NRA

 

I recently placed again an order for 45 knifes for gifts to sponsors of our charity event. Mark came through for us again with a Damascus blade instead of the stainless blade that was standard for the knife as well as custom laser engraving. The order was completed quickly and arrived with no issues whatsoever. The knives are gorgeous and our sponsors were delighted.
Dwane Stephens
Friends of NRA

Dwane Stephens
Dwane Stephens

 

I recently placed a large order of knives with custom laser engraving for gifts to sponsors of a charity banquet with a pretty short turnaround. I have never dealt with any business that was as responsive as Mark Kovalsky at Black Mamba knives. Great communication at every step of the process and timely delivery. The knives turned out way beyond our expectations are are obviously the work of a true craftsman. The recipients were thrilled with the knives and we could not be happier with the service.

Dwayne Stephens
Dwayne Stephens

I am 42 and I've had a pocket knife since I was 5. I am an avid "folding pocket knife enthusiast" if such a thing exists. My wife got me one of your folding pocket knives for our anniversary and I absolutely love it.

Fit, form and function: this thing hits all of those key points. You make an outstanding product. 🖖

Paul Gonyer
Paul Gonyer

I ordered this Sequoia Bowie Knife for my husband as a Christmas gift, the knife arrived today and it is absolutely beautiful! The craftsmanship of the knife itself is superbly excellent and the knife has a gorgeous wood handle with a pleasing smooth finish. I couldn't be happier with my purchase! This is the second knife I have ordered from Black Mamba Knives, the first one was a birthday gift for my husband, the Frilled Shark. He was so happy with the Frilled Shark that he wanted the Sequoia and I already gave it to him early and he is just so thrilled to have this fine, well made piece. Both knives are on display on his desk and they are just outstanding! Thank you Mark and Black Mamba Knives!

Victoria Jakes

I purchased this knife for my husband as a birthday gift in 11/2021 and he was so thrilled with the knife he asked for the Sequoia for Christmas this year. We just received the Sequoia today and both the Frilled Shark and the Sequoia knives are absolutely beautiful! Outstanding craftsmanship and wonderful customer service! I could not be any happier with both purchases! Thank you!

Victoria Jakes

My experience with the company was really good. I have submitted a custom design and they've made it exactly as per my specifications.

Design completion time - 5/5
It took just over 2.5 months from submitting the design to getting it delivered. Although this may seem like a long time, keep in my that my design was a custom one made from a template, nothing that could be bought in a store.

Quality - 5/5
I could not believe how well the final product has turned out, both in specifications and finish/coating. My hat goes off to the makers.

Communication/custom service - 5/5
Brian and Mark were great to deal with. They have responded to all my inquiries in a timely manner.

I highly recommend Black Mamba Knives. Thank you Brian and Mark.

Rafal

I paid extra for immediate shipping but received a communication that it was a popular item and it would take a few days. They refunded my shipping fee, shipped out in just a few days and received in a week (give or take a day). Oh, Quality is superb thus why I ordered from these folks as I needed a quality tool that can be utilized in almost any situation (research folks!).

I paid extra for immediate shipping but received a communication that it was a popular item and it would take a few days. They refunded my shipping fee, shipped out in just a few days and received in a week (give or take a day). Oh, Quality is superb thus why I ordered from these folks as I needed a quality tool that can be utilized in almost any situation (research folks!).

Beautiful knife, the Damascus pattern is beautiful, the weight distribution is perfect, I couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful or better knife. I will be ordering from black mamba knives again!

Tristan Gottstein

Just received the Anaconda and I must say it is a work of art.  A truly  fine piece of work with damascus steel.  If you don't have one of these in your collection  it is a must have.  At some point I plan to add another with some other type of handle.  Great work Mark!

