custom knives

KNIFE WITHDRAWN FROM A PRIVATE COLLECTION
* Origin: Withdrawn from a private individual, previously purchased
* Conditions: in like-new condition
* Available on the market: No longer available
* Sharpening: Factory
* Marks on blade: None
* Marks on handle: None
* Box: /
* Sheath: hand-made leather in good condition
* Manuals, Certificates and Guarantees: No
* Checked and Certified by our internal laboratory

Intended use: collection/sports

Type of production: Handcrafted
Blade production: Cambodia
Blade: mirror-finish DNH7 carbon steel
Blade treatment: brut de forge
Handle: wood and horn
Blade length: approx. 120mm.
Blade thickness: approx. 5.5mm.
Total length: approx. 250mm.
Balance: -
Weight: approx. 228g.
Lock: 1.5cm set back
Sheath: Handcrafted leather
Notes: -

Citadel Knives and Swords is a sword and knife manufacturer based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Despite the country's reputation as an exotic and remote location, the company is easily accessible, located close to the city's international airport. The workshop is modest but houses an impressive range of high-quality Japanese swords and knives.

Founded by Dominique Eluere in the 1990s, Citadel has combined the expertise of French and local craftsmen to produce blades that rival the best in the world. Eluere began by training Cambodian blacksmiths to make French table knives, later evolving into the production of Japanese swords.

The quality of Citadel swords is world renowned, thanks to the use of traditional Japanese techniques and a meticulous manufacturing process. Each katana is heat treated, creating a blade with varying hardness along the edge and spine, a hallmark of true katanas. The hilt is fully encased in high-quality stingray leather, a rarity compared to common panels.

Attention to detail extends to every element, with every component custom-made for each blade. This includes the tsuba (sword guard) and habaki (blade collar), both of which are hand-crafted and fitted, ensuring perfect fit and functionality.

In addition to katanas, Citadel also produces European swords and knives, maintaining the same philosophy of quality and functionality. Production is artisanal, with particular attention to polishing and finishing, often done by hand with sandpaper and whetstones.

Citadel is proud of its Cambodian roots, with local workers looking up to Eluere as a father figure and deeply involved in maintaining the company's high standards.

In short, Citadel Knives and Swords represents a perfect fusion of tradition, craftsmanship and innovation, offering products that are truly functional works of art. These tools, while expensive, represent an investment in quality and craftsmanship that is hard to match.

Type of production: Handmade
Country of Production: Italy
Blade: Sleipner steel at 60HRC
Blade Finish: PVD
Handle: Ironwood with FatCarbon Darkmatter guard and carbon fiber pins
Blade length: 115mm.
Blade thickness: 6mm.
Total length: 244mm.
Balance: set back 3cm from the guard branch
Weight: 265g.
Scabbard: handcrafted and hand-stitched leather
Package and certificate: cordura pouch and certificate of authenticity
Notes: unique knife and handcrafted for Coltelleria Collini in Busto Arsizio - no. 254

Type of production: Artisan
Country of production: Italy
Blade: RWL34 stainless steel at 60HRC
Blade finish: Satin finish
Handle: Snakewood with white G10 fibres, steel edges and titanium spacer
Blade length: 85mm.
Blade thickness: 3.2mm.
Total length: 198mm.
Closed length: 115mm.
Weight: 105g.
Locking system: liner lock
Clip: removable, titanium
Packaging and certificate: cordura case and certificate of authenticity
Notes: unique knife handcrafted for Coltelleria Collini in Busto Arsizio - n. 310

Type of Production: Handcrafted
Blade Production: Italy
Blade: Apex Ultra steel at 63HRC
Blade Finish: Stone Washed
Handle: Ironwood, G10, and carbon pins
Blade Length: 90mm
Blade Thickness: 4.8mm
Total Length: 204mm
Balance: Set back 3cm from the guard branch
Weight: 179g
Sheath: Hand-stitched and crafted leather
Notes: unique knife handcrafted for Coltelleria Collini of Busto Arsizio - No. 310

