Lucio DiBon
Very few knives make it out of Italy without the hand of Lucio DiBon touching it. Lucio owns “DiBon & Centazzo” a materials procurement company. All knifemakers in Italy and beyond know Lucio and his company and most use his materials in the assembly of their creations. I want to say more about Mr. DiBon but wouldnt know where to begin and more to the point……where to end. Rest assured the knives in your collection and that you see here have origins beginning with Lucio DiBon!
Lelle Floris
Lelle Floris is a Sardinian artisan living in Ghilarza. He is of the 3rd generation of a family deeply rooted in knifemaking who are well known in Sardegna. He started building knives at an early age with a preference for building switchblades, stilettos and old historical interpretations, both Italian and Spanish from different eras of the last 2 centuries.
The creations of these knives is the result of meticulous study of the originals relating to their size, materials and weight along with their construction processes. All aspects faithfully reflect what was done by the artisans of that time period.
He prefers carbon steel for the blade in order to have the distinctive patina of antiquity that is formed over time. For the handles, only natural materials are utilized such as bone, horns, ivory and wood.
The use of machinery is limited to a drill press and a select few others. The rest of his work is performed manually using hand tools. In closing, each creation is unique and his knives are sought after worldwide!!
Gianmario Fogarizzu
Gianmario Fogarizzu, a skillful 4th generation knifemaker carries on the distinctive knifemaking art of the famous Fogarizzu family of Pattada, a small town in Sardegna with ancient traditions and historically for the typical production of Pattadese jack knives. His father Boiteddu, celebrated for the beauty and precision of his artisanal knives, received many international awards. Gianmario learned the techniques and secrets of the trade when he was very young, by keenly observing his fathers work and thus developing, in turn, a genuine and whole-hearted passion for the family craft. The excellent aesthetics satisfy in full the charecteritics that an artisanal knife must have to be considered a success. Indeed in Gianmarios knives, the selected materials and the perfect mechanical features add to the knives beauty and aesthetic originality. Every single resorza Gianmario creates is a unique work, the result of a creative process that combines technical virtuosity with renewed artistic and experimental commitment. Thanks to this experimental approach, his production is in line with the contemporary context, albeit with a solid base rooted in tradition. He participates in the main local and international events and exhibitions of the sector, with a world renowned production of knives.
Gianmario is president of the C.S.C. The Corporazione Sarda Coltellinai. The sardinian knifemakers guild.
I’d like to add a footnote to this narrative. I know this man personally and am proud to call him a friend!!
Luigi Guerra
Luigi Guerra lives in Modena Italy and by trade is a mechanical engineer. Building knives is his passion and has been doing so for the past 20 years. He creates on average 2 knives a month and does not build in series. Each of Ligis knives are 1 of a kind creations and are built 1 knife at a time. He has designed his own locking systems which are both unique and effective!
It is important to note that Luigis knives are made strictly by hand and according to tradition….. 1 knife at a time. Luigis knives are definately in the upper end of the spectrum!
Fulvio Mulas
Fulvio was born on July 13th 1982. He began his artistic career as a tattoo artist in 2008. Fulvio began his knifemaking career as a collector and enthusiast. He began to study and build his first knives in 2020, specializing in the Roman knife and all its nuances!
Salvatore Mura
Salvatore Mura is from Ussassai Sardinia Italy. Sal belongs to a family of blacksmiths and builds traditional Sardinian knives. He prefers natural materials such as horn, ivory, and briars. For the blade he utilizes stainless steel and damascus.
He is a master of his craft, literally! Salvatore is a certified “master”, accredited through the Corporazione Sarda Coltellinai! The Sardinian knifemakers guild. One of the many requirements a candidate must do to gain acceptance into the C.S.C. is submit 5 examples of his craft to the governing committee which then scrutinizes the entries down to the most minute details. Some of Sals knives are even in the pages of a book totled “RESORZAS”!
I have spoken with Mr. Mura, he is a man of few words and would rather have his resorzas speak for who he is and I respect that. I am proud to have Salvatore Mura’s knives on this website
Renzo Pascotto
Renzo Pascotto lives in Maniago Italy. By most he is considered the Godfather of switchblades He is over 80 years old and is in the twilight of his career. Renzo is the creator of the Batwing style swing guard switchblade. He is also responsible for the deerfoot bolster. Very little information is available on Mr. Pascotto. However I am told by more than 1 source Renzo likes his wine!!
Pierpaolo Pontis
Pierpaolo Pontis is from Sanluri Sardinia. He is 1 of the few knife carvers/engravers in all of Sardinia!
After graduating from art school he worked in the commercial sector for large companies for 30 years putting aside his artistic vein, until 1 day he proposed to a family member to do an engraving on his knife From that moment he never looked back, it was 2017 and Pierpaolo decided to leave his job to devote himself full time to what is his true passion.
Thus began the adventure in the world of the art of knife carving/engraving, a long process which, depending on the job, requires up to 50 hours of work per knife. But, as Pierpaolo explains the result is each piece being unique, a real object of his craft! The process starts with a rough draft and modifications until he arrives at the point of engraving, with the use of a microscope connected to a screen which allows him to see the subject up close and the ability to be more precise.
Pierpaolo is the story of an all around artist. It is his lifes passion which he is fortunate enough to make his profession!
Pierpaolo tells me his plans include organizing art exhibitions, not only in Sardinia and Italy but also in the main European capitals to present his works of art.
Antonio Russo
Antonio Russo is a knifemaker from Frosolone. Antonio wishes to remain as anonymous as possible and I must respect that. Antonios knives are well constructed and handmade from start to finish.
Michele Sferragatta
Michele considers himself to be a lucky man because in life hes been able to have 2 of the most beautiful jobs in the world, flying and making knives!
He is a retired airplane pilot for his countries military and is now a master knifemaker!
While seving for the military in Sardegna his 2nd passion materialized. Since a young age he has been passionate about blades, especially those born from the popular tradition in agro-pastoral activities.
In 2002 he went to a craftsman from Villacidro named Antonio Murgia, and asked him to build him 2 knives. They talked alot about how to make them and in the end Antonio said to Michele “lets build them together”. Michele thought he was joking. Antonio was not.
Thanks to Antonio, who taught him the rudiments of this craft, he was able to improve his technique and find a style, starting from the classic forms of the sardinian tradition and passing through his imagination and the research of harmony, came to the creation of artifacts that were his identity. A certain style that not everyone may like but that certainly identifies with the craftsman.
The maturation of all this culminated in 2015 when, having taken the exam to become part of the C.S.C. (Corporazione Sarda Coltellinai), the Sardinian knifemakers guild, he was admitted to the qualification of Maestro.
One day his teacher, Antonio, told him he must have a hallmark. He felt that his name Michele Sferragatta was a bit too long, so he thought his identifier in flight missions “Cormorant”, which had always brought him luck would be fine so the name ‘Cormoran” was born.
Antonino Versaci
Antonino Versaci was born January 20th 1986. Originally from SanFratello he learned from a very young age the ancient family tradition linked to the creation of the SANFRATELLANO knife, of which he represents the 3rd generation.
Over the years he broadened his horizons with historical study, field research thanks to the very last blacksmiths alive, and the creation and enhancement of many traditional Sicilian knives.
His interpretation of traditional Sicilian knives, including fighting knives that were used in real duels of honor in times gone by are both beautiful and historically correct!