Ken Martin
Ken Martin

I got my much anticipated Hyena knife today, and could NOT be happier. The workmanship is fantastic, and this knife feels both solid and comfortable in my hand. The bolster transitions to a smooth, perfectly sized, comfortable handle with absolutely nothing that would preclude me from using this for a long time. The blade is a work of art; two separate billets of Damascus seamlessly forged into one blade with a razor sharp edge. The size is perfect as well—the 4” blade is neither too big nor too small, and the knife is a showstopper. It came with a great sheath and in a magnetically closing box that itself is perfect for storing it. I could not be happier, and above all else it is made in America, in a suburb perhaps 30 minutes from me. If you are on the fence about buying a knife from Black Mamba Knives, you will not regret your purchase with them. On top of it all, they are very responsive if you have any questions about your purchase.

 

Tom Banaski
Tom Banaski

Excellent craftsmanship! Was so thrilled to get my knife. It was exactly what I was looking for! Their customer work is the best
Will buy from Black Mamba again!

Drake
Drake

I purchased a custom knife and it is a one of a kind wonder. I was able to specify the knife type from the existing ones (bmk 105)  shown on the web pages with my own desired materials and a different Damascus pattern. It costs more but is worth it.

Willard
willard

I got one of Black mamba knives as a gift and I thought it looked great the still seems to be good I inquired with black mamba where the knives are made and their answer was very prompt within two minutes . And when I find out that their product is made in Illinois USA I was absolutely thrilled . Thanks to black mamba for the knife and the prompt response

Jordon
Jordon

5 STARS

Was recommended by brother and have been overwhelmed since my 1st chat with Mark, He has gone above & beyond and is always there to make things right

And for that will be back for a bigger purchase in the new year

 

Cody
Cody
Finally the knife arrived and it’s what I have in mind.. good quality and good product.
Thank you for excellent customer service.
And stay safe..
Best regards
Sultan Bagdadi
Sultan Bagdadi
Sultan Bagdadi

I ordered a custom Damascus steel Kabar set to USMC standards with a custom leather sheathe. The knife that mark made for me is superb. The edge and balance of the knife feel great. The process is simple you can either email or text Mark, describe, and pay for your order. The entire process took 2 months and the end product is well worth the wait.
Michael Han
USMC

Michael Han
Michael Han

arrived derived.thanks. its BMK-481butterfly knife,very beautiful.and sharp .its knife,there is offensive?tactical?or collection? my collection.thank you very much.

TAKU TATSUMI
TAKU TATSUMI

The communication and advice is very professional and response to queries was very quick.
I’m very happy with both designed knives, the quality is very good and the craftsmanship is out of this world.

Roy Martina
Roy Martina

I ordered the model BMK-406 Custom pocket knife with corkscrew, from Black Mamba Knives, and when it arrived, I was totally impressed. It by far exceeded my expectations.
The craftsmanship is exceptional, and I could see how it was meticulously hand crafted, with keen attention to detail. I can feel how well built and solid it is every time I use it. I’m loving this knife and looking forward to many year of use!

Don Weeks

Very beautiful knife. Got it as a gift for my boyfriend and now will need to order one for myself.

loradotson10 added a photo of their purchase

I love good art and when I discovered blackmamba knives, I was very impressed. Beautiful and very accurate craftsmanship.”
“Mark is a man who, when you meet him, his aura is as if you’ve always known him. You will not be disappointed. Love him and the company.”
“Also, Mark always wants you to be satisfied. If not he always makes it right. His knowledge and ability are very impressive”
James Allen

James Allen
James Allen

I look at it as a work of art personally, functional work of art which is what they're meant to be. If people don't understand that there has to be creative compromise then they aren't looking for a custom knife. I mean i gave you ideas on blade shape material and handle material but everything else was going to be a unique one off creative surprise. This is something i will use and be able to proudly pass this down for generations. It's new but already priceless to me. I'm not a blades man or whatever but it looks like you put quality time and energy in this piece. It's not stamped from a machine and there isn't another one like it anywhere
Justin

Justin
justin
  • I have ordered 6 knives from BMK. In fact, I just received the 6th knife today. I am very impressed with the quality of these knives. They are built like a tank. Fit and finish are excellent. I highly recommend BMK. I will be ordering additional knives soon. A full 5 stars for BMK!!!
Tim Nickerson

I had purchased the Bmk 160 frilled shark knife prior to this knife and love it. Well made, good balance and a lot of compliments. I’ve been looking at this knife for a while and finally pulled the trigger. When it arrives I was truly amazed. Looks much better in person than in the picture. As if somebody picked it out special for me. Beautiful blade and handle is awesome. I would definitely encourage knife lover to purchase this knife. Truly a piece of art.
Been collecting for over 40 years and I think this is my new favorite!
I am now eyeing another that I will probably purchase in the near future!

