Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Pakistan by specially selected Artisans with multi-generational levels of experience. A few of our knives are also made in China by accomplished knife manufacturers.

Products from Pakistan are all hand-forged and handmade. Products from China are made with CNC and other metal processing machines and then hand-finished and assembled.

• 3Cr13 Stainless Steel (3Cr13): Solid Performance Known for its balanced hardness and corrosion resistance, 3Cr13 is a martensitic stainless steel featuring approximately 13% chromium and 0.3% carbon. It offers moderate toughness and is easy to sharpen, making it a preferred material for knives, scissors, and kitchen utensils. Despite not retaining an edge as long as premium steels, its affordability, and low-maintenance appeal make it ideal for everyday use in varied environments.

• 440C Stainless Steel (440C or SS): High-Performance Experience the excellence of 440C Stainless Steel, a blend of iron, chromium, carbon, and other elements with a hardness of 58 HRC. Renowned for its robustness and wear resistance, this steel is easy to sharpen and maintain. Combining durability, corrosion resistance, and easy upkeep, 440C Stainless Steel offers superior cutting performance.

• 12C27 Stainless Steel (12C27): Advanced Performance Experience the toughness of 12C27 Stainless Steel, with a hardness of 58 HRC. Its balance of hardness, toughness, edge stability, corrosion resistance, and ease of resharpening make 12C27 Stainless Steel a preferred choice for demanding cutting tasks among knife enthusiasts and professionals.

• Damascus Steel (D): Beauty Unleashed Experience the allure of Damascus Steel, crafted from 1095 high-carbon and 15N20 nickel steel with a hardness of 59 HRC. Meticulous forging techniques, including layering, folding, and twisting, create unique blade patterns like Rain Drop Damascus (RDD), Twisted Damascus (TWD), and Ladder Damascus (LDD). Beyond its beauty, Damascus Steel is highly durable, chip-resistant, and maintains a sharp edge. Regular lubrication with mineral or food-grade oil is essential to prevent corrosion due to its carbon steel composition.

• Copper Damascus Steel (CD), or Mokume-gane: Contrasting Elegancy It is crafted by forging layers of copper and Damascus Steel together by heating them to approximately 1000°C (1832°F) and hammering. The metals are bonded, folded, and hammered repeatedly, typically through 10 to 15 folds, creating intricate patterns resembling wood grain or flowing water. The final material typically features a combination of copper, which has a melting point of 1085°C (1985°F), and steel, with a melting point of around 1370-1510°C (2500-2750°F). The finished product is often etched using acids or polished to enhance the contrast between layers. This method produces a strong, decorative material prized for high-end knives, jewelry, and art pieces.

• San Mai Damascus Steel (SMD): Beauty and Durability Discover the strength and elegance of San Mai Damascus steel, with a hardness of 58 HRC. It features a core of 1095 high-carbon and 15N20 nickel steel (Damascus) and an exterior of 440C stainless steel. This combination offers exceptional strength, sharpness, and corrosion resistance. The wavy blade pattern, revealed after finishing, showcases the layers of both steels. Regular lubrication with mineral or food-grade oil is essential to prevent corrosion of the Damascus core.

• Stainless Steel Damascus (SSD): Crafted Brilliance Experience the artistry of Stainless Steel Damascus, made from multiple layers of 440C Stainless Steel with a hardness of 58 HRC. Forging techniques like layering, folding, and twisting create unique blade patterns such as Rain Drop Damascus (RDSSD), Twisted (TWSSD), and Ladder (LDSSD). This steel offers corrosion resistance, durability, exceptional hardness, edge sharpness, easy resharpening, and beautiful blade patterns.

• High Carbon Steel (HCS): Unparalleled Strength and Durability High-carbon steel contains a carbon content ranging between 0.60% – 1.5%. It’s the most corrosion-resistant of steel due to its high carbon content. This increased carbon significantly enhances the steel’s hardness, tensile strength, and wear resistance.

Our knife handles are made with the following different materials:

Pakkawood – This is high-quality wood polished and stained, then infused with resin that makes it waterproof and resistant to wear.  Pakkawood is durable and comes in vivid patterns and colors.

