Customization Options Explained — Build Your Blade Your Way
Every blade that leaves Everest Forge is forged to order. Nothing is pulled from a warehouse shelf — when you place an order, our blacksmiths in Kathmandu build that exact blade to the choices you make on the product page. That is why most of our swords, kukris, daggers and machetes carry a set of options below the price: blade finish, blade length, handle material, scabbard colour, and engraving. This page explains what each option means in plain words, so you can pick with confidence instead of guessing. The exact choices vary from product to product — always check the dropdowns on the specific product page — but the meaning of each option is the same everywhere, and that is what this guide covers.
Everest Forge — Forged to Order
Five Ways to Make a Blade Yours
Finish, length, handle, scabbard and engraving — every choice is explained below. Want something completely one of a kind that no dropdown can cover? Our Custom Forge service builds a blade from scratch to your exact design.
Blade Finish — Satin, Mirror Polish, Raw Forge & Black Coated
The finish is the surface treatment of the steel. It changes how the blade looks, how much it shines, and how it ages — but not how it cuts. This is the option buyers ask about most, so here is exactly what each one means.
Satin finish is a soft, brushed surface with a low, even sheen. Fine parallel lines run along the blade, catching light gently rather than throwing a hard reflection. It is the practical all-rounder — understated, low-glare, and forgiving. Minor handling marks and light scratches blend into the brushed texture instead of standing out, which makes it the easiest finish to live with day to day. If you are unsure which to pick, satin is the safe choice.
Mirror / polished finish is a bright, highly reflective surface, polished until the steel shines like glass. It is the display-grade look — it shows off the blade's geometry and the quality of the steel, and it photographs beautifully. The trade-off is upkeep: a mirror surface shows every fingerprint, smudge and fine scratch, so it rewards careful handling and regular wiping. Choose mirror polish when the blade is mainly for display, presentation, or a gift that needs to make an impression.
Raw / forge finish keeps the dark, textured surface the blade has as it comes off the anvil — forge scale, hammer marks, and the natural variation of hand-work all left in place. It is the most rustic and authentic look, with real character and no two pieces ever identical. Reflectivity is low and the surface hides marks well. Choose raw forge when you want a primal, historical, hand-made aesthetic rather than a clean modern shine.
Black coated finish is a matte black surface applied over the steel. It has very low reflectivity for a stealthy, modern, tactical look, and the coating adds a layer of protection against surface corrosion. It is low-maintenance in normal handling. Note that on a sharpened, working blade the coating can show wear right at the cutting edge over time, which is normal for any coated blade. Choose black coated for a modern tactical aesthetic.
One note that applies to every finish: our blades are high-carbon steel, which means they can develop surface rust if neglected, regardless of finish. A light wipe of oil now and then keeps any of them in good condition. Satin and raw forge hide marks best, mirror shows the most, and black coated needs the least day-to-day attention.
| Finish | Look | Reflectivity | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Satin | Soft brushed lines | Low glare | Everyday all-rounder |
| Mirror Polish | Bright, glass-like | High shine | Display & gifts |
| Raw Forge | Dark, hammered texture | Matte, rustic | Historical, authentic look |
| Black Coated | Matte black coating | Very low | Modern tactical look |
Blade Length — Choosing the Right Size
Blade length changes how a piece feels in the hand, how much presence it has, and what it suits best. The exact lengths offered depend on the product — check the Blade Length dropdown on the page — but the guidance below holds across the range.
Shorter blades are lighter, nimbler, and easier to handle and display. They suit close, controlled use and buyers who want a more compact piece that is simple to store and mount. Standard / mid-range lengths are the most-ordered sizes for most designs — they keep the historically correct proportions and give a balanced feel that works for both display and use. Longer blades add reach and visual presence, with more weight forward and a more two-handed feel. They make a statement, but they are heavier and need more room to handle and display.
Where a length sits relative to the base price is shown right in the dropdown — shorter options often reduce the price slightly, longer options add to it. If you need a length outside what is listed, that is exactly what our Custom Forge service is for.
Handle Material — Grip, Grain & Durability
The handle is what you actually hold, so its material affects grip, weight and look. Different products offer different woods and materials depending on the design and tradition behind the blade — here are the ones you will see most often.
Rosewood is a dense, dark-grained hardwood and the classic choice — durable, good in the hand, and ages beautifully with a deep grain that only looks better over time. White-wood (Sadhan) is a lighter Nepalese hardwood with a pale grain, giving a lighter handle and a contrasting, brighter look. On some pieces you will also see buffalo horn, a traditional material that polishes to a smooth, premium sheen, and micarta, a modern composite that is extremely tough and grips well wet or dry with almost no upkeep. Every handle is full-tang and hand-riveted at our workshop in Nepal, whatever material you choose.
Scabbard — Leather Colours & Construction
Most of our blades ship with a hand-made scabbard, and where colour options exist you choose the leather. Each scabbard is built around a wooden core, then wrapped in leather and hand-stitched along the seam, so it is a hand-made piece in its own right.
