After gawking at the beauty of it for a while, I ended up using the knife last night. Absolute butter. So much different than any other knife I've used. I thought I had pretty good knife skills, but apparently I was just riding scooters. This thing is an upgrade to a Ducati. The Fordite handle is purely gorgeous and the weight and balance is amazing.

I’ve purchased three Tanzo blades from Chris—a Paragon, a Kaizen, and a Bunka-style prototype and they’ve become my daily go-to in the kitchen. Simply put, they outperform anything else I’ve owned. The edge retention is exceptional, and they’ve stayed razor-sharp from day one. I’m already looking forward to ordering another.

I feel like Chris has designed a knife made for only me. He tried to convince me on a better handle because the sample model he showed me had flaws in the handle, but after I held it I fell deeply in love with it. I wanted those flaws because they felt like 'me' not as a tool but an extension of myself. This knife has helped serve hundreds of dishes both good and bad and stood by my side as I kept improving. Just like its new owner it never gives up. The steel is top notch quality after 2 years of regular use it has never chipped on me nor has it cracked finding that good balance of western durability and Japanese sharpness. The handle has a very unique design that helps my thumbs rest comfortably for stability and comfort without even gripping the bolster when doing delicate slicing cuts for meat and other soft ingredients. Chris' knives look elegant but can be real beasts in the kitchen. The one day I might have a child, I'll pass this along as an heirloom with all the stories it's collected when it was used. This is a knife, there are many others like it, but this one is mine, this is an extension of me, this knife is me.

Building a Tanzo knife is truly a one-of-a-kind experience. The owner, Chris, went above and beyond, walking me through every step of the process. He carefully explained the different materials and offers a selection of beautiful options to choose from. He even covers the finer details like thumb placement and wood grain direction so the knife feels perfectly suited to you.

When we finally received our custom Tanzo knife, it was clear it was worth the wait! It’s an absolutely stunning piece of cutlery that immediately feels solid, refined, and built with exceptional quality.

Chris’s custom kitchen knives are nothing short of extraordinary. As a former vet, Chris brings the same dedication, precision, and craftsmanship to his blades that he did to his service—each knife is hand-forged from premium steel, expertly balanced, and finished to a mirror shine. From the moment I placed my order, Chris kept me fully informed with thoughtful updates, ensuring every detail matched my needs.

I’ve been using my knife as my go-to kitchen tool since it arrived, and it has transformed my cooking experience—slicing, dicing, and chopping feel effortless, and the blade’s razor-sharp edge stays true wash after wash. It also comes with a cool knife holder. The attention to detail in Chris’s work is evident in the flawless bevels, ergonomic handle, and perfect weight distribution.

Whether you’re a home cook looking to level up your prep game or a professional chef seeking a reliable workhorse, Chris’s knives deliver unmatched performance and beauty. I couldn’t be happier with my purchase, and I’ll definitely be back for more. Visit Chris’s website today, choose your custom blade, and elevate your kitchen arsenal.

I've been around Chris since the inception of Tanzo. To see where he started, to where he is and where he is going is amazing to watch. Each knife is uniquely hand crafted and can't be replicated but all are of high quality and forged with Chris' passion and attention to detail! Just another great addition to anyone's kitchen whether novice or professional chef. Thanks Oz!

I wanted to get my son something "different" for Christmas, and something he could hang onto for life so quality was important.  Note: my wife questioned my choice when I contacted Tanzo Cutlery to craft a unique knife for my son.  Every young man remembers his first knife, but rarely is that knife the quality he will hang onto forever.  The consultation during the process was nothing short of extraordinary.  The thought that they put into such a gift made the process perfect.  From picking the handle material to blade design I felt part of the process.  When it arrived carefully packaged I could not believe the quality, and yes they are SHARP!  You can shave with it sharp.  It turned out among all the gifts my son received this one by far meant the most.  He took it everywhere to show his friends and family, and that puts a smile on Dad's face (and even Mom's too). I can't recommend Tanzo Cutlery enough, and this will not be my last purchase!

I purchased four Tanzo Chef’s Knives last year—three for business use and one for personal—and I couldn’t be more impressed. Each knife is a one-off design, and knowing that every handle is completely unique gives each one unmatched character. That kind of craftsmanship is rare.