Micarta – This consists of multi-layers of linen impregnated with epoxy.  Micarta is resistant to water and oils, is considered very durable, and comes in many patterns and colors.  

Canvas Micarta – This consists of multi-layers of high-quality canvas thoroughly dried to eliminate all moisture and then impregnated with high-quality knife-grade epoxy.  It’s not only highly resistant to water and oils but is extremely durable.

Bone – Camel bone is the bone of choice for many handles due to its beauty, density, color absorbance capability, and general availability. Like any natural material, it’s subject to structural deformities (cracks and splits) due to fluctuations in moisture content in its surrounding environments over time.  Natural products like bone also degrade over time due to excessive exposure to heat and sunlight.

Horn – Red Deer Antler, Ram’s Horn, and Buffalo Horn are the materials for many of our handles due to their beauty, density, color absorbance capability, and general availability. Like any natural material, they are subject to structural deformities (cracks and splits) due to fluctuations in moisture content in their surrounding environments over time.  Natural products like horns also degrade over time due to excessive exposure to heat and sunlight.

Resin – This is a type of plastic that is aesthetically pleasing to the eye due to the variations in the numerous colors that are available. Resin is also fairly durable, easy to maintain, affordable, and lightweight. Resin, however, is more prone to impact damage than other materials. Resin handles offer less gripping power due to their composition and smooth texture. 

What are knife sheaths made of?

Our knife sheaths are made with the following types of materials:

Leather – This type of leather is a very cost-effective solution to providing snug and secure housing for knives while being aesthetically pleasing to the eye. If properly maintained, leather sheaths will last a long time. Natural products like leather also degrade over time due to excessive exposure to moisture, heat, and sunlight. To prolong the life of leather sheaths, one should use natural leather oil such as neatsfoot, lanolin, almond oil, or beeswax.

Kydex – This type of thermoplastic provides a very cost-effective, tough, protective, and secure covering for knives. It is very desirable to use when wearing a knife in very moist and rugged environments. It does not require any maintenance and can last a lifetime. The only downside to Kydex is its stiffness. This tends to scratch and wear on your knife when drawing and re-sheathing.  It can also be uncomfortable to handle and wear.

Automatics, Balisongs (except practice balisongs), and Gravity Knives – These knives will NOT be shipped to the following states…CA, CT, DE, HI, MA, MD, MN, NM, NJ, VT, WA, or any Indian Reservations due to state or federal law prohibiting possession. Please click on the following link for more detailed information:  https://www.akti.org/state-laws-regarding-automatics/

Other Prohibited Products, such as daggers, will also NOT be shipped to certain states or jurisdictions after the staff at Red Duck Knives reviews your order.  Our staff makes a good-faith effort to identify and notify you of any prohibited knives before they’re shipped.  Due to the complex and convoluted nature of the laws in many states, counties, and cities, Red Duck Knives cannot be held liable for the shipment of prohibited products.  We recommend you review and fully understand what knives are prohibited in your “ship to” address before placing your order at https://www.akti.org/state-knife-laws/ or https://www.bladeaddict.com/pages/knife-laws-by-state.

Products are shipped FREE within two to three business days, provided the products ordered are in stock. Products are shipped using the Ground Shipping Services offered by USPS or UPS.  Shipping time varies between 5 to 10 working days within the 50 states. Shipping to Hawaii and Alaska may take longer.

We offer a full refund or exchange within the first 30 days of items shipped to you incorrectly, defective, or damaged. And, if for any reason you are not satisfied with your knife during the first 30 days, you may return the unused knife with its original packing material at your own expense and pay a 15% restocking fee. If 30 days have passed since your purchase, you will not be offered a refund or exchange. For our complete Return Policy, please click on the following link: https://redduckknives.com/refund-and-exchange-policy/

All branded Red Duck Knives (RDK) products, except for sheaths, are guaranteed against defects in workmanship and materials for the original owner’s life.

Gift cards can be purchased and used to purchase products. They expire one year after their issue date and are not refundable, nor will credit be issued for the expired cards.

We accept Credit Cards and Debit Cards.

You can call for support at (800)771-0624 (9 AM to 6 PM – Monday through Friday) or email us at service@redduckknives.com.