FAQ: Where Are Dalstrong Knives Manufactured?
Gladiator Series 8-Piece Knife Block Set
We get it. In a world full of old-school knife titans, we’re the fresh contender, the new kids on the block. Our knife designs are bold, innovative, and exciting. But besides looking fierce, those new to our brand may be asking themselves: Where are these knives from? How are they manufactured? What are they made from? And how do they hold up?
Well, we are here to answer a few of those questions.
1. Where Is Dalstrong From?
Dalstrong began with our CEO, David Dallaire, who is the mastermind behind all of our designs. Based in Toronto, Canada, Dave takes his inspiration for our knives from pretty much anywhere you can imagine — landscapes, infrastructure, history, movies, art, and more. Every proprietary design seeks to push the boundaries of innovation, leveraging the collaboration of our global team to get a just-right knife into your hands.
Located both in Canada and the US, we have warehouses in the US, Canada, the UK, and (coming soon) The Netherlands.
Dalstrong Founder & CEO, David Dallaire
With team members based all around the world, we’re proud to offer exciting career opportunities in a global economy where hardworking talent is often under-compensated. Our diverse roster pulls from an incredibly rich cross-section of life and professional experiences to perfect every iteration and make every Dalstrong purchase meaningful.
Meet some of the Dalstrong team here!
2. Where Are Dalstrong Knives Manufactured?
Every single one of our knives is painstakingly assembled by expert bladesmiths in a state-of-the-art facility within a region that has a renowned knife crafting tradition dating back over 1400 years. In 557 AD, during the Sui dynasty, noblewoman and tribe leader Lady Xia first stationed troops in the region and instructed them to begin crafting weapons.
After producing famous blades such as the “Emei Xuanjin Broadsword" (also known as the “Big Killing Sword”), the knife-making traditions were shared with the local civilians, who took this knowledge and applied it to the manufacturing of culinary knives.
At the beginning of the Qing Dynasty, the practice was formalized with the construction of the first large-scale knife-making workshop in Yangjiang’s downtown. The knives made during this period soon gained a worldwide reputation for being sharp, well-designed, and durable, winning awards in national knife competitions and garnering recognition in the World Expo.
Since then, the Yangjiang Knife became famous at home and abroad, booming with China’s reformation and subsequent opening to global markets. Today, Yangjian holds the title of National Capital of Knives and Scissors, exporting to more than 100 countries and accounting for 60% of all knife product exports in China.
|
Dalstrong |
|
|
Founded |
2014 |
|
Blade material |
Japanese steel, American steel, German steel, Sino Steel, Scandinavian Steel |
|
Handle material |
G10, Carbon Fibre, Stabilized wood, pakkawood, resin |
|
Design |
Varies by series; most feature triple-riveted handles with a bolster and full tang |
|
Blade hardness |
55 - 62 Rockwell Hardness |
|
Knife collections |
11 and counting |
|
Warranty |
Limited lifetime warranty+ 70-day money-back guarantee |
3. Are Dalstrong Knives Good?
Our global team fully stands behind our customers and products — so much so that we offer a 100% satisfaction or 70 days money-back guarantee, as well as a limited lifetime warranty against defects.
We won’t waste your time telling you why our knives are worth the investment. Over 450,000 cooks around the world trust and love, 'The Dalstrong Difference.’
Here are just a few Dalstrong knife reviews from some of our most celebrated partners:
"Dalstrong holds the same values I do. That every chef deserves high-quality, beautiful knives. When I work with companies outside of my businesses, they have to care as much as I do.
I’m grateful to have Dalstrong helping me to support my community. One of our restaurants cooks for the homeless five days a week. Dalstrong’s donation has really helped us feed those who need it most.”
— Three Michelin Star Chef Dominique Crenn
“What attracted me to Dalstrong first was how it looked. It looked badass. My first experience with Dalstrong was the Phantom series, and I was in love with it because of the style and quality. If you look at my very early videos, the only one I used was that filet knife. I don’t remember how it happened, but we started collaborating, and I tried a bunch of their knives, each one better than the last.