Michael

Really love the knife and can't believe how fast it got to me. This is my first damascus hand forged blade and couldn't be happier. Definitely will be coming back for more, till next time.

Stubbcore
Stubbcore

I bought BMK 103 bobcat knife for my father who has been an avid hunter for 40+ years. My dad doesn’t get excited about much, but he got excited about this knife. After holding it you’ll think knives you used in the past were toys. The knife is certainly very solid and robust, and on top of that it’s a thing of beauty. Thank you for the hard work you’ve put into this, and I’m ecstatic I could support a company making great products like this in the USA.

Dan Emery
Dan Emery

Love this knife. Purchased a few months ago and use it as one of my EDC. I get lots of compliments.
Well made product, I use it a lot and have no complaints.
I just purchased another knife this past Sunday and look forward to receiving it.
Been collecting for about 40 years and this knife is one of my favorites.. so far

MICHAEL
MICHAEL

I purchased bmk 105 knife and Love it. Use it as EDC and get lots of compliments.
Just purchased another knife and am looking forward for its arrival.
You can’t go wrong buying from this company!

MICHAEL SKUGRUD

I got my knife Thursday and I have to say I absolutely love it. I really like how this knife is unique and one of a kind not to mention functional. I can't wait to get another one.

James Dement

I received my first knife today from the Black Mamba Company and I will say...wow. Stunning craftsmanship and dangerously sharp. It will be one of, if not, the best knife I own. I love it and I want to say thank you to Mark for an amazing job he has done. Shipping does take time, but that's in part of the fact that knife is being made. Again, amazing! Looking forward to a pocket knife next.

tyler morehouse
tyler morehouse

My, oh my! This is a company that puts the shine on the word integrity. No matter what the issue, Mark puts his whole company behind making his customers feel important to them. Thank you so much, Mark for all you did to make my order right.

Brad stoddard
Brad stoddard

A Rugged and beautiful knife! I’ve reviewed and tested a lot of different knives, but I have never seen a Damascus knife like this…….

watch this knife full review on my you tube Chanel
https://youtu.be/RUWEEDFtlVo

A couple months ago I searched Damascus knifes on the web and Black Mamba popped up, so I clicked on it. The knives in the Black Mamba’s web site Immediately caught my eye. I couldn’t believe the Consistent beauty I was seeing, From folding knives to fixed blade knives. I knew I had to see one of their products in person.

Well a couple weeks ago I received my first Black Mamba knife in the mail. I want to start with the packaging…. I was pleasantly pleased with the box my knife came in. From the awesome Black Mamba logo to how the box opened. I opened the box to see the Persian Yuma knife and the sheath placed perfectly inside. I picked up knife and pulled It out of the plastic. The blade had a little oil / lubricant on it for protection. I couldn’t believe my eyes when the knife was in my hands. The detail, so much detail and thought was put into this knife. The Damascus blade was flawless and sharp out of the box. Over 352 Layers of 15N20 & 1095 Damascus Mixture of steel and high Carbon Steel. Oh my! Definitely hand forged. The handle, a Stag antler with a damascus steel bolster and turquoise spacers, felt like home in my hand. Again so much detail and thought was put into this. The weight of the knife seemed just right, not too heavy and not too lite….. perfect. The sheath the knife comes with is great as well, very thick and durable.

This past couple of weeks I put this knife to the test. I wanted to see if the quality would match the beauty of the knife. From feathering hard wood , using it on a ferro rod, to cutting thick rope. I was not disappointed, The blade held its edge well and cut like a dream. The spine on the blade was edged right to use it on a ferro rod to start a fire. I live in New England, not much of a hunter but I’m a huge outdoors enthusiast, from hiking to camping. This knife is perfect for those things. I’m sure it would hold up just fine through any hunting tasks as well.

