General FAQ – Everest Forge

1. Do I need an account to place an order?

No. You can checkout as a guest. Creating an account is optional but lets you track your order history, save your shipping details, and receive updates on new releases and special offers.

2. Are your blades in stock or made to order?

Most blades are made to order. We do not mass-produce or hold large inventory — each piece is individually hand-forged after you place your order to maintain consistent quality. Some blades may ship from finished stock if available; this is noted on the product page.

3. Are the product specifications accurate?

Yes. We provide accurate length, weight, and dimension specifications for every product. Because each blade is hand-forged, small natural variations of approximately +/- 5% on listed measurements may occur. These small differences are part of authentic hand-forging — not defects.

4. Can I cancel my order after placing it?

Standard orders can be cancelled within 24 hours of placement, before forging begins. Personalized and custom-forge orders cannot be cancelled once forging has started. Contact us as soon as possible if you need to cancel.

5. How will I know my order has been received?

You will receive an automatic order confirmation email immediately after payment. If you don't see it, check your spam folder. If still missing, contact us with your name and approximate order time and we'll verify.

6. What payment methods do you accept?

We accept all major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover), PayPal, Stripe, and selected international payment methods. Payment is processed at the time of order through our secure, PCI-compliant gateway with 256-bit SSL. Full security details on our Secure Shopping page.

7. Which couriers do you use to ship?

We ship worldwide via DHL Express and FedEx International Priority. Both offer full tracking, signature on delivery, and worldwide coverage. We choose the courier that provides the fastest, safest route to your country.

8. How long will it take to receive my order?

Total typical timeline is 8–15 business days. Forging and processing in our Kathmandu workshop takes 3–5 business days. DHL or FedEx delivery takes another 5–10 business days depending on your country and customs clearance. Custom and personalized orders take longer — exact lead time is confirmed at the time of order.

9. Do you ship to the USA, UK, Europe, Australia, and Canada?

Yes. We ship worldwide, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, Australia, Italy, Spain, Ireland, Poland, Japan, and across the European Union. For full shipping details, see our Shipping & Returns page.

10. How much does shipping cost?

Shipping is calculated at checkout based on your country, package weight, and dimensions. DHL and FedEx rates are passed through at cost — we do not mark up shipping. The exact cost is shown before you complete payment.

11. Will I have to pay customs duties or import taxes?

International orders may be subject to customs duties, VAT, GST, or import taxes charged by your country's customs authority on arrival. These charges are not included in your order total — they are paid directly by you to your local customs or courier when the package clears customs. The amount depends on your country's import rules. Please check local customs rules before ordering.

12. Can I track my order?

Yes. A tracking number is emailed to you the same day your package leaves our forge. Track your shipment in real time on the DHL Express or FedEx website using the number provided.

13. What is your return policy?

We accept returns within 30 days of delivery for unused items in original condition. Custom and personalized blades are non-returnable as they are forged to your exact specification. Return shipping is paid by the buyer unless the return is due to our error. Full details on our Warranty & Returns Policy page.

14. What if my blade arrives damaged?

Email [email protected] within 7 days of delivery with your order number and clear photos of the damage. We'll arrange a free replacement, refund, or repair — whichever you prefer.

15. Do you offer a warranty on your blades?

Yes. All Everest Forge blades come with a 6-month limited warranty against manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship. Damage caused by misuse, impacts with metal/stone/concrete, improper sharpening, or neglect is not covered. Full warranty details on our Warranty & Returns Policy page.

16. How long do refunds take?

Refunds are processed to the original payment method within 5–10 business days of receipt and inspection of the returned item. Bank processing times vary depending on your card issuer.

17. Do you offer wholesale or bulk orders?

Yes. We welcome wholesale and bulk orders for retailers, dealers, distributors, knife shops, martial arts schools, and reenactment groups. Volume pricing applies to orders of ten blanks or finished pieces. Contact us with your requirements for special pricing, lead times, and shipping arrangements.

18. What steel are Everest Forge blades made from?

Our standard steel is 5160 high carbon spring steel — the same steel used in vehicle leaf springs, chosen for its excellent toughness, edge retention, and resilience. For custom orders we also work with 1095, 1075, and O1 tool steel on request. All blades are oil-tempered for durability.

19. What handle materials do you use?

Our standard handles are made from rosewood, buffalo horn, whitewood, or bone — chosen for grip, durability, and traditional aesthetic. Custom handle materials including micarta, G10, stag horn, ironwood, and exotic timbers are available on request through our Custom Forge service.

20. How are your blades forged?

Every blade is hand-forged from raw steel using primitive Nepalese blacksmithing techniques — the same methods our family has used for generations. The full process from raw billet to finished blade is shown step-by-step on The Making page. You can also see our master blacksmiths on our Meet the Maker page.

21. Are Everest Forge blades sharpened and ready to use?

Yes. Our blades are sharpened to a working edge and fully functional out of the box. They are designed for real chopping, cutting, bushcraft, hunting, martial arts, and survival use — not just display. If you require a blunt or training version of any blade, mention this in your order notes or contact us — we forge training versions of any blade at no extra charge.

