Trevor E.
AVOID
First off, in my opinion, this knife feels and looks VERY cheap. I purchased the Explorer Series - 6” Santoku Knife. I found the fit and finish to be lacking, the handle to be uncomfortable, I didn’t like the weight and balance of the knife, and I found that the included sheath felt cheap/flimsy and had an odd smell. At the time of purchase, I thought the upper portion of the blade was black from the hand forging process, but after receiving the knife, it appears to actually just be painted black. This makes me wonder whether or not the knife was actually hand forged at all. I would also be worried that it could wear/flake off into my food while cutting. The knife I received was also quite dull out of the box compared to other knives I have purchased. Next, make sure you CAREFULLY read the 30 day satisfaction guarantee. The knife must be “in new condition and include all packaging” in order to return it. This is clearly stated in their return policy so make sure you READ it, because it would seem that you have to decide whether or not you are satisfied with the knife without actually using it. The return process was fairly slow for me. I requested a return during a long weekend so understandably I didn’t hear anything back until Tuesday morning. Tuesday AM: I was asked if there was any particular reason that I wanted to return the knife. Wednesday AM: I was asked to: 1. Confirm that the items were unused and in original packaging, and 2: send photos of all items and all packaging. Thursday AM: I was offered a 20% discount to avoid return shipping (which the customer pays for, and is stated in the return policy) and I was told that there is a 15% restocking fee. (The return policy mentions that restocking fees may apply) Friday AM: I was told that they would waive the restocking fee, or I could keep the knife at a 50% discount. Friday PM: after declining the option to keep the knife for the final time, I was informed that a full refund had been issued and that I could keep the knife anyway, which was a nice gesture by the company. I personally cannot recommend this knife, as I feel that there are MUCH better options out there at this price point.
Response from The Forged BladeOct 1, 2025
Thanks so much for sharing such a detailed review. We’re really sorry to hear that the experience didn’t meet your expectations. We put a lot of effort into the design and finishing of our knives, so it’s disappointing to know this one fell short for you. The dark coating on the blade isn’t paint but a protective finish to help with durability and corrosion resistance. Our knives are hand-finished and sharpened before shipping, but we recognize that preferences around balance, weight, and sharpness vary widely. We’re sorry this knife didn’t feel right in your hand or meet your expectations out of the box. As for the return process, we know that returns can feel like a hassle. Our policies are meant to protect both customers and the company, but that doesn’t mean the process can’t be smoother or clearer. We’re glad we were able to get you a full refund and let you keep the knife anyway. We really appreciate you giving us a try and being so honest in your feedback. Even though this knife wasn’t the right fit for you, we’ll keep working to make sure future customers have a better experience.