Knives

Nighthawk Custom is honored to be the exclusive distributor of handmade custom knives by Arkansas Native and Master Knifemaker, Keith Murr. A partnership since 2007, that has brought the highest quality knives to our customers. Keith Murr was and is a natural fit for Nighthawk Custom in is his ability to create and offer knives both traditional and modern.

Arkansas has been a known hotbed of excellent custom knifemakers for almost 200 years now. To those living in this area, the name Keith Murr is synonymous with high-quality custom knives of the finest order. For years Mr. Murr has built knives for people all over the United States that have a true passion for detail and craftmanship.

Mr. Murr first started building knives back in 1987. He began using saw blade metal but learned very quickly that they would not hold an edge to suit his passion for quality. He then started researching into other types of steel. Over 30 years ago, he began to learn about tempering from some of the big-name custom knife makers. As he completed each knife, he personally tested them for durability and the ability to hold an edge. He's still following his tried-and-true method to this day, hand building each knife to stand up to years of the most rigorous use.

After working with many types of steel, Mr. Murr chose D2, which is a high-carbon tool steel as his primary steel of choice. He tempers it to a Rockwell hardness of 59-60 in order for it to hold the edge he expects without becoming brittle, but still able to sharpen somewhat easy. He also is a master with Damascus, which is steel made with a wavy surface pattern produced by hammer-welding strips of steel and iron followed by repeated heating and forging, used chiefly for knives all the way back to medieval period.

Keith Murr approaches his knife making in a unique manner. He told us, "I was raised to believe that everything I make reflects on me as a person, so I do my very best on every knife I make." We completely agree, it’s the same philosophy we use in everything we build and offer here at Nighthawk Custom.

One Knife, One Knifemaker