Ever since then, you guys come up with crazy, innovative knives. Which one is my favorite today? The Shogun series is the best. The way it looks, the way it performs. When you walk into my studio, you see all of my knives. It inspires me.”
— Culinary Maverick Guga of Guga Foods
Reviews From Customers
But our knives aren’t just for professional chefs and culinary inventors. Here are just a few of the thousands of Dalstrong knife reviews left by our customers:
Phantom Series The Banshee 9" Cleaver
“I was never given a product for review; I’m just a fan of impressive cutlery and I absolutely love this cleaver. The stand it comes with is rustic, yet refined and beautiful. And the sheath it comes with is high quality with padding on the inside to protect from scratches and absorb shock in travel. Now that I have this, I could never go back to an ordinary cleaver...Well done, Dalstrong 👍🏼”
Shogun Series X 8.5" Chef Knife
“From my limited vantage point, it is difficult to imagine quality and craftsmanship any better than the Shogun series, at any price. I could pay more for more exotic materials (especially handles), for a particular brand name, or for a country of origin, but I don't think I would get more knife for my money.”
4. Our Partners
Before we partner with any global organization, we seriously consider their stance on worker’s rights, their conditions, and eco-sustainability. It’s important to us that our partners align with our values.
Our main manufacturing partners are certified ISO humans rights compliant, with 4 weeks of paid vacation for their employees per year and fair wages.
At our manufacturing plants, the artisans and lead foremen are on a personal mission to prove to the world that Chinese knife quality is world-class. As such, our factory proudly stands head and shoulders above all others in YangJiang.
5. Meet Our Craftsmen
Training for years in Japan under a master bladesmith, our factory head foreman brought back his knowledge to share with and supervise our team of expert knifemakers. With decades of experience under their belt, we asked them to share a few things they’ve learned over that time:
Li Keti | Water Grinding Master | 10 years of experience
“To make a good knife, both the steel and the skills of the workers are very important. I personally think that it takes at least 5 years to become a skilled grinder.”
Song Hongqiang | Welding Master | 21 years of experience
“I am very interested in knife welding technology. I love to think about the process. I used to work in other factories, but the knife material was relatively basic, and basically the same day after day. Here the materials are really diverse.
The more materials I work with, the more I learn. With the development of the industry, many materials, design styles, and technology of tools have changed over time.
As craftsmen and women, we have to keep up with the times. We must understand the properties of the materials, discuss them with the team, and finally determine the welding method through test after test."
Lu Dahui | Grinding Master | 18 years of experience
Master Lu has recruited more than 30 relatives and fellow villagers to join him in the industry.
"My main skill is grinding. Both technological know-how and experience are slowly accumulated over time. No matter what problems we encounter, we rely on our experience to evaluate and solve them."
Shen Jianli | Repair Master | 20 years of experience
“I’m a person who never gives up — the more difficult a project becomes, the more I will delve into it. I have been exploring, studying, and gradually mastering the essentials process for 20 years.
I always want our brand to be the ‘National Brand.’ Our company’s quality control is indeed stricter than other factories. The same knife in the other factory can easily pass the quality inspection with the same effect but at this factory it wouldn’t, and that stumped me at first. Fortunately, I persisted and I ended up learning a lot here."
6. The Process: How Are Dalstrong Knives Made?
These traditionally trained craftsmen spend anywhere from 30-60 days on each knife, painstakingly hand-polishing and hand-finishing the blades and handles under strict guidelines using the 3-step Honbazuke honing method.
The Honbazuke sharpening method consists of three stages:
- The blade is coarsely ground using a vertically rotating sharpening stone
- The blade is then finely honed, using a horizontally rotating sharpening stone
- The edge is polished using a leather stropping block
This traditional Japanese process is married with high-tech processes such as Cryo-tempering which improves the steel’s crystalline structure (making them stronger). This merging of modern technology and time-proven methods allows us to achieve exceptional quality while keeping the costs of our knives lower for our customers.