I would recommend a Black Mamba to any knife lover out there. This Persian Yuma knife sells for 299$ on their website, I can tell you it’s probably worth a lot more than that! It’s a rugged and beautiful knife for sure! I would love to try out one of their folding knives next.

Thank you Black Mamba for this amazing knife!!

Ricky from ShoeMonster Tech

Ricky Daudelin
Ricky Daudelin

, I finally received my knife today and I have to say...wow. There are no words that can describe how beautifully crafted this knife is and how dangerously sharp it came out. You guys get a 10 star rating. Thank you so much. You and Mark have gone beyond my expectations. Absolutely amazing!

Tyler morehouse
Tyler Morehouse

I received my bmk-167 today and it is above and beyond what I expected. Beautiful pattern in the blade, nice sturdy gut hook and great craftsmanship in the handle. Jack was more than helpful on the service end of the deal, I will highly recommend these knives to family and friends and will be a future buyer.

As I was looking to get some knives Damascus steel as part of my collection. I stumbled into a YouTube video of the company Black Mamba. I visited the website and made a contact with the administrator Jack.

Wow he was extremely helpful. He gave specific instructions on how they work and how to select the different parts for my custom made knives. The follow up with Mark was also exceptional and he called to make sure the address was correct and also to make sure I received the package.

The result was amazing as all the details, blade, handle and contrast was exactly how I envisioned it.

I Started using them and the handling while cutting was perfect with raw tuna, carving a ribeye and slicing vegetables.

It’s not just the looks, it is also the quality of the knives. In my opinion they are superior

10/10 is my score....

Jorge

JORGE MARTINEZ TRABAL
JORGE MARTINEZ TRABAL

Hello, my name is Art Poling I have been a Tool & Diemaker and Inspector for going on 56 years. I have just purchased over the last few months a Katana Sword, Premier pocketknife, and Two Hunting Knives from Mark the owner of Black Mamba Knives. We have not met but we now have the pleasure of being a friend of his. He is an Artist, Jeweler, Metal Forger, and a Knife making Expert. He brings all his Talents to his Knife making skills. Between the Damascus Blades that he makes and the Artistry and Jeweler skills that he puts into his knives in my opinion. He sets the Standards for the rest of the World as to what Perfection is. He has been at it for over 50 years so between the two of us we have over 100 years of making things out of Metal. If you want personal care and great knives purchase from Black mamba and for sure you will get way more than your Money’s Worth. In everything Mark makes. Just visit his Web Site www.blackmambaknives.com  you will be Convinced.

 

Arthur Poling

p/s I’m not done buying

arthur poling
arthur poling

Enclosed is my truthful, and faithful review of Black Mamba Knives…

 

A year ago I was looking for a Damascus hunting knife, primarily for skinning deer, and some hogs. I live in northwest Georgia, and we get a good bit of both to hunt, though hogs are more down in the south of the state… hey, I got a truck, and coolers… and a .308. We on!!! Anyway I was looking for a Damascus blade. The mix of steels when done right give you the perfect blade. Able to bend and not chip or break on bone, able to take a super sharp edge and keep it, and, just all around the best steel in my opinion, because of the “flex” in the steel, the edge, and just the durability and dependability.

 

So why should you keep reading? Because I am damn picky!!! Yup, it is a fault, ask my wife! I looked all over the internet, and came across what was a sweet knife on Amazon.com. Yep, I was skeptical. Damascus, quality, basically up to meeting my pickiness on Amazon of all places? Well I ordered it. It was the Black Mamba Knives BMK-100 Hyena. 3 Deer later, still not re-sharpened, and still just like it came in the box. Well I did clean and oil it after the deer…

 

It was the real deal. I was blown away. I reached out to Black Mamba Knives and was able to get in touch with Mark the owner. Could he make a custom blade for me? We texted back and forth, an email or two, because what I wanted was special to me, and took great trust. Great trust. He won me over.