Colour choices depend on the product — common options include black and brown for a classic, traditional look, with red, green, blue and yellow available on many pieces for something that stands out or matches a collection. Pick the colour that fits your kit, your display, or simply your taste. The dropdown on the product page shows exactly which colours that blade offers, and whether a no-scabbard option is available.
Engraving & Personalisation — Text, Lettering, Logos & Photos
Engraving is what turns a blade into your blade. There are usually two separate options on the product page, and both are included — engraving is part of the price, not a paid add-on.
Personalise your blade is the free text option — add a name, initials, a date, a motto, or lettering in a script of your choice. Custom logo & photo engraving is the upload option — send us your own image, such as a family crest, a unit badge, a brand logo, or original artwork, and we engrave it directly onto the blade. Both are hand-applied during the finishing stage by our engravers in Nepal, which makes any piece ideal as a commemorative gift, a milestone marker, or a one-off for a collection. To see what is possible, browse our personalised blades page for examples of past work.
Beyond the Options — A Completely Bespoke Blade
The options on a product page let you configure an existing design. If you want something the dropdowns cannot cover — a different blade shape, a design of your own, a piece built to specific dimensions, or a one-of-a-kind commission — that is what our Custom Forge service is for. You describe what you want, we confirm the specification, and a master blacksmith forges it by hand from scratch.
Everest Forge — Custom Forging
Your Design, Forged by Hand
Submit a sketch, a reference image, or a written description. We confirm length, steel, handle, scabbard and engraving before any hammer falls. Hand-forged in Kathmandu, Nepal, and shipped worldwide.
How to Choose — A Quick Summary
For the finish — pick satin if you want an easy, understated all-rounder, mirror polish for display and gifts, raw forge for a rustic historical look, and black coated for a modern tactical feel. For the length — shorter for a compact, easy-to-handle piece, standard for the balanced classic proportions, longer for reach and presence. For the handle — rosewood for the classic dark grain, white-wood for a lighter contrasting look, horn for a premium traditional finish, micarta for maximum durability. For the scabbard — black or brown for tradition, a colour for character. For engraving — text for names and mottos, the upload option for logos, crests and photos. And if none of it fits exactly what you have in mind, the Custom Forge is always open.
Explore More About Everest Forge
> Request Custom Forge | Build Your Blade From Scratch
> Personalised Blades | Engraving & Custom Work Examples
> Our Craftsmanship | The Art of Hand-Forged Blades
> The Making | How Every Blade is Hand-Forged in Nepal
> Meet the Maker | The Blacksmiths of Everest Forge
> Our Promise | Guarantee, Warranty & Returns
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all products offer all of these options?
No. The options vary by product depending on the design and tradition behind each blade. Some pieces offer all five — finish, length, handle, scabbard and engraving — while others offer fewer. Always check the dropdowns below the price on the specific product page to see exactly what that blade offers.
Which blade finish is easiest to maintain?
Satin and raw forge hide handling marks best because their textured surfaces blend small scratches in. Black coated needs the least day-to-day attention thanks to its protective coating. Mirror polish shows the most fingerprints and fine marks, so it rewards careful handling. All of our blades are high-carbon steel, so a light wipe of oil now and then keeps any finish in good condition.
Which finish looks the most historical or authentic?
The raw / forge finish. It keeps the dark, hammered, just-off-the-anvil surface with forge scale and hammer marks intact, so it has the most hand-made, period-correct character. No two raw-forged blades look exactly alike.
Is engraving really free?
Yes. Free text engraving — names, initials, dates, mottos and lettering — is included in the price. The custom logo and photo upload option, where you send your own image to be engraved, is also included. Both are hand-applied during finishing.
Will changing the finish or length change the price?
It can. Some options adjust the price up or down — for example, a longer blade often adds to the price and a shorter one may reduce it. The exact change is shown right inside the dropdown next to each option, so you always see the effect before adding to cart.
Can I change my options after I have ordered?
If forging has not started yet, usually yes — contact us as soon as possible with your order details. Because every blade is made to order, changes are easiest in the short window before your piece enters the forge.
What if I want an option that is not listed?
That is what our Custom Forge service is for. If you want a blade shape, length, handle, or design that the product options do not cover, submit your idea through the Custom Forge and we build it to your specification from scratch.
Which handle material is the most durable?
Micarta is the toughest and most low-maintenance, gripping well wet or dry. Rosewood is a dense hardwood that is very durable and ages beautifully. Buffalo horn is a premium traditional material with a smooth polished finish. All handles are full-tang and hand-riveted whatever the material.
How long does customisation add to delivery?
Because every blade is forged to order, production typically takes a few weeks, with the exact timeline depending on the design and the complexity of any engraving. The product page and your order confirmation give the current estimate. Custom Forge commissions take longer and are quoted individually.
Can I see examples of engraving before I order?
Yes. Our personalised blades page shows examples of past engraving work — text, lettering, crests, logos and photo engraving — so you can see the quality and range before deciding what to put on your blade.