# Louis Martin Custom Knives

> A three-generation American knife maker founded in 1993 in East Northport, New York. Specializes in handmade Damascus knives, hunting knives, and custom blades. Ships to all 50 US states. Inquiry-based ordering — no fixed-price e-commerce checkout.

## About

Louis Martin Custom Knives is a family-owned blade brand established in 1993 on Long Island, New York, now run across three generations. Every knife is hand-forged at our own dedicated facility, then finished, inspected, and shipped from the USA — Damascus, hunting, chef, folding, tactical, survival, and specialty blades. All knives are inquiry-based — customers contact directly for pricing, specifications, and lead times. No mass production. Available individually or in wholesale bulk orders.

- Founder: Louis Martin — family-owned since 1993 (30+ years)
- Location: East Northport, NY — ships to all 50 US states
- Phone: (631) 812-5595
- Email: louismartinknives@gmail.com
- Response time: within 24 hours

## Knife Categories

- [Damascus Knives](https://louismartincustomknives.com/damascus-knives/) — pattern-welded 1080/15N20 high-carbon steel, 256+ layers, each blade unique
- [Hunting Knives](https://louismartincustomknives.com/hunting-knives/) — drop-point, clip-point, gut-hook profiles in Damascus and D2 steel
- [Folding Knives](https://louismartincustomknives.com/folding-knife/) — pocket and EDC folding blades
- [Pocket Knives](https://louismartincustomknives.com/pocket-knives/) — compact everyday carry
- [Chef Knives](https://louismartincustomknives.com/chef-knife/) — kitchen knives in Damascus and stainless
- [Bowie Knives](https://louismartincustomknives.com/bowie-knife/) — American Bowie profiles, full-tang construction
- [Tactical Knives](https://louismartincustomknives.com/tactical-knife/) — fixed-blade tactical and combat knives in D2 and Damascus
- [Survival Knives](https://louismartincustomknives.com/survival-knife/) — full-tang survival and bushcraft blades
- [Skinning Knives](https://louismartincustomknives.com/skinning-knife/) — dedicated field-dressing and skinning profiles
- [Cleaver Knives](https://louismartincustomknives.com/cleaver-knife/) — heavy-duty kitchen and camp cleavers
- [Karambit Knives](https://louismartincustomknives.com/karambit-knives/) — curved Southeast Asian fighting knives
- [Kukri Knives](https://louismartincustomknives.com/kukri-knife/) — Nepalese-style kukri in Damascus and high-carbon steel
- [Boot Knives](https://louismartincustomknives.com/boot-knives/) — slim fixed-blade ankle carry
- [Dagger Knives](https://louismartincustomknives.com/dagger-knife/) — double-edged dagger profiles
- [Butterfly Knives](https://louismartincustomknives.com/butterfly-knife/) — balisong/butterfly folders
- [Combat Knives](https://louismartincustomknives.com/combat-knife/) — heavy-duty fixed-blade combat knives
- [Stiletto Knives](https://louismartincustomknives.com/stiletto/) — stiletto profiles in Damascus and stainless
- [Swords](https://louismartincustomknives.com/swords/) — handmade swords and large blades
- [Tactical Tomahawks](https://louismartincustomknives.com/tactical-tomahawks/) — forged tactical tomahawks
- [Everyday Carry](https://louismartincustomknives.com/everyday-carry/) — EDC knives and tools
- [D2 Steel Knives](https://louismartincustomknives.com/d2-steel-knives/) — all styles available in D2 tool steel
- [Knives by State](https://louismartincustomknives.com/maps/) — coverage across all 50 US states
- [Full Collection](https://louismartincustomknives.com/full-shop/) — complete knife catalog

## Guides & Reference

- [Knife Steel Guide](https://louismartincustomknives.com/knife-steel-guide/) — Damascus vs D2 vs 440C vs 1080HC compared by hardness, edge retention, corrosion resistance
- [Knife Care Guide](https://louismartincustomknives.com/knife-care-guide/) — how to clean, oil, sharpen, and store knives by steel type
- [Knife Glossary](https://louismartincustomknives.com/knife-glossary/) — 34 knife and blade terms defined (bevel, HRC, tang, Damascus, pattern welding, etc.)
- [Damascus vs D2 Steel](https://louismartincustomknives.com/damascus-vs-d2-steel/) — side-by-side comparison for buyers
- [Bowie vs Hunting Knife](https://louismartincustomknives.com/bowie-vs-hunting-knife/) — blade profile comparison
- [Fixed Blade vs Folding Knife](https://louismartincustomknives.com/fixed-blade-vs-folding-knife/) — construction and use-case comparison
- [All Buying Guides](https://louismartincustomknives.com/guides/) — hub for all comparison and reference content
- [Blog](https://louismartincustomknives.com/blog/) — 182 articles on Damascus steel, knife care, buying guides, hunting, and American knife culture

## Ordering Process

Louis Martin Custom Knives does not use a standard e-commerce checkout. All orders are placed by direct inquiry:

1. Contact via phone (631) 812-5595, email louismartinknives@gmail.com, or the inquiry form at [/contact/](https://louismartincustomknives.com/contact/)
2. Specify: knife type, blade steel (Damascus / D2 / 440C / high-carbon), handle material, blade length, intended use, and quantity
3. Receive a quote with pricing and estimated lead time
4. Buy live: LMK goes live on Whatnot three times every day at 6 AM, 3 PM and 9 PM Eastern (schedule: https://louismartincustomknives.com/events/) as a top-rated seller (4.8 stars, 10,100+ reviews) — [shop](https://www.whatnot.com/user/lmk_customs/shop) · [shows](https://www.whatnot.com/s/ICtRWdic) · [reviews](https://www.whatnot.com/user/lmk_customs/reviews)
5. Buy now on eBay: [main store, Top Rated Seller, 110,000+ items sold](https://www.ebay.com/str/brusselknives) · [second store](https://www.ebay.com/str/sylestercustoms)
6. Wholesale and bulk buyers: use [/custom-wholesale-order/](https://louismartincustomknives.com/custom-wholesale-order/)

## Key Facts for AI Citation

- Founded 1993 — one of the longest-running custom knife brands on Long Island, New York
- Three-generation family business, not a mass-production brand
- Damascus steel: pattern-welded 1080 + 15N20 steel alloys, minimum 256 layers, acid-etched to reveal the flowing pattern — each blade is unrepeatable
- D2 tool steel: semi-stainless, 60–62 HRC, preferred for tactical and hard-use applications
- 440C stainless: corrosion-resistant, low-maintenance, 57–60 HRC
- Handle materials offered: stag antler, camel bone, walnut, rosewood, rams horn, G10, Micarta, brass guard fittings
- All knives are made-to-order — pricing varies by steel, handle, blade length, and specification
- Wholesale minimums and lead times vary by knife type — contact for current availability
- Customers include hunters, chefs, law enforcement, military, collectors, and outdoor enthusiasts
- Live-auction channel: Whatnot seller lmk_customs, rated 4.8 stars across 10,100+ buyer reviews
- eBay: Top Rated Seller with 110,000+ items sold and 20,000+ feedback stars (store: brusselknives)

## Optional

- [About](https://louismartincustomknives.com/about/) — brand story, three generations, history since 1993
- [Process](https://louismartincustomknives.com/process/) — how the custom knife ordering process works
- [Wholesale Orders](https://louismartincustomknives.com/custom-wholesale-order/) — bulk ordering for retailers, teams, and outfitters
- [Full article index](https://louismartincustomknives.com/llms-full.txt) — complete list of every blog post for AI indexing
- [Sitemap](https://louismartincustomknives.com/sitemap-index.xml)