FAQ - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How can I buy your knife? Do I need to register on the website?
Registration is convenient and has a number of advantages, but it is not required. If you do not want to register and fill out the form, you can buy the product as a "guest", or simply write to us at INFO@NAVAJA.EU, and we will discuss all the details of the purchase by e-mail.
What countries do you ship to?
We ship worldwide. Mainly we use Latvian Post Registered Mail with (requires signature) with tracking. But, by agreement with the buyer, we can send via EMS, FEDEX, DHL, etc.
What's your location? Where are you shipping from?
Our workshop is located in Riga (Latvia, EU), and all parcels are sent from Riga.,
What payment methods do you accept?
We currently accept Bank transfers, Paypal and Western Union, Master, VISA and American Express credit cards.
In What Currency are the Prices on the Website?
Our prices are listed in EURO (EUR€).
Where are your products manufactured?
All our knives are 100% made and assembled only in our workshop in Riga, Latvia. We buy steel for our knives in Thiers, France, in the most known French historical center of knife making.
How are your historical folding knives different from their counterparts made by other artisans?
If we consider the issue from the technical side, then we use more reliable and durable construction. So, for example, we use blade axes with a thickness of 4mm, sometimes even hardened to 54-55 HRC, instead of the traditional 2.4mm from raw steel, or from non-hardenable 430 st. steel. In addition, instead of the traditional brass liners, we use French stainless X46Cr13 (analogue - 1.4034 or 420mov), hardened to 50-52 HRC, or Titanium. Also, we do not use a machine blade finish, but a hand longitudinal sanding only.
Can your knives be easy disassembled?
No, we are not currently using a screw assembly. All our knives are riveted according to traditional technology
How do I know that the knife that i like is available?
Finished handmade knives that are on sale, have the status "Available". The rest of the custom models have the "On order" status. But since we advertise our finished handmade knives on several other sites on the Internet, we do not always have time to quickly change the status, when a knife is sold through another store. Especially when the purchase occurs at night. Therefore, it is always better to check the availability of a knife before buying by e-mail : INFO@NAVAJA.EU
What should i do if the knife that i like has "To order" status?
Just contact us at: INFO@NAVAJA.EU and we`ll explain all the details, terms and conditions
Can you make a custom historical folding knife that I found on the internet?
Sure. Just send us a photo to: INFO@NAVAJA.EU. But only on the condition that this knife is made according to traditional technologies, riveted, and using traditional materials for the handle scales (wood, horn, etc.) as well.
Why do you often use silver coins for inlay?
This is the "corporate identity" of our workshop. These navaja knives with the silver coins inlaid in the handle, known as "Isabelina" or "aristocratica", were very popular in Spain in the middle/second half of the 19th century. Well, and besides, it just looks good.
Why do you use so much manual work when there are modern CNC machines, screws for assembly, modern handle materials?
Firstly, here in Dionisio Zapatero workshop, we believe that it is incorrect and unethical to use machine technology on products that are positioned as "handmade knives". Secondly, we make replicas of historical knives, so we use the same technologies as the masters of the past. Well, and thirdly, a high percentage of time-consuming manual work is a certain guarantee against counterfeits. Even the most expensive knives, made on modern CNC machines and using the most modern technologies, can be easily repeated in any factory equipped with these machines. This is constantly proved by Chinese manufacturers who make exact copies of expensive European and American brands worth 10-15% of their price. The larger the share of unique hand work , the more difficult it is to repeat the knife.
That`s why we do not even use laser engraving, and engrave by hand only. We don't use templates - that's why you won`t find two identical Dionisio Zapatero knives. We are often asked to send drawings of our knives. But we have nor drawings, neither sketches - the knife is drawn by hand directly on the steel. Often the design of our knife is an improvisation, and various elements and ideas are born right in the process.
Why did you call your brand name - DIONISIO ZAPATERO?
This is the name of the founder of the workshop - "Denis Cherevichnik", just Spanishized: translated into Spanish and sounding in the Spanish manner. First of all, that i s tribute to the legendary Spanish manufactories, as Albacete, Toledo, etc. In addition, we continue the tradition of French bladesmiths from Thiers: in the second half of the 19th century, they founded several brands with Spanish-sounding names, intended for the Spanish market. Among the most famous are: "Valero Jun, Zaragoza", "Haudeville en Albacette", "Navajas de Toledo", "Toledo".
Why do you use liners from hardened steel?
Of course, it is more easier, faster and cheaper to make liners from brass, non-hardened steel or any other soft metal. But if you plan to disassemble your traditional riveted knife for further customization, blade or spring replacement etc., the most soft metal liners will not survive it. Also, hardened liners help to strengthen the axis area and the other most critical parts of the folding knife. Since the liners are the backbone of a folding knife, we attach special importance to their strength.
How long does it take to make a custom knife?
Usually from 2 to 4 weeks.