 

The knife blade I wanted what a copy of the blade of my U.S. Army issued Benchmade 9101-SBK, which carries a National Stock Number of NSN: 1095-01-577-1801. Yup, I got issued it in spring of 2005 somewhere on Camp Striker, Baghdad Iraq, infantry (yeah, I got a CIB to prove it). If you ever got issued one, you know how precious they are!!! And how amazing a knife they are!!! I have carried it daily since (well, pretty much, I did lose it in my garden for a while…). And I mean, even if I am in the shower, there is a good chance the knife is with me. I carry it that much. (I am just joking about the shower… mostly, well, not really.) Mark said I would need to remove the blade and send it to him so that he could spec. it out and make a true and perfect copy using a CNC. Okay I get that Mark, but, ummm… that knife is like a part of me, it is my “go to” and I am like naked without it clipped into my Wranglers… I understand you need the blade as a template, but, ummm….. NOT getting a warm and fuzzy on this… nope, not at all!!!!

 

So I broke down and sent it to Black Mamba Knives in late December 2019. Mark said it would take a bit, maybe 6 weeks maybe a little longer, with his other orders and all that was going on at the shop. It was Christmas, lots of orders I am thinking, so my reply… “No problem” I said, as I reached for another knife to clip in my jeans, well I didn’t have old faithful, but, I at least, could open a box…

 

Well, then covid-19 reared it’s ugly head in the middle of everything. Everyone was locked down, work outages, people laid-off, and everyone worried as all get out. I was worried and Mark was too. I stayed in touch with Mark, and he always responded right back. Yep, nothing he could do, my order would be delayed. (This was the week before my blades were to ship and only needed the time at the CNC.) But, Mark couldn’t get access to the CNC he needed because of the stupid Corona. Did that stop Mark? NO! It did set him back a bit, but, Mark and Black Mamba Knives are going to adapt, overcome, and improvise!!! Now there are a LOT of angle cuts in the steel, a beveled tang, a drop point, and the blade is ½ serrated. This was not going to be an easy job to do even with a CNC. But, BMK (Black Mamba Knives) and Mark pulled it off!!!

 

During our texts and emails, over the time I waited, I got to know Mark more as a friend than just as a knife maker and proprietor of fine blades. We talked about the virus, how our lives were changing, how he couldn’t see his grand-children, but one thing really came across loud and strong. Was how he was so frustrated in not being able to get the work done the way he wanted for his customers. He felt like he was letting them down. He couldn’t do what, in his mind, he thought was the way he needed to get things done to serve his customers with the care, timeliness, and attention to detail that he wanted. That ticked him off. To the nth degree.

 

My patience was rewarded. Wow, Mark had made 3 blades for me, I had ordered 2. I suppose (and this is only a guess, from getting to know Mark and BMK a bit) that he always planned on making 3. That way if one got messed up (like I said this was a complex blade design) on the first run, then he could adjust, and still fulfill the customer order with no problem and no issues. Well, I got the blades, tore down my old trusty knife (I had put it back together without the blade so I didn’t lose the springs), and swapped in the blade (and of course, he sent back the beaten to death, been to Iraq 3 times, been tilled into my garden on my tractor, tilled back up 2 years later, been run over by my dodge, and I don’t know how many times I have used it to cut everything from 550 cord to food… to you name it…) and bang, it was a perfect fit!!!

 

DISCLAIMER: I do NOT recommend tearing down a Benchmade 9101-SBK Autostryker, this will void the lifetime warranty. Also, if you are not careful the springs shoot out all over the place and they are hard to find. You, Dear Reader, have been warned!!! Also DO NOT SEND BLACK MAMBA KNIVES A FUNCTIONING SWITCHBLADE!!!! Switchblades are illegal in Il. And would cause problems for Black Mamba Knives and Mark. They ARE legal where I live; and I am exempt under Federal Law anyway!!! Black Mamba Knives and Mark were only sent the blade after it was removed from the knife. Everything was done LEGALLY!!!!

