Dave and Dale
Warther Making Knives A Family Tradition
Making a Warther Knife
Knife Making:
Ernest "Mooney" Warther began making knives in 1902 because he couldn't find a knife that would stay sharp while carving hard materials like walnut, bone and ivory. He researched what was the best steel to use and he created his own techniques for grinding the steel blade so it would keep its sharp edge. We still use the same specifications and techniques Mooney created. Combining these techniques with space age steel, we are able to create a superior quality knife.
Steel:
We use American made high carbon tool steel that is rust resistant. Our steel has to be hand-rolled on an old-style hand-operated mill. This type of steel allows us to temper it to a high degree of hardness (58 - 60 Rockwell C) without being brittle. Other qualities of the tool steel we use include the ability to stay sharp, keep its polished finish, and remain highly rust resistant.
Grind and polish: We grind and polish each knife to a convex grind, which can only be accomplished by hand - no automated machinery is used. The purpose of the convex grind is its ability to retain a razor-like edge with just a light honing. This method was common in the early 1900's but has been lost by most knife manufacturers today.
"Spotting":
When
Mooney started making knives, he wanted a finish that would not show wear. So he came up with the idea of "spotting" the blade. The more formal term for this process is "Engine Turning". It creates a fine swirl design on the blade by grinding a concentric circle pattern on the surface. The "spotting" is smooth to the touch, makes the knife look newer longer, and gives the knife a distinctive look. This tooling design is created by hand and has become a Warther registered trademark.
Handles: Our handles are made from Vermont birch wood which is treated in a resin to make it more durable than regular wood. Note: The natural birch wood does vary in color. The handles are riveted onto the blade at two points. The blade extends all the way through the handle creating a strong and balanced knife. After riveting, the handles are sanded and buffed to a smooth and lustrous finish.
Made in the USA:
We use all American made materials and we make all our kitchen knives at our shop in Dover, OH. We do not outsource any work overseas! Anyone is welcome to stop in and visit us in Dover for a tour of the knife shop, where you can watch the knife making firsthand.
We grind and polish each knife to a convex grind, which can only be accomplished by hand - no automated machinery is used. The purpose of the convex grind is its ability to retain a razor-like edge with just a light honing. This method was common in the early 1900's but has been lost by most knife manufacturers today.
Our handles are made from Vermont birch wood which is treated in a resin to make it more durable than regular wood. Note: The natural birch wood does vary in color. The handles are riveted onto the blade at two points. The blade extends all the way through the handle creating a strong and balanced knife. After riveting, the handles are sanded and buffed to a smooth and lustrous finish.