About Koster Hand-Forged Knives, LLC
Steven C. Koster is a Master BladeSmith (M.S.) with
the American Bladesmith Society (ABS ) and has been a member since the early 1990's. While living in CA, he was a Board member of the California Knifemaker's Association and served as show Chairman for the California Knife Expo in Brea, CA for a number of years.
Steve is a retired Commercial Electrician who worked in Southern CA for 30 years and when he retired in October 2016 moved back to his hometown of Sandpoint, ID with his wife Liz. They have two children, son Douglas (who is also a knifemaker) and daughter Natalie.
Born in northern California, Steve grew up in Sandpoint where he spent almost all of his time outdoors; fishing, hunting, camping, trapping, and climbing. Steve started making knives in 1987 and was a part-time maker until his retirement in 2016. He enjoys teaching and mentoring aspiring knife maker's thru hosting hammer-in's and plans to continue these every other year.
Steve's work can be seen at several shows throughout the year including; The Blade Show Texas in Fort Worth, The California Knife Expo in Brea, Ca, and occasionally at The Solvang Custom Knife Show in Solvang, CA, and Blade Show West in Salt Lake City, UT.
Awards & Recognition
1993 Knife Expo (Pasadena, CA): Best Amateur Knifemaker
2009 Knife Expo (Pasadena, CA): President's Award
2011 Knife Expo (Pasadena, CA): Best Fixed Blade
2012 Knife Expo (Pasadena, CA): Best Damascus Knife, Best Bowie & Best Hand Forged
2013 Knife Expo (Pasadena, CA): Best Damascus Knife
2013 ABS Knife Exposition (San Antonio, TX): Best Damascus
2014 Knife Expo (Pasadena, CA): Best Damascus Knife & Best Bowie
2016 Knife Expo (Pasadena, CA): Best in SHOW
2019 Spring Knife Show (Brea, CA): Best Damascus & Best Bowie/Fighter
2019 OKCA Knife Show (Eugene, OR): Best Hand-Forged Knife
2019 IKA Knife Show (Boise, ID): Best Bowie Knife
2020 California Knifemaker's Association Show (Brea, CA): Best Damascus Knife & Best Bowie Knife
2022 BLADE Show TX (FT. Worth, TX): Best Kitchen Knife
2024 California Knifemakers Association Show (Brea, CA): Best Bowie/Fighter & Best Folder
American Bladesmith Society (ABS): Master Smith designation - April 11, 2021
ABS Master Smith Test Knives - April 2021
Knife Styles
Chef / Kitchen Knives
Chef / Kitchen Knives
Chef / Kitchen Knives
Chef & kitchen knives are made of a variety of metals; i.e., 1080/15N20 forged Damascus and various types of high-quality stainless steel. They are perfect for slicing, dicing, and chopping all types of ingredients. Handle materials can vary, but are mostly high quality, stabilized woods.
Hunters
Chef / Kitchen Knives
Chef / Kitchen Knives
Hunter blades are made of a variety of metals, i.e., 1080/15N20 forged Damascus and various types of high-quality stainless steel and a variety of handle materials.
Bowie Knives
Chef / Kitchen Knives
Folding Knives
Bowie knives are one of my favorite knife styles. I use a variety of metals, i.e., 1080/15N20 forged Damascus and various types of high-quality stainless steel and a variety of handle materials.
Folding Knives
Other Items of Interest
Folding Knives
Folding knife blade materials vary from pattern welded 1080/15N20 Damascus, stainless steel, or carbon steel. Virtually all include some file work and premium handle materials.
Fishing Knives
Other Items of Interest
Other Items of Interest
Fishing knife blades are made from various types of high quality stainless steel and I use a variety of G-10 handle materials.
Other Items of Interest
Other Items of Interest
Other Items of Interest
Other items of interest include: Walking Sticks, Axes, Pizza Cutters, Friction folders...
Folding Knife Gallery
Bowie, Hunter & Fighter Gallery
Kitchen Knife Gallery
Fishing Knife Gallery
Other Items of Interest
Forged in Fire - Season 6, Episode 7
What a great experience it was to compete in the 1st & 2nd Challenge, making it to the finale, then forging & finishing this blade in 45 hours. Shout out to my fellow competitors; Jon Medlin, Joe Nipper & Brad Richardson. They are great guys and I'm proud to call them friends.
My Javanese Kris is a forged Damascus blade, 1080/15N20 steel, 25 layers all forged to shape, heat treated and tempered at 450 degrees. The handle is stabilized Koa wood, with a sterling
silver collar and 6 inlaid Garnet stones.
The Javanese Kris has subtle hidden meanings in the blade and handle. The shape of the blade represents a snake, at the base near the guard is a forged elephant trunk, which gives the blade strength. On the spine of the blade near the guard are the claws of a tiger. The handle is striped Koa wood, symbolizing the stripes on the Javanese Tiger. The six Garnets inlaid in the silver collar signify good
health and well being for the holder of the knife.
Contact Information
Koster Hand-Forged Knives, LLC
Email: kosterknives@verizon.net
Phone: 714-907-7250
For inquiries about available knives or custom knives, feel free to reach out.
Sandpoint, ID, USA