Our main manufacturing partners for kitchen knives was established in 1997 and was the first publicly listed knife company in China. Certified as High-Tech, R&D, and a Leading Knife Manufacturer, it was the first ISO14001 compliant Chinese knife & cutlery manufacturer for effective environmental management — meaning that you can purchase with peace of mind knowing that our manufacturing process upholds the international environmental standards.
7. A Breakdown Of Our Different Steel Types
Our glowing reviews aren’t a coincidence — they’re the result of our commitment to quality, starting with the primary materials we use. By selecting the most premium steels possible, we lay the foundation for our professional-level knives across our different series.
Every line of knives that we manufacture uses high-end, high-carbon steel with extremely high rockwell hardness ratings. Our steels are sourced from the following different locations, depending on the series:
- Japan: Shogun Series, Phantom Series, Ronin Series
- America: Quantum 1 Series, Omega Series,
- Germany: Gladiator Series, Crusader Series
- Sino: Shadow Black Series, Frost Fire Series, Delta Wolf Series, Valhalla Series
While other knife makers may use lower quality steels due to costs, procurement difficulty, manufacturing challenges, etc., we work tirelessly to overcome these obstacles and think outside the box.
8. Our Current Knife Roster
We currently manufacture 9 main series of Dalstrong knives. Below we’ll break down the main features of each series. All knives can be bought individually, while select series have block set options available.
Painstakingly crafted over 60 days using the highest quality materials, these premium knives are both razor-sharp kitchen powerhouses and an artistic statement: supreme function meets stunning elegance. Precision-forged from a single piece of ultra-premium Japanese high-carbon AUS-10V steel, the blade consists of 67-alternating layers of SUS410 Damascus cladding for added stain resistance and durability.
The advanced cryogenic tempering with liquid nitrogen increases the steel's crystalline structure, enhancing strength, flexibility, and hardness. The resulting super-steel core possesses extra high carbon levels, allowing for scalpel-like sharpness with exceptionally long-lasting edge retention.
Hand-sharpened with the Honbazuke 3-step method, the beautiful mirror polished edge is both stunning and precise, sharpened to a staggeringly acute 8-10 degrees per side.
The exquisite hammered tsuchime finish is not only a testament to artful craftsmanship — but it also reduces drag for increased agility. The Shogun Series handle is meticulously constructed of G-10 Garolite, a military-grade, non-porous, fiberglass-like material that is highly impervious to both heat and moisture with life-long durability.
Ronin Series (Previously Shogun Series S)
Strike with mastery.
Meticulously constructed of a handsome combination of G-10 Garolite, an incredibly strong military grade, non-porous & fibreglass like material and stunning Red Rosewood.
Gorgeously laminated and hot-forged, the “Liquid-Kusari” pattern on the blade minimizes drag and stuck on food while maximizing your slicing efficiency, allowing you to glide through prep.
The super-steel core possesses extra high carbon levels, allowing for scalpel-like sharpness with exceptionally long lasting edge retention.
Precision-forged from a single piece of imported premium quality, high-carbon ThyssenKrupp German steel, the Gladiator Series blade holds an ultra-sharp edge with excellent wear and stain resistance.
Hand-sharpened to 16-18 degrees per side, every knife is a high-performance kitchen workhorse, ensuring ultra-thin slicing and dicing with minimal effort, maintenance or clean-up required. A wide blade allows for easy knuckle clearance and scooping food for transfer from cutting board to pot or pan.
Featuring a beautiful, ergonomic and ambidextrous imported black pakkawood handle imported from Spain (laminated for extra strength, sanitation, and water/stain resistance) the Gladiator Series is carefully designed for maximum comfort and maneuverability.
