Inside a Three-Stage Quality Inspection

We tell customers that every piece passes three stages of inspection before export, but rarely explain what that actually means in practice. Here's the process, stage by stage.

The first check happens right after heat treatment, before any handle work begins. A smith checks the blade for warping, hairline cracks from quenching, and confirms the edge geometry is even along its full length.

The second check happens after the handle is fitted and the piece is fully assembled. This is where fit and finish are judged — pin alignment, gaps between handle scales and bolster, and how smoothly the blade opens if it's a folder.

The final check happens immediately before packing. The edge is tested for sharpness, the whole piece is inspected under strong light for any missed finishing marks, and the blade is matched against its listing photos and specifications one last time before it's wrapped for shipping.