Route 83 Handcrafted Kitchen and BBQ Knives Made to Last
Route 83 knives are handcrafted from high quality steel and carefully selected natural handle materials. Designed for balance, comfort and lasting performance, each knife is made to be used and built to last.
Our story began generations ago in the rural prairies of central Canada.
Our story began generations ago on the Canadian prairies, where we watched our grandparents sharpen knives and forge tools from steel. That tradition continues in every Route 83 knife: quality materials, skilled craftsmanship and practical design.
Purpose built knives, individually finished from carefully selected materials.
Route 83 began on the open prairies of central Canada. The highway runs south through Manitoba, Kansas and Texas to the Mexican border, connecting farming communities with some of North America’s strongest barbecue traditions.
That practical heritage shaped our knives: original designs made for balance, durability and comfort, using quality steel and individually selected natural handle materials. They are distinctive without being showy, substantial without feeling cumbersome, and made for serious cooking.
Thoughtfully designed. Expertly handcrafted.
Route 83 knives are handcrafted by skilled craftsmen with decades of experience. Every detail—from the steel and blade shape to the balance and handle—is considered for performance, comfort and lasting quality.
Route 83 blades are original designs, developed for a specific purpose. Each knife is individually crafted and finished using carefully selected, high-quality materials. The result is a distinctive, refined tool made to perform and built to last.
Our designs were refined through numerous prototypes and tested by experienced chefs and barbecue professionals. Their feedback helped us develop well-proportioned knives with generous handles, balanced weight and a lighter feel, providing strength, comfort and control in the hand.
Every Route 83 knife is made to consistent standards of construction, balance and finish. The natural variation is limited to the colour and grain of each solid hardwood handle.
The Route 83 Classic Range uses German 1.4116 stainless steel, hardened to HRC 56–58, or Japanese AUS-8 stainless steel, hardened to HRC 57–59. These steels offer a practical combination of toughness, corrosion resistance, sharpness and straightforward maintenance. The Route 83 Signature Range uses layered Japanese VG-10 Damascus steel, hardened to HRC 58–60 and recognised by the distinctive flowing pattern across each blade. Each steel is selected and heat-treated to suit the knife’s design and intended use.
Route 83 blades are heat-treated to achieve a considered balance of sharpness, edge retention and durability. Rather than simply pursuing the highest possible HRC rating, we use a practical hardness suited to each steel and knife design. This allows the blade to take and hold a sharp edge while remaining durable in everyday use.
Hand-hammered detailing gives each blade added character while helping food release during slicing and chopping.
Every handle is shaped and finished by hand using carefully selected natural wood or naturally shed antler. Natural differences in colour, grain and texture make each handle distinctive, while the same high standards of craftsmanship and finish are maintained across every knife. With use, the handle develops a subtle patina unique to its owner.
Each knife is presented in a solid-wood storage box or a carefully finished wood presentation box. It is a considered final detail for a knife designed to be used and made to last.
The Complete knife matters
A knife’s quality cannot be judged by steel grade alone. Heat treatment, blade geometry, hardness, construction, balance, handle materials and final finishing all affect how it performs and feels. Route 83 considers these elements together to produce durable, well-balanced knives made for regular use.
German 1.4116 and Japanese AUS-8 are proven stainless knife steels selected for toughness, corrosion resistance and straightforward sharpening. Route 83 hardens them to HRC 56–58 and HRC 57–59 respectively, providing a practical balance between edge retention and durability.
Blade construction and finishing standards remain consistent. Natural variation in the wood gives each handle its individual grain and colour.
Route 83 combines extensive hand-finishing, substantial construction and carefully selected natural materials at prices comparable with many premium mass-produced knives.
What Owners Say
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“Best knife we ever purchased. Use Route 83 Chef knife daily.” — @sllaninga
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“I love my Route 83 knives… they go perfectly with BBQ!” — @smokewagoncharhouse
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“I love all of my Route 83 knives.” — @captainroncooks
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“These knives rock.” — @brad_thatbbqguy
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“I love your knives and axes.” — @shanemarchscooter
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“This is such a great knife!” — @beadianed
Designed with Moe Cason
Moe Cason’s Route 83 knives were developed with Moe, not simply endorsed by him. We worked through multiple prototypes, refining the blade dimensions, weight, balance and handle shape until he was satisfied with how each knife performed.
Moe continues to use his Route 83 knives at barbecue events and demonstrations around the world. His practical experience as a pitmaster helped shape knives designed for real preparation, carving and barbecue work.