Engineering
I design DARREL RALPH knives to be the most functional custom knives money can buy. This is done by focusing on these three areas:

FUNCTION :: The principle that FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION guides all our work. However you use a Darrel Ralph knife- in lifesaving, combat, or daily chores - we build it to work perfectly for you.

PRECISION :: Our knives open like magic and lock like bank vaults. We make this happen by employing precision construction techniques throughout the entire build.

HIGH QUALITY :: What we put in our knives determines what you get out of them. We put in only the best materials so that you can get the best performance out of your knife.

Materials
We use the finest materials we can find to build knives. What we can't find, we make ourselves.

BLADE STEEL :: In all my years making tactical knives, I've never found anything better than these blade materials. But that doesn't mean I've settled. We are working with specialty steel producers to develop a new alloy that may outperform even these superstars. Keep your eye out for it at my shows.

S30V® :: This alloy is currently the ultimate choice for extreme duty knives. Powder metallurgy and tight production controls yield a strong, durable stainless steel edge.

MIKE NORRIS STAINLESS DAMASCUS :: High performance, high quality and killer looks make Mike's Damascus my only choice.

STELLITE 6K® :: No other material takes such a keen slicing edge. Corrosion-proof and easy to sharpen, it's the ultimate blade material for flesh-cutting knives.

HANDLE MATERIALS :: Handles for modern knives can be made of almost any strong, durable materials, so we use the best ones. You can select any handle material you like for a Darrel Ralph knife and we'll work to make it all your own. Some of our most common choices are:

ANCIENT IVORY :: Walrus, Mammoth or Mastadon - this dense material has a natural beauty in colors that seem like they were intended for custom knife handles.

MOTHER-OF-PEARL :: Gold-Lip, Black-Lip and White-Lip designed by the Creator with an irridescent beuty like nothing else on Earth.

IRONWOOD and SNAKEWOOD:: These are the chief exotic hardwoods we use for character and timeless beauty. If you want another hardwood inlay, just ask.

CARBON FIBER and G10 :: These modern synthetic materials are light and strong with a perfect tactical look.

DAMASCUS :: I've made carved Titanium frames for years, but going several steps beyond what has been done before is what drives me in this business. Please see my NEW DESIGNS page for examples of the original 3D damascus carvings we do now.

Components
We make 95% of our folder parts and components here in our shop. The other 5%, such as thumbers, pivots and screws, we buy from suppliers who we know have the best quality control. We can be sure of their quality controls, because we make those here in our shop, too. Few people know that I designed many of the modern folder-making components that knifemaking supply houses sell in their catalogs. And in many cases, we contract to produce these components in our shop.

Family Business
My son, Ryan Bailey, came into my shop in 2001 to do routine chores like sawing out parts and runnning machinery. He thrived in this environment and soon discovered a passion for modern knifemaking as strong as my own. In 2005 he finished his four-year knifemaking apprenticeship and now works with me every day on Darrel Ralph knives. I'm very proud of him and his work, so much so that his initials are now stamped alongside mine on every Darrel Ralph knife. He now attends all the knife shows with me and he is someone you want to meet if you are interested in our knives.

2005 LOGO: This is the Darrel Ralph brand. Without this logo affixed, the authenticity of your Darrel Ralph knife cannot be guaranteed. Our new stamp, DDR\RPB, is updated for the 21st-century as shown. Look for many new designs and innovations to come as we continue to take modern knifemaking to new heights.