 

The knife functions flawlessly, the blade is a perfect copy. Sadly it was perfect!!! This is not a fault to BMK or Mark, this is just reality and life. I had worn down that original blade so much, the tanto angle had worn down. So when Mark make the copy, the blades also had a slight rounded edge to them. Now Dear Reader, you could get miffed or upset on that. But, when I took the blades made by Mark and BMK, and placed it dead on top of the original, they were an exact match. So BMK and Mark are not to blame for making exactly what I asked for; this one is on me, and I should have informed BMK and Mark that the tanto edge was worn (basically, away completely, from abuse and misuse) and could BMK add back the tanto edge and angle). Had I done that, I am sure the angle of the tanto shape would have been perfect. So again, not a mistake or flaw on BMK or Mark, I own this one, but, you know what? I actually like the angle better, and it cuts better for me anyway. I rather like the slightly modified semi-tanto better so I actually got an improvement, in a round-about way!!!

 

During all this delay due to stupid Covid-19 I had bought another Benchmade (remember I felt naked…) 9101-SBK. When I tore it down the blade had been changed by Benchmade. So not all Benchmades are created equally. However, Mark had sent an extra!!! So, a rat file, and a little time on the bench with a Dremel 8220, a vice on the bench, and a touch of patience and cutting oil (you can’t put steel back on, measure, cut 1/2 and measure again) and that went into the new knife!!!! Works like a champ!!!

 

To say I am stunned and amazed by the quality of craftsmanship, the honesty of BMK and Mark (due to this stupid Corona thing), and just how down to earth and just what great people everyone at BMK is, well, this has been a breath of fresh air in an otherwise hard time for all.  There are real and good people out there; if you are thinking of the people at Black Mamba Knives, you have found them!!! And if you are thinking of buying a knife, don’t hesitate!!!! The quality in the knife you are gonna get is out of this world!!!

 

I had written off ever getting my blades back. I figured with the whole corona thing, it just wasn’t gonna happen. Many small businesses are collapsing and going under. Tons of people losing their jobs and livelihoods. The money I had spent was water under the bridge (so I thought…), and I doubted there was gonna be much I could do about it. Water under the bridge… freaking Corona… a week later, a text from Mark, my blades were going to CNC on Tuesday and should be done Wednesday, and was this the right address to ship them to? Then a photo of the finished blades. I got them on Saturday. Into the knife on Sunday (after Church via internet). And Bang!!! The first (original) one was perfect as soon as it was in! The second one (remember Benchmade changed their blade design since mine was made for the war back in 2005) took a touch of work, but, no problem and poof, it is functioning flawlessly!!!

 

To say I am a happy customer would be an understatement. I am a customer for life. Black Mamba Knives are flawless. Hands down. If it leaves Marks shop it is perfect. `Nuff Said!!! I have ordered 3 other knives, one has already arrived already (it was a standard pattern BMK-100 Hyena), and I know the other two (custom designs which take a little longer) are easily worth a 2-3 week wait. Those will be a slight modification of the BMK-100 Hyena to help with skinning hogs. The hogs are big, have tough skin, and needed a little modification on the original BMK-100 to suit my purpose.

 

It is a long review, but, these are special times, and Black Mamba Knives are special people. Is the Benchmade Autostryker 9101-SBK the perfect general purpose knife? Almost. Is it the perfect knife with a Black Mamba replacement blade? I believe so!!!! Am I replacing my hunting, fishing, and just all round general purpose knives with Black Mamba Knives? Well, they are on order (Covid or not). So I guess you know the answer to that question.

 

So how do I rate my Black Mamba Knives? I put them up there with my 20+ year old Dodge Cummins, my diesel tractor, my Savage .308, Ruger 10-22, Remington 700, or my 45-70 Govt. Marlin. I would put them up there with a 240 Bravo or a Ma Duce (If you are Infantry you know what I am talking about). Some things on day 1 are just going to stand the test of time. Black Mamba Knives are one of them. After 3 trips to Iraq, I just want stuff that works, every time, period, no questions asked. No excuses, no ifs, ands, or butt’s about it. Black Mamba Knives are there!!!

 

I almost never give reviews (yeah, like ever, this is the first). This is one of the few times I have.

 

The views and opinions presented here do not reflect upon those of the United States Department of Defense, the United States Army, or the United States Federal Government. They are mine and mine alone.

 

Sincerely,

And ever faithfully, your humble servant,

1Lt. James Lee Kirchner (USA, Ret.)