The hand-polished bolster adds counterweight and offers finger protection, while the triple rivets (with signature Dalstrong center rivet) in the handle ensure the highest level of strength and robustness.
The Dalstrong Spartan Ghost series is the pinnacle of culinary bladesmithing. Methodically engineered down to the very last detail, these ferociously effective knives are the ultimate expression of slicing savagery.
Forged of ultra-premium S35VN American powdered hyper-steel and heat-treated to a blistering 61+ Rockwell hardness, these blades exude performance capabilities other knives wish they had. The smaller carbides found in S35VN powdered steel and the heightened purity levels allow for Spartan-like toughness, maximum resilience, and enhanced edge retention, all in an ultra-thin 1.5mm blade.
Painstakingly hand-sharpened to a viciously acute 8 -10 degrees per side and featuring an expertly tapered blade geometry, the Spartan Ghost series glides through delicate fruits, veggies, and boneless meats. The hyper-thin ‘laser profile’ and ultra-steep edge grind drastically reduces friction and drag while optimizing control and dexterity to provide the cleanest and most accurate cuts. A hand-polished satin finish to the blade enhances food release and stain resistance.
The full-tang design ensures maximum durability, while the custom sloped bolster and polished edges allow for a natural and comfortable pinch grip. The traditionally inspired D-shape hybrid handle tucks perfectly into the palm of the hand, helping chefs maneuver with elevated finesse and precision.
Phantom Series
Carefully designed to convey a look of stealthy motion, the Phantom Series of knives are elegant, agile, and ruthless culinary instruments of exceptional performance.
Featuring Japanese AUS-8 steel beautifully engraved with the Dalstrong name down the spine as well as the Japanese kanji for ‘phantom’ or ‘ghost’. Each blade is painstakingly hand sharpened using the traditional honzabuke method, bringing the edge to a razor-sharp 13-15 degrees, ensuring swift, effortless cuts.
Precision-forged from a single piece of ice tempered steel, the blade features a narrower width for improved agility and maneuverability, with a traditional Japanese D-shaped black pakkawood handle designed to tuck perfectly in the palm of the hand. Near the bolster, a distinct red spacer and carefully crafted mosaic of copper and brass adds elegance and refinement.
A hand-polished end cap creates counter balance, ensuring the nimble blade feels more like a ghostly extension of the body than an ordinary kitchen tool.
The Dalstrong Crusader Series is a new collection of stunningly designed, all-steel knives, offering a minimalist aesthetic with unobtrusive beauty. The less is more approach to this series’ design ensures a perfect pairing with any decor, while the razor sharp German made ThyssenKrupp x50crmov15 blade steel at 58+ Rockwell delivers exceptional performance.
A seamless and hygienic transition from the blade to a high-chromium stainless steel handle characterizes the knives with an aggressive, forward moving stance. The sharply drawn lines forming the profile of each knife are indicative of modern design, while the ‘fuller' groove machined into every blade is reminiscent of historical medieval swords, welding the past and present together. The stylized groove along the knife offers the added benefits of reducing friction and stuck on food, while also subtly lightening the knife and improving balance.
The edge of each blade is painstakingly honed by expert craftsmen to 16-18°– ensuring clean, precise cuts with excellent edge-retention and ease of sharpening. The solid steel design ensures incredible toughness and resilience while an intense heat-treatment followed by a deep-freeze nitrogen cooling process enhances hardness and flexibility.
Featuring ultra-premium American forged BD1N-V hyper steel, these blades provide astonishing performance due to their composition and added vacuum heat-treatment to 63+ HRC. The screamingly sharp edge is painstakingly finished to 8-12° per side by expert blade smiths using the traditional 3-step Honbazuke method.
The addition of Nitrogen increases hardness, flexibility, and toughness while providing exceptional wear resistance, ensuring your blade’s performance will last even longer and take you further. Gorgeously laminated and hot-forged, the ‘LiquidMetal’ pattern on the blade minimizes drag and stuck on food while maximizing your slicing efficiency, allowing you to glide through prep.
