Groomsmen Knives

Why a matched set works for a wedding party

A groomsman gift has one job. It has to say thank you in a way that still means something in ten years, when the suit has gone back to the rental shop and the photos live in a folder nobody opens. A good knife does that. It gets used, it gets carried, and every time it comes out of a pocket or a sheath it reminds him whose wedding it came from.

Giving every groomsman the same knife also saves you a small diplomatic problem. Nobody opens his box and wonders why the best man got the nicer one. The knives match, the names are different, and the only argument left is who gets to cut the cake. We would suggest nobody uses a Damascus hunter for that, but it is your wedding.

Every set on this page is built from one of our existing single knives. The set listing shows the whole group together in the main photo, and the rest of the gallery shows the single knife up close, so you can see exactly what each man is getting.

Which knife for which groomsman

If you already know the crowd, the choice is usually obvious. If you do not, the table below is a fair starting point.

For a mixed group that you do not know well, a folding pocket knife is the safe answer. It is useful, it fits in any pocket, and it is small enough to carry through the rest of the wedding day.

How engraving works on a set

Every set has the same engraving option you see on our single knives, with one difference. Instead of one text box you get a larger box with one line for each knife. Type one name, initials or a short date per line. Each line goes on its own knife, up to 20 characters a line, and the fee is $29 per knife. On a Set of 6 that comes to $174.

You can ask for the engraving on the blade or the handle, or leave the choice to our smith, who will put it where it reads best on that particular knife. Engraving is permanent, so check the spelling twice. The groom's cousin whose name has three silent letters will notice.

A good mix that works for most parties is the groomsman's name on one line and the wedding date on another, but on a set each knife gets one line, so most people keep it to the name or initials and a short date such as 06.14.2027.

Why a Set of 6

Count the groomsmen, then add the groom, the fathers and anyone else who stood up with you. Most wedding parties land somewhere between five and eight, which is why every set here comes as six. For a bigger party, add a second set.

Each set carries a 15% saving against buying the knives singly. If you need a different number, contact us before ordering and we will tell you what is possible.

Groomsmen swords

Some wedding parties want something bigger than a knife. Our personalized swords for groomsmen are made for exactly that, and the sword sets on this page give the whole line a matching blade for the wall. They take up more room on a table at the reception, and they make a better photo.

Common questions about groomsmen knife sets

Are all the knives in a set identical? They are the same model, made the same way. Because every blade is forged and finished by hand, small differences in pattern and wood grain from one knife to the next are normal and part of the reason people buy handmade.

Can each knife have a different name? Yes. That is the point of the engraving box on a set. One line per knife, one name per line.

How much does engraving add to a set? $29 per knife. A Set of 6 adds $174.

Do the knives come with a sheath or pouch? Each knife ships the way its single listing describes. Most of our pocket and fixed blade knives come with a leather sheath or pouch, and the single knife details are copied onto every set listing.

Is it legal to give knives as wedding gifts? In most places, yes, but carry laws differ by state and city. Please check local rules, especially for balisongs and longer blades, before you order.

Is there an old superstition about giving knives? There is. Some people believe a gifted knife cuts the friendship, and the usual fix is for the person receiving it to hand back a coin. Put a penny in each box and everyone is covered.

More reading

Still deciding? Our guide to groomsmen and wedding knife gifts walks through budget, engraving and presentation. For single knives rather than sets, browse the pocket knives, the hunting knives or the steak knives.