Original Signed

James Lee Kirchner
James Kirchner

I just received this knife , beautiful in the picture Was NOT disappointed when I received it. Beautiful ,true craftsmanship. Funny was looking at it for awhile should have ordered it right away. Great purchase on my part.  James

James
James

I just received the knife and I am very impressed, exquisite craftsmanship my friend. Definitely going to be ordering another one from you guys soon, a fixed blade this time though.limited edition knife ! Bmk-1011 Poseidon

JOHN BUCKI
JOHN BUCKI

Not many things look like the sample picture but this knife came exactly as displayed if not looking even better in person. It is razor sharp and locks up tight. The bone handle material was a pleasant surprise and really stands out. The customer service is also excellent with helping me have an engraving put on it. Would highly recommend. Limited edition knife !Bmk 1008 Zeus

Matt Patterson
Matt Patterson

🇺🇸 I just got my knife and I have to say first that pictures did this knife no justice this knife is built extremely well, I have been collecting knives for many years and this is definitely the best knife I have ever owned I will be a customer as long as they are making knives and I will show and tell everyone that Black Mamba Knife Co  makes the best knives

🇺🇸 EAGLE 🇺🇸
Seth Hixenbaugh

Mark! The beautiful replacement sheath for my son-in-law's knife arrived yesterday. He is very happy, and so am I. Thank you for being true to your word and for coming through big-time. We wish you all best in producing, marketing, and selling you exquisite knives, and we look forward to doing business with you again in the future. Peace.

Angelo
Angelo

The BMK-108 is a really nice looking knife I got for my friend's 50th B-day. I spend a significant amount of time on the internet to find a special, high rated knife. I personally own many good quality knives from Czech Republic, Germany, Japan and US. But since I've never had Damascus design, I was a little skeptical especially when you can see on the market so many of fake, low quality and cheaply made Damascus knives or steel shanks which are imported to US from other countries. After getting all my questions answered with unbelievable speed by Mark Kovalsky I finally decided to get one for my friend. I am looking forward to working with Mark again in near future to get a few more of such beautiful knives.

Lubo
Lubo

I was online and saw this Damascus Katana sword and was skeptical to make this large purchase, but thought I would give it a try. Black Mamba Knives was an absolute pleasure to do business with. They provided excellent customer service with prompt communication. I can't say enough, they really went above and beyond. Their after-purchase service was also above and beyond. As far as the quality of the product, it is a work of art. And Mr. Kovalsky is an artist. Solid construction, craftsman quality, a razor edge, beautiful pattern Damascus steel and Olive burl wood handle and sheath. A BMK product is a perfect addition to any knife collection and at a reasonable price, I couldn't be happier! I highly recommend doing business with Black Mamba Knives a gem in the world of high-quality knives.

Hayden Johnson
Hayden Johnson

I have received the knife and the wait was worth it it is bad ass thanks good job!!

JASON WATSON
JASON WATSON

Bought my brother this knife for Christmas he said it is the most badass knife he has ever owned!!

Bmk-403 Viper

James
James

I’m so glad I found this web site. The knife is awesome from looks to cutting. Best purchase I’ve made on knife ever!!

bmk-406 Taipan

James
James

Awesome looking and cutting knife!

Bmk-401 Pandinus

James rogers
James rogers

As a small based company that depends on customer service. I can only say contacting Mark Kovalsky at Black Mamba Knives turned out to be like a sister company. Even though it was a small order and mark was not given a lot of time to do some revisions engraving the product Mark was totally on top of it. The communication level was a 10. The product arrived packaged well and to say the least the product was made well and beautiful . Every detail perfect. Again Thank You for the service. Next year will be a bigger order for or customers.