Type of Production: Handcrafted
Blade Production: Italy
Blade: Apex Ultra steel at 63HRC
Blade Finish: Stone Washed
Handle: Stabilized Birch, G10, and carbon pins
Blade Length: 90mm
Blade Thickness: 4.8mm
Total Length: 204mm
Balance: shifted 3cm back from the guard branch
Weight: 179g
Sheath: hand-stitched and crafted leather
Packaging and Certificate: Cordura case and authenticity certificate
Notes: unique knife handcrafted for Coltelleria Collini of Busto Arsizio - No. 309

Intended Use: Collection / Light Utility

Type of production: Handcrafted
Country of Production: Italy
Blade: W2 steel at 60HRC
Blade finish: hamon made with selective tempering
Handle: mango wood, resin spacers and blue G10, 4mm carbon fiber pin
Blade length: 110mm.
Blade thickness: 4.8mm.
Total length: 235mm.
Weight: 210g.
Scabbard: leather, handmade
Packaging and certificate: cordura pouch and certificate of authenticity
Notes: unique and numbered knife, handcrafted especially for Coltelleria Collini - No. 297

Intended Use: Collection / Light Utility

Type of production: Handcrafted
Country of Production: Italy
Blade: W2 steel at 60HRC
Blade finish: hamon made with selective tempering
Handle: ebony wood, resin spacers and blue G10, 4mm carbon pin
Blade length: 110mm.
Blade thickness: 4.8mm.
Total length: 235mm.
Balance: backward
Weight: 210g.
Scabbard: leather worked and sewn by hand
Packaging and certificate: cordura pouch and certificate of authenticity
Notes: unique and numbered knife, handcrafted especially for Coltelleria Collini - No. 296

Type of production: Artisan
Country of production: Italy
Blade: 60HRC Sleipner Steel
Blade Finish: PVD
Handle: Black Stabilised Birch with FatCarbon Darkmatter guard and carbon pins
Blade length: 150mm.
Blade thickness: 6mm.
Total length: 294mm.
Balance: on the guard branch
Weight: 360g.
Scabbard: hand worked and sewn leather
Packaging and certificate: Cordura pouch and certificate of authenticity
Notes: unique knife handcrafted for Coltelleria Collini in Busto Arsizio - no. 256

Type of production: Artisanal
Blade production: Italy
Blade: Sleipner steel at 60HRC
Blade finish: satin
Handle: Ironwood with FatCarbon Darkmatter guard and carbon pins
Blade length: 150mm.
Blade thickness: 6mm.
Total length: 294mm.
Balancing: on the guard branch
Weight: 345g.
Sheath: in worked and hand-stitched leather
Packaging and certificate: cordura case and certificate of authenticity
Notes: unique knife handcrafted for Collini Cutlery in Busto Arsizio - n. 257

Production Type: Artisan
Blade Production: Italy
Blade: Sleipner steel at 60HRC
Blade Finish: PVD
Handle: Black Stabilized Birch with FatCarbon Darkmatter guard and carbon pins
Blade length: 115mm.
Blade thickness: 6mm.
Total length: 244mm.
Balance: set back 3cm from the guard branch
Weight: 265g.
Scabbard: handcrafted and hand-stitched leather
Package and certificate: cordura pouch and certificate of authenticity
Notes: unique knife and handcrafted for Coltelleria Collini in Busto Arsizio - no. 253

Citadel - Nordic

These handmade knives are distinguished by their original but functional line, which is well matched to the traditional manufacturing techniques and the materials used.
The blades are in fact carbon-hardened to a hardness of around 40 HRC after which, after being hammered by hand, the back and sides are covered with clay and the wire tempered at 60 HRC to have excellent cutting capacity, penetration and flexibility. The knife is then polished and sharpened by hand on stone and finished in every single detail.

Blade: DNH7 "Bruit de forge" selective hardening 40/60 HRC steel with file-worked spine
handle: In wood with brass guard
Blade length: 70 mm.
Handle length: 115 mm.
Blade thickness: 3.5 mm.
Total length: 195 mm.
Sheath: Handmade brown leather
Weight: 154 g.