About Us
Stag Steel Knives is a handmade knife shop founded in 2001 by knifemaker Naqash Minhas in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. Every blade is forged, ground, and finished by hand using Damascus steel, Copper Damascus, and D2 tool steel, paired with natural handle materials like camel bone, bullhorn, and stag antler, and the shop now works alongside partner Christopher Merrett, a hunter and 20-year knife collector.
Our Story
Stag Steel Knives started in 2001 in Fredericton, New Brunswick, with one workbench, basic tools, and a simple goal: learn to forge a proper knife by hand and do it well.
Founder Naqash Minhas spent the early years learning through trial and error. Shaping steel by hand, working out heat treatment, and yes, ruining more than a few blades along the way. Each attempt came out sharper than the last, and that slow, hands-on process is still how every knife gets made today.
Damascus steel came next, the folded, layered blades that give each knife its distinctive pattern. From there the craft moved into Copper Damascus, the Cu-Mai style blades that combine copper and layered steel, a harder process to master but one that produces a genuinely unique blade.
How We Make Our Knives
Every knife is still forged, ground, and finished largely by hand in the same Fredericton workshop where the shop began. Damascus patterns come straight out of the forge rather than a printed finish, and handles are fitted piece by piece using camel bone, bullhorn, and hardwood.
No factory line, no shortcuts. That's what separates a Stag Steel Knives blade from a mass-produced import, and it's the same standard that's guided the shop since 2001. Read more about what sets our knives apart on our Why Choose Us page.
A Growing Partnership
Stag Steel Knives now works alongside partner Christopher Merrett, a hunter with over 20 years of experience hunting across Canada, Germany, and abroad, and a lifelong knife collector. Christopher brings that field experience directly into the shop's hunting knife and Bowie knife lines, and writes many of the hunting and knife guides on our blog.
Same forge, same workshop, same standards as 2001. The partnership simply lets more people get their hands on a knife built the same way it always has been.
Gifts and Custom Work
A good number of our knives end up as gifts, for Father's Day, groomsmen, anniversaries, and similar occasions. Engraved sheaths and custom gift boxes are available for anyone who wants the presentation to match the craftsmanship.
Custom orders and engraving requests are welcome. Tell us what you're after, and we'll work with you to build it.
Our Promise
Buy good gear, and buy less of it. Every knife we make is built to last well beyond a single season or a single owner. If something isn't right when it arrives, send it back and we'll make it right, covered by our refund policy and shipping policy.
FAQ
Who founded Stag Steel Knives?
Naqash Minhas founded Stag Steel Knives in 2001 in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada, starting with basic tools and a hands-on approach to bladesmithing.
Is Stag Steel Knives based in Canada?
Yes. The shop has been based in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada, since it was founded in 2001, and every knife is still forged in that same workshop.
Who is Christopher Merrett?
Christopher Merrett is a partner at Stag Steel Knives and a hunter with over 20 years of experience across Canada, Germany, and beyond. He also writes many of the shop's hunting and knife guides.
What materials does Stag Steel Knives use?
Blades are hand-forged from Damascus steel, Copper Damascus, and D2 tool steel, while handles are made from camel bone, bullhorn, and hardwood, finished with genuine leather sheaths.
Does Stag Steel Knives offer custom or engraved knives?
Yes. Custom orders and engraving are available on request, making the knives well suited as personalized gifts.