The G10 woven fiberglass handle is near impervious to heat, cold, and moisture and is presented in midnight black with subtle dark red colorings. Centered in the full-tang handle are an ornate and oversized copper and brass mosaic, creating a distinct and striking appearance.
The painstakingly detailed craftsmanship continues with the Dalstrong Lionhead insignia carefully engraved on both the mirror-polished end-cap and blade itself.
The Frost Fire Series – a collection of light-weight, razor-sharp, knives with an icy cold look, and fiery effective performance. Built for the modern chef who appreciates meticulously crafted, professional knives, that look and feel good, without any sacrifices to functionality.
Carefully engineered with a 7-layer high-carbon, high-chromium 10cr15mov steel with added cobalt and expert heat-treatment, the Frost Fire series will enchant onlookers with its beauty, comfort, and astoundingly sharp razor edge. To further enhance its non-stick properties and provide a unique ‘frosted’ look to its blade, each knife is perfected with a precision-based sandblast finish.
Experience what true comfort feels like with a slender, ergonomic, pristine white resin handle, enclosed in aluminum mesh design for improved durability and a tension-free grip through every movement. The eye-catching Frost Fire Series is a high-performance collection of elegant, powerful, and icy-sharp kitchen knives that will take you further in the kitchen.
The future of meat carving has arrived. Engineered to handle even the largest game meats at the speed of light, the Quantum 1 Series brings the cutting edge of blade technology to one of our most advanced knives. The scimitar-like curve of the blade — hand-sharpened to 8-12°— creates the leverage you need to complete cuts in one, seamless motion.
Carve through flesh, cartilage, sinew, and fat at warp-speeds enhanced further with the Nova Prime blade pattern that reduces drag and boosts efficiency. Crafted with extremely-durable BD1N-X steel, you can trust that your blade has what it takes to conquer new galaxies of flavor.
To ensure optimum maneuverability on every culinary expedition, the Dragon Skin G10-carbon fiber handle adds sleek style and ergonomic handling, while remaining nearly impervious to the galactic rigors of heat, cold, and moisture.
A true warrior never dies. Immortalized in honor, they feast on the spoils of combat, toasting their comrades as they wait to be called for the final battle. Are you gods or are you men? With this blade in hand, you are both.
Forged from a single-piece, high carbon steel at 60+ Rockwell hardness and hand-sharpened to a savage 8-12 degrees per side, the full-tang blade will channel all your might with every slice.
The celestial resin handle — reinforced with stabilized wood and a stainless steel bolster — feels sturdy and turns heads with its rugged and gorgeous design. Complete with a Valhalla-embossed leather sheath, you can keep your knife protected on the go or stashed in a drawer.
Ruthlessly trained. Ready for action. A Delta Wolf takes out its target with precision, no matter how brutal the mission. Moving as a pack, they're an intrepid force that will stop at nothing.
Forged from 9CR18MOV high carbon steel at 60+ Rockwell and hand-sharpened to a savage 8-12 degrees, the full-tang blade will make quick work of your chosen target. The onyx-black, Titanium Nitride coating reduces friction and preserves the steel against corrosion.
The Midnight G10 camouflage handle is triple-riveted and built to withstand even the most vigorous slicing, dicing, and cutting. Enjoy the comfort of its rugged grip, resistant to both extreme hot and cold temperatures for long-term durability.
Purchases of the Delta Wolf Series will support the Wounded Warriors Project and Wounded Warriors Canada
9. Watch : Dalstrong Reviews
Check Out What People Have To Say About Dalstrong
You can also check in with our Expert Knife Finder Quiz and get specific recommendations based on your needs.
Written by Evelyn Duskey
Born in Ohio and based in Buenos Aires, Evelyn loves sharing her grandmother’s midwestern recipes with unsuspecting Argentines.
