll see that 95% of my knives have a unique design, or they are classic types that differ in size, color scheme, or type of Damascus. I rarely make exact copies of my knives, although in some cases this can be arranged upon agreement.

I don’t make replicas or copies of other makers’ knives. A certain level of inspiration is possible, but I don’t produce plagiarized work. So, if you’d like a knife from me, it has to be made to order. Please note that I only accept commissions for certain types, and the lead time is very long (about a year or even longer). If you’re patient and not in a hurry, we can come up with something together 🙂

For my knives I use almost exclusively carbon Damascus steel of my own making, forged from a combination of steels W.Nr. 1.2842 (O2) and 75Ni8 Uddeholm (15N20). I also sometimes use so-called go-mai or five-layer constructions for my blades, which create a bold “lightning strike” pattern. In the past, I also made partially quenched knives with the so-called hamon or from laminated stainless steel. Today I use these materials only rarely, if at all, and instead focus mainly on more complex non-stainless/carbon Damascus knives — especially the ones with twisted and mosaic patterns.

I should also point out in advance that I don’t make every possible design and I can’t fulfill every request. There are materials and types of knives that don’t suit me and that I don’t work with. In general, I don’t like working under stress, and in most cases I can’t push myself into something that feels wrong to me from the very beginning. That’s why discussing a knife is more of a consultation, where I ask the customer questions to get a clear idea of their wishes.

I usually shape the details myself. The design has to feel right to me so I can work with real energy; then I know I’ll give it my best and put all my skills and experience into the knife. I can honestly say that once I start, I don’t cut corners or leave any work undone — even if it means going beyond the original budget.

If I see that a knife deserves even more care, I simply give it. That’s just my nature, and even though in most cases it means I put more work into the knife than originally agreed for the price, I can’t do it any other way.
It’s important to first arrange the basics via Messenger, email, or by phone. A personal meeting is possible by appointment, usually when picking up the finished knife. The whole process of agreement takes some time; it’s necessary to share photos, sketch designs, and clarify everything in advance.

At the start, the customer describes roughly what kind of knife they want and what budget they have. A similar type of knife can be made in many ways, and the final price depends on execution, the damascus pattern, details, and overall complexity.
My knives start at roughly 15,000 CZK (approx. 650 EUR), and I make damascus knives only. A sheath is always included in the price. From there, prices rise into the tens of thousands CZK depending on the build. Knives over 100,000 CZK (approx.  4,500+  EUR) are not so rare, but those are truly special pieces.

That’s why it’s important to know from the very beginning what price range we’re working with, so I don’t spend time sketching detailed designs outside the budget. At the same time, I’d like to point out that even the “cheapest” knives from my workshop are very distinctive and beautiful in both design and materials. The reason is simple: I had to stop offering the most basic/cheapest knives made from “ordinary” steels due to lack of time and high demand. So when we start directly with damascus knives, the entry level is higher — but even my lowest price range offers unique and striking pieces.
If you’re not sure, feel free to write me without obligation. We can go through the options together, and I’ll advise you on what might suit you best. I’m also happy to help if you’re planning a knife as a gift.

If you use Facebook Messenger, I prefer to communicate there — it’s easy to share gallery links, etc. If not, email is fine. After the initial discussion, I’ll draw a design (or several, as agreed) and we’ll confirm everything. Once we agree in principle on the design and knife type, the waiting period begins. A deposit of 500–1,000 CZK (approx. 20–40 EUR), depending on the knife type, is required. This amount is deducted from the final price if the project is completed.

Before the deposit is paid, I’ll provide an approximate lead-time estimate. If, after the waiting period, the customer is no longer interested or does not respond, the deposit is forfeited; it covers my costs for communication, rescheduling other clients, and preparing design proposals. Once this small waiting deposit is received, I add the customer to the waiting list.

Some time before it’s the customer’s turn, I get back in touch. We go through everything again, fine-tune the details, review sketches and materials, etc. The design can still be adjusted at this stage, and then everything is confirmed. A larger deposit is then paid right before I start — usually 1/4 to 1/3 of the total price, or as agreed. After that, I make the knife within the agreed timeframe. The production itself takes from several weeks up to a few months, depending on the overall complexity of the knife.

I’ll of course provide a more precise timeline at that stage, because we’ll already know exactly which knife is being made. After completion, I’ll send photos of the finished knife; the customer pays the remaining balance, and I ship an insured parcel. Personal pickup is possible by appointment. I don’t ship cash on delivery. 

Payment 

I accept the following payment methods:

  • International bank transfer (IBAN/BIC) – Especially convenient within the EU, usually with minimal or no fees.

  • PayPal – Fast, but relatively expensive. I accept it without any issues if the customer covers all PayPal fees.

  • Wise – A low-fee alternative to PayPal.

Shipping

I ship worldwide where possible. Shipping price depends on the destination country and the total value of the package (for insurance purposes). 

Clients within the EU can generally expect smooth delivery, with prices mostly ranging from €20 to €60, depending on the country and level of insurance. Most other European countries are similar, though there may be exceptions—please ask for a delivery quote to your country.

For US clients: I have shipped to the US in past years without issues. Unfortunately, I cannot provide a fixed price range, as US tax and import policies are changing frequently. It’s also uncertain whether and how much tax might apply. In the past, I paid anywhere between $45 and $150 for shipping, even on larger projects. These details will need to be discussed individually.

Delivery

The knife will arrive in an insured parcel, carefully wrapped in several layers of plastic film and well-oiled. The final layer of wrap is placed between the knife and the sheath.

Handle with care! The knife is sharp enough to shave with, and the oil can make it slippery. Always unwrap it over a table, not over a hard surface—to avoid dropping it and causing damage to the knife or injury to yourself.

After unwrapping, gently wipe the knife with a clean paper towel. If the knife is meant for a collection, be careful with dust, sand, or dirt on your hands or on the towel—it could cause small, noticeable scratches on the blade’s patina. After wiping, apply a thin layer of a suitable protective oil commonly used in your country (do not use WD-40!). After that, the knife can be stored in a closed cabinet, display case, or drawer—outside of the sheath.

Please also read the “Maintenance” section carefully. Storing and using a carbon damascus knife comes with certain specifics, and following these will help you avoid damage that could otherwise occur.

Ideally, take a look at the “Knife guide” section as well — especially if you’re new to using carbon damascus knives or considering buying your first damascus knife. There you’ll find plenty of tips and advice you may want to think over before placing an order.

Warranty

The knife is covered by a statutory two-year warranty. Service, maintenance, and advice are naturally available if needed. The warranty applies only to manufacturing defects. It does not cover normal wear and tear from use or the natural aging of materials (for example, small cracks that can develop in wood). Likewise, the warranty does not cover improper use of the knife or damage caused by improper storage.

Unless stated otherwise, the knife is ALWAYS intended only for slicing and cutting. It is not a pry bar, an axe, or a bone chopper unless it has been made for that purpose! That’s why it’s important to carefully read the “Maintenance” and “Knife Guide” sections. Damage of this kind, caused by misuse or neglect, is not covered by the warranty!

Conclusion and contact

If you have any questions or would like to place an order, feel free to send me a message or call. I’ll gladly go over everything with you, explain the details, and help you choose without any pressure or obligation 🙂 You will find couple ways how to reach me in “Contact” section.