But I didn’t want to leave a review based on looks alone. These knives arrived razor-sharp and have remained that way even with near-daily use. I haven’t had to sharpen mine once since I got it. The performance has far surpassed my expectations.

Whether you're a professional chef or someone who simply loves to cook at home, I’d recommend Tanzo Cutlery without hesitation. They’ve truly nailed the balance between form and function.

Handmade in America by a true American craftsman. 

Thank you,

I really love the feel and balance of my Tanzo Knife while working in the kitchen.  More importantly is the fact that it looks great and several of my guest have inquired about it.  Unlike mass produced knives which look good at first, they just don't hold up (I have several that are in the bottom of one of the kitchen drawers).  I look forward to ordering another on as a gift for my brother who also likes to cook.

Upon speaking to and getting to know Chris, I decided to seek out his artwork in creating knives for both professional chefs and those who enjoy cooking. As examples were shown, I was drawn to a particular knife handle color that excited me.

Being born and raised in Orange County, I decided to go with the ocean blue & beach sand color combination. 

During the time that the knife was being made, Chris reached out to me and communicated so well when the knife would be finished and delivered to my house. Upon opening the knife, immediately I was blown away. The attention to detail was far beyond what I was expecting. As a young chef, I reached out to my fellow associates in regard to buying a knife from Tanzo Cutlery.

Hand made in the USA!!!

Outstanding craftsmanship and professionalism from a true hard working American.

Thank you Chris 

Sincerely yours,

 First of all, just let me say that the quality of this knife can be instantly felt the second you pick it up. Well balanced, the custom handle  is stunning and the blade is razor sharp.

Working with Chris was easy. He designed the handle in a custom color for me and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome.  

Highly recommend Tanzo as the perfect addition to any home or professional kitchen.

 I commissioned by first Chef Knife from Tanzo Cutlery in June of 2024.  The craftsmanship of this blade is extra ordinary. It’s weighted really well, fits well in hand, easy to handle, and meticulously crafted with a very unique authentication process. What’s unique to me and the company itself is the man behind the scene and the handles. No handles are ever the same. These knives are made one at a time by hand and by one person. The maker stays in constant communication with you during the knife making process and has outstanding customer service.  We exchanged several text messages and photos of handle/color combinations that were to my liking prior to him making the knife. That being said, a month later I purchased a second Chef Knife from Tanzo Cutlery for a family member who is equally impressed as I was with my blade. If you’re looking for a quality chef knife this company has 5 stars. Look no further. 

 What better way to compliment an amazing tomahawk or nice piece of waygu than cutting it with a  custom knife from Tanzo.   The feel , and razor sharpness of the knife is unmatched… Custom made by hand in the USA , you can’t go wrong…

I ordered a custom knife from Tanzo Cutlery for my dad’s birthday, and it exceeded every expectation. After a quick phone conversation with Mr. Tanzo himself, I was able to hand-pick the handle materials, and he even suggested different options for the screws and studs that hold the handle to the blade. The attention to detail and craftsmanship are incredible! The knife is not only stunning but feels like a true heirloom piece. My dad was blown away by the gift and hasn’t stopped raving about it. Highly recommend Tanzo Cutlery for anyone looking for a meaningful, beautifully made gift!

Can’t say enough about Tanzo Cutlery! From the detail and precision of each knife, not to be outmatched by each custom handle. This custom piece of cutlery is one of a kind. 

Best in the business! Family and Veteran owned! Made in the USA  

Thank you Chris for all your hard work and time you put into our knife!

If you are looking for a custom knife that is highly functional, aesthetically pleasing, and a bad ass conversation piece, Tanzo Cutlery is a master of the craft.

Tanzo Cutlery crafted a beautiful, one-of-a-kind chef knife for me that embodies the spirit of the Marine Corps in its design. When you order from Tanzo, you receive not just a fully functional, beautifully balanced chef knife, but also a family heirloom that is truly a work of art, meant to be passed down from generation to generation. That’s how exceptional the quality is. Every time I cook dinner, I feel connected to my time in the Marines, and immense joy knowing I own one of these knives, which makes my life so much easier thanks to its craftsmanship and quality. I can’t wait to get other knives in different sizes. Thank you, Chris and Tanzo, for such a beautiful knife. Semper Fi!