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 email me at INFO@NAVAJA.EU, and we will discuss all the details.
What countries do you ship to?
I ship worldwide. Mainly i use Latvian Post Registered Mail with tracking. But, by agreement with the buyer, i can send via EMS, FEDEX, DHL, as well.
What's your location? Where are you shipping from?
As I haven't found a suitable place in Sheffield yet, I'm still making knives in Riga. and all parcels are sent from Riga (Latvia). Accordingly, the shipment is made from Riga.
What payment methods do you accept?
Currently i accept Bank transfers, Master, VISA and American Express credit cards.
In which currency are the prices listed in your store?
All my prices are listed in EURO (EUR€).
Where are your products manufactured?
All my knives are 100% made and assembled in-house - by myself in my workshop in Riga, Latvia. For many years i`m buying steel for my knives exclusively 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 this issue from a technical perspective, then i use more reliable and durable construction. So, for example, i use blade axes with a thickness of 4mm, instead of the traditional for Mediterranean knifemakers 2.4mm. In addition, instead of the traditional brass liners, i often use stainless steel 1.4034 (420MOV), hardened to 53-55 HRC, or Titanium GR5. This allows significantly strengthening crucial and responsible parts of the knife, enhancing the entire structure. Also, i do not use a machine blade finish, but a hand longitudinal sanding only.
Can your knives be easy disassembled?
Sometimes i use a partial screw assembly. But most my knives usually 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". If the knife is sold, it is marked as "Sold out". But since i own a few more stores, i simply 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 "Sold out" status?
Just contact me at: INFO@NAVAJA.EU and we will discuss how to order the same or the similar one.
Can you make a custom folding knife that I found on the internet?
Sure. Just send me a photo, sketch, and (or) description to: INFO@NAVAJA.EU.
Why do you often use silver coins for inlay?
This is the "corporate identity" of my navajas. These knives inlaid with a silver coins, 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?
Firstly, i sincerely believe that it is incorrect and unethical to use too much machine processing on products that are positioned as "handmade knives". Secondly, usually i make replicas of historical folders, so, for the authenticity i use the same technologies as the knifemakers 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 garage, equipped with these machine. This is constantly proved by Chinese manufacturers who make exact copies of expensive European and American brands worth 10-15% of their price. The more manual work is involved in making a knife, the harder it is to copy and replicate the design. Although, of course, technologies are not standing still, and perhaps soon there will be a way to mimic the traces of manual work.
I don't use templates, drawings or sketches - the knife is drawn by hand directly on the steel. That's why you won`t find two identical "Dionisio Zapatero" knives. Often the design of my knives 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 just my Hispanized name: translated into Spanish and sounding in the Spanish manner. First of all, that is a tribute to the legendary historical Spanish manufactories, such as Albacete, Toledo, etc. In addition, i 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, i attach special importance to their strength.
How long does it take to make a custom knife?
Usually from 2 to 4 weeks.