Top 6 Knife Brands Using Richlite Knife Handles in 2025
- Ciana
- Sep 10
- 4 min read
Since 1943, Richlite has been trusted across a wide range of applications, including knife making. Its unique benefits of durability, antimicrobial properties, through-color consistency, and ability to be milled or molded into custom shapes make it a natural choice for craftsmen creating custom cutlery.
Below are some of our favorite companies using Richlite today, from tactical to hunting to culinary knives. We’re proud to collaborate with these makers and look forward to supporting the next generation of knife makers as more discover the strength and versatility of Richlite for their craft.
8 Benefits of Using Richlite for Knife Handles
Durability: Withstand heavy use without warping, cracking, or splitting.
Water Resistance: Naturally resists moisture, making it ideal for kitchens and outdoors.
Grip & Comfort: Warm, smooth feel with excellent hand traction.
Low Maintenance: Easy to clean, doesn’t require oiling or sealing.
Sustainable: Made from recycled paper and resin, an eco-friendly alternative to exotic woods.
Design Versatility: Available in a variety of colors and patterns to match any aesthetic.
Stability: Won’t shrink, swell, or delaminate with temperature and humidity changes.
Proven Performance: Trusted by professional chefs, outdoor enthusiasts, and custom makers worldwide.
Best 6 Knife Brands Using Richlite
Founded in 1987 in Oregon City, Oregon, Benchmade Knife Company has grown from a small machine shop into a world-class manufacturer led by the DeAsis family. Known for its innovation and design, Benchmade crafts high-quality blades with customizable handles and engraving for tactical, everyday carry, and outdoor markets.
Their LifeSharp® service guarantees free sharpening for the lifetime of your knife, returning it to its original factory edge—ensuring lasting performance for years to come.
Honorable Benchmade Mentions
Kizer is next on our list as one of the largest global knife brands, founded in 2013 as a premier Chinese manufacturer. Their mission was to challenge perceptions of Chinese cutlery by showcasing innovation and competing with top global makers.
After proving their design and finishing expertise, Kizer has continued to expand through partnerships worldwide—from small-town Iowa, USA, to Söderfors, Sweden. Today, their strong emphasis on social and environmental sustainability remains at the core of every creation.
Honorable Kizer Mentions
At Buck, “ingenuity runs in the family.” Since 1902, this fourth-generation family company has crafted heritage-inspired knives engineered with the perfect balance of stainless-steel strength and performance.
Today, they manufacture out of their Post Falls factory, continuing to honor founders Hoyt and Al Buck with an enduring commitment to innovation. The Buck family also stands firmly behind their Forever Warranty, guaranteeing every knife for life against defects in material and workmanship.
Honorable Buck Knives Mentions
Artisan Revere, founded in 2019 in Idaho, U.S.A., has been redefining high-end kitchen knives with minimalist designs built for durability and sustainability, using Swedish Elmax® 3rd-generation particle steel. Backed by a 10,000-cuts guarantee, or your money back, these knives deliver exceptional performance and effortless precision.
Designed for both elite chefs and home cooks, Artisan Revere knives feature ergonomic shapes that fit the hand comfortably, reducing the pressure needed to cut through meats and legumes with scalpel-like accuracy. The brand also incorporates Richlite handles, made from 65% recycled wood pulp, available in colors ranging from burgundy and cobalt to maple and midnight.
Honorable Artisan Revere Mentions
Hogue is a family-run business rooted in traditional American values, producing high-quality products ranging from specialty handgun grips to long gun stocks, knife accessories, and gear. Founded in 1968 by Guy Hogue, the company has built a legacy of innovation and craftsmanship.
Today, the next generation of the Hogue family continues to deliver premium, American-made knifewear for law enforcement, handgun manufacturers, competitive shooters, and firearm enthusiasts – honoring their heritage with meticulous attention to detail in every product.
Honorable Hogue Knives Mentions
Homegrown in Puyallup, WA, Showalter Smithing is run by husband-and-wife team Ashlee and Steve Showalter. Their mission is to craft high-quality, multi-use knives designed for cutting, cooking, and exploring. Each handcrafted knife is built to last a lifetime and beyond.
Made from high-carbon steel that is heat-treated in-house and paired with stabilized classic woods, these knives are engineered to perform reliably in any climate or activity.
The Future of Knife Making
Richlite is honored to collaborate with these remarkable companies, celebrating their craftsmanship, bladesmithing skills, and lineage. We look forward to many more years of working together to create tactile, dependable, heirloom-quality pieces using USA-made Richlite.
Discover more of our knifemakers’ work on Instagram by following us and exploring the tagged accounts for truly inspiring craftsmanship.
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