Ordering

Are these knives new or used?

Everything we list is new unless the listing says otherwise. Generally we use 3 conditions...

New from Maker = is just that, received direct from the maker

Like New from Private Collection = We've sourced the knife from another collector and the knife is in pristine condition. You would have thought it came direct from the maker.

Used = A knife that was sourced from a collector and it possibly shows some pocket wear. The edge may have been touched up. We generally will make note of what we can see.

Is the knife I'm ordering in stock?

We only sell what we actually have in stock, so if it's up on the site, it's real and ready to ship — same day usually.

Why do some sold knives still show up at $0.00?

Custom knives are one-of-a-kind. When one sells, we keep the listing up (marked Sold) instead of deleting it — it's a record of what's come through the shop, and it helps you see the range of work a maker does even after a piece is gone.

What's the difference between custom and production knives?

Custom knives are handmade, one at a time, by an individual maker — no two are exactly alike, and once one sells, it's gone for good. Production knives come from an established manufacturer (Spyderco, Benchmade, Microtech, etc.) in repeatable runs. We carry both.

How do I know a custom knife is authentic?

We work directly with the makers we carry — these aren't secondhand or gray-market pieces. Some makes will include a COA (Certificate of Authenticity) from the maker. If you ever have a question about a specific piece's provenance, email us and we'll help you out.

Do you offer layaway?

Yes — free, no interest, no fees, on anything over $200. Three equal payments over 60 days. Full layaway terms here.

Do you buy knives?

Occasionally — if it's in pristine condition. Details here.

Shipping

How fast do you ship?

Same day, via USPS, unless the customer has paid for the upgraded shipping or the listing says "next day shipping included".

Do you ship internationally?

Yes, anywhere in the world. You're responsible for knowing your local laws and any import restrictions before you order — we can't be responsible for items seized or delayed by customs, and we won't falsify customs paperwork. Full shipping policy here.

I paid with PayPal — can you ship somewhere other than my PayPal address?

Only if you email us first at sales@empireoutfitters.com before we ship. Otherwise it goes to your verified PayPal address as per paypal policy.

Returns & Order Issues

What's your return policy?

You have 3 days from delivery to let us know if something's wrong. Returns are subject to a 15% restocking fee, and shipping/processing fees aren't refundable. If the return is our error, we'll make it right. Contact us before sending anything back. Full policy here.

Can I cancel my order?

Yes, but canceled orders carry a 3% fee to cover what PayPal/credit card processors charge us — that part's non-refundable. This changed in 2023. Historically we could refund you 100% of your order but now paypal/credit card processors keep the fee they charge us regardless.

Age & Legal

Is there an age requirement?

You must be 18+ to order any knife, and 21+ for restricted items (marked on the listing). You're responsible for knowing whether a given item is legal to own, carry, or import where you live — laws vary a lot by state and country, so check before you buy.

Craig's Picks — EDC & Steel

What do you personally carry?

I carry two knives, always, in the same spot — one fixed blade that's strictly backup, and one folder I actually use all day. I don't switch pockets or positions. Under stress, you want your gear exactly where your hands expect it to be.

For a fixed blade, I like something small in a minimalist Kydex sheath with a Mummert Knives titanium clip — a 2″–4″ blade, around .190″ thick, in a solid steel like S30V or a high-grade titanium like 6Al-4V. Titanium's a great EDC material: strong for its weight and highly corrosion resistant. Ban Tang, Daniel Fairly's Kwaiken, John Gray's Accomplice, and Kingdom Armory's Grayling are all good examples of what I mean.

For a folder, I want a titanium-chassis framelock with a thumb hole or stud — not a flipper, and not bearings. Deep-carried knives pick up dust, lint, sand, coins, everything, and that's exactly what clogs up a bearing system. I use a pocket shield instead of a clip on your pants, since clips scratch up car doors and desks and tend to catch on clothes and pull right out anyway. When you need the knife, you want it to open clean, one-handed, no fuss.

What's the best blade steel?

There isn't one — every steel is a trade-off between hardness, edge retention, toughness, corrosion resistance, and how easy it is to sharpen. A great steel for a hard-use fixed blade might be a poor choice for a fillet knife, and vice versa.

Steels I like, by category:

• Tool steels: A2, O1, D2, and CPM tool steels
• Stainless steels: 440C, 154CM, CPM-154, CPM-S30V, CPM-S35VN, CPM-S90V
• High carbon steels: 1095, 5160, 15N20, CPM Rex M4

In short: hardness resists deformation, toughness resists chipping and cracking, wear resistance fights abrasion, corrosion resistance fights rust, and edge retention is really a combination of the above. No single steel wins on all five — the right pick depends on what you're actually going to do with the knife.

What handle materials do you see most often?

• Metal: Titanium, aluminum, brass, copper
• Synthetic: G10, Micarta, carbon fiber, mother of pearl
• Natural: Bone, horn, antler, wood

Still have a question? Email us at sales@empireoutfitters.com — we read every one.