22. Are your blades for real use or just for display?

Working tools first, collectibles second. Every Everest Forge blade is built to be used — chopped with, carried, sharpened, sheathed, and passed down. They look excellent on display, but their primary purpose is real-world performance.

23. How sharp are the blades?

Sharp enough to shave hair on most blades. Working edges — not razor-thin display polish. Designed to hold an edge through real cutting, chopping, and field use, then be re-sharpened as needed.

24. What is "battle-ready" and are your blades battle-ready?

"Battle-ready" means the blade is forged from real high-carbon steel, properly heat-treated, full-tang, and structurally sound enough to survive impact and stress. Yes — every Everest Forge sword and combat blade is battle-ready. They are not stainless wall-hangers.

25. Do you make custom blades?

Yes — custom forging is one of our specialties. You can provide drawings, photographs, historical references, or your own original design and we will work with you to forge a fully functional bespoke blade. Visit our Custom Forge page or contact us to discuss your project.

26. Can I get my blade engraved or personalized?

Yes. We engrave names, initials, dates, military mottos, regimental crests, family crests, runes, religious symbols, and custom logos on the blade, handle, or scabbard. Standard text and logo engraving is included at no extra charge. Bespoke artwork or ceremonial inlay is quoted separately. Full details on our Personalized Blades page.

27. Can I order matching sets or pairs?

Yes. We forge matching pairs, themed sets, and combinations — sword and dagger combinations, paired kukris, family heirloom sets, and themed display collections. Tell us what you have in mind and we'll quote and confirm before forging.

28. Can I order a blank blade (no handle, no scabbard)?

Yes. Any blade in our range can be supplied as a forged blank for makers, custom hilt builders, leatherworkers, and bladesmiths. Full details on our Blank Blades page.

29. Can I order a training (blunt) version of a blade?

Yes. Any sword, kukri, machete, dagger, or knife can be forged with a blunt training edge for HEMA, martial arts schools, stage combat, and reenactment. Same blade, same steel, same construction — just no working edge. No extra charge.

30. How do I care for my blade?

After every use, wipe the blade clean and dry — remove any moisture, sap, or debris. Apply a thin coat of light oil (mineral oil, camellia oil, or 3-in-1 oil) to the blade before storing. Store in a dry environment away from humidity. Avoid long-term storage inside a leather sheath, as leather can retain moisture and accelerate rust.

31. How should I look after wooden or horn handles?

Wooden and horn handles benefit from occasional conditioning with natural oils (linseed, tung, or walnut oil) or beeswax. Apply sparingly, let absorb, wipe excess. Keep handles away from prolonged water exposure and extreme heat — both can cause drying, cracking, or shrinkage.

32. My blade has surface rust spots. What do I do?

Light surface rust on high-carbon steel is normal and easily removed. Use very fine steel wool (#0000 grade) or a soft brass brush with a few drops of oil. Rub gently along the blade until the rust lifts. Wipe clean and re-oil. Deeper rust can be removed with a fine sandpaper or a metal polish — contact us if you'd like guidance.

33. How do I sharpen my blade?

Use a quality whetstone (1000-grit for working edges, 3000+ for fine finishing) or a sharpening rod. Match the existing edge angle — usually 20–25 degrees per side for a working blade. Use light, consistent strokes. Avoid power grinders unless you know what you're doing — they can overheat the steel and ruin the temper.

34. Do you offer gift packaging or a gift note?

Yes. We can include a personalized note and simple gift packaging on request — just mention it in your order notes or message us after ordering.

35. Do you ship blades everywhere in the world?

We ship to most countries worldwide. However, some countries and regions restrict the import, sale, or possession of certain blade types — for example, fixed-blade knives over a certain length, or specific historical patterns. It is the buyer's responsibility to check local import laws before ordering. If you're unsure, contact us and we'll help where we can.

36. Are Everest Forge blades legal to own?

Laws vary widely between countries, states, and even cities. In most places, owning a blade for collection, display, household, or working use is legal — but carrying one in public may be restricted by length, type, or context. It is your responsibility to confirm local laws before purchasing. We do not give legal advice about your jurisdiction.

37. What if my package is held at customs?

Customs clearance times vary by country. We declare the actual purchase value on every shipment as required by international shipping law. If your package is held in customs, contact your local customs office or courier with your tracking number. Everest Forge is not liable for delays caused by customs processing or for blades seized by customs due to local restrictions.

38. Will my package be marked as a "knife" or "blade" on the customs declaration?

Yes. We are legally required to declare contents accurately on customs paperwork. We use general descriptions like "hand-forged tool" or "hand-forged blade" as appropriate. We do not under-declare value or misdescribe contents — doing so puts both us and the buyer at legal risk.

39. I'm in a country with strict knife laws. Can you still ship to me?

Possibly — but you must check your country's specific rules first. Australia, parts of the EU, and the UK have specific restrictions on certain blade types. Some require a permit or have age verification rules. Contact us with your country and the blade you're interested in — we can advise on what we can and can't ship.