Daniel
Daniel

I have to say this is by far the nicest ballisong I've ever owned! The blade is truly razor sharp. It flips very smoothly and is getting even better with daily flipping. Description says ram horn handle inserts but it looks more like some sort of a dark hardwood? I could be mistaken but it's still beautiful either way. It took quite a bit of cleaning to get the packaging oil off the knife. The leather sheath is very high quality even though I probably won't carry it in it. The only thing I customized for my preference,was wrapping shrink wrap around the handle latch so it will stay open while flipping. If not the latch hits the handles marking it up. Not an issue if you don't practice flipping like I do. If your a novice ballisong flipper,I recommend getting a unfinished blade because this is insanely sharp! You could actually shave with this blade! The customer service was great when ordering this and I think you're getting a high quality knife for the price. This is now my EDC knife. I will definitely be making my future knife purchases from Black Mamba knives! Thank you

Jeff Coulter
Jeff Coulter

We contacted Mark Kovalsky and Black Mamba Knives to help work with us to create a custom Damascus Steel folding knife as a holiday gift for our clients. This was an order of 200 knives that took less than 60 days from the drawing board to final delivery. The communication between my staff members and Mark to add custom features was impeccable and almost instantaneous over text and phone calls. Mark was a pleasure to work with. The final product was a beautiful and functional handmade work of art that harkens back to an era before mass production. Each knife is unique. Our clients have since written us many thank you letters expressing how much they love the gifts. I hope we will have an opportunity to work with Mark again in the near future.

Will Akerlof
President, Liquid Advertising

Will Akerlof
Will Akerlof, President, Liquid Advertising

TLDR; gorgeous knife. sheathe is almost useless

Pros
-the knife is solid full tang Damascus steel
-came with an appropriate amount of oil on it to protect the blade
-very workable edge. significantly better than I expected
-unlike many manufacturers their logo on the blade isnt obnoxiously obvious and blends with the steel nicely (black mamba knive. I will be looking them up and likely buying more of their work)

Cons
-Sheathe its self is solid double stitched thick leather, but the belt loop is held by single stitch and glue and almost too narrow to put on a belt.
-belt loop only allows for one option of carry (with so many kydex options out there these days theres no excuse to not offer a more versatile set up)

BMK 159 OCTOPUS

NICK
NICK

I'll start this off by saying I HATE to do reviews, and I rarely do. I don't feel that stuff on Amazon deserves a participation trophy, but this knife was deserving of my time. I have a Kershaw flipper speed assist opening knife, that I carried around with me as my EDC when I read an article that said they may not be legal to carry where I live - or at least it could be problematic depending on which law enforcement officer you get. We can go back and forth about legal possibilities, but let's just say that for me it just wasn't worth the hassle. So I had my checklist of what the new knife could or couldn't be. I searched and searched - I bought and returned other knives that I wasn't happy with, and I searched some more. Until I found this one.

This knife is amazing. It's the perfect weight, and fits in my back pocket without me having to worry about my pants falling down - but it still has enough heft for you to know that you're carrying a good tool. It's the right profile and fits in my hand just right for a small knife. The blade is SHARP - right out of the box sharper than ANY other knife I have owned. Beyond that it's just a work of art. I would be just as happy setting it in a display case for me and my friends to admire instead of having it in my pocket. I love the layers and how everything compliments each other. It truly is a work of art that you will be happy owning for many years.

BMK 406 TAIPAN <3

JMD
JMD

Got my knife BMK 415 tsetse fly and it's the best life I've ever owned I'm completely 100% satisfied I think it's a beautiful piece of utilitarian art

 

 

 

John Smith
John Smith

WOW! WOW!! WOW!!! WOW!!!! WOW!!!!! Totally Awesome!!! Beautiful!!! Spectacular Wood Handle/Scales!!! Super Blade!!! Wonderful Tang Work!!! Great Balance!!! Fast Service!!! Excellent Seller!!! Outstanding Craftsmanship!!! Top Quality!!! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

BMK-1020 Mars

Stave Garvey
Stave Garvey
Just received this little  Bmk-415-RD Tsetse Fly knife this morning.First, thank you for such incredibly FAST shipping And second and most importantly, for such an amazingly HIGH QUALITY  knife!  I am absolutely delighted with it! Talk about EXCELLENT quality and service across the board --- you have both of these!  Thanks a million
Until next time.
Dan Czerwonka
Dan Czerwonka

Got my knife and it’s the best life I’ve ever owned I’m completely 100% satisfied I think it’s a beautiful piece of utilitarian art...

Bmk 415 Tsetse Fly

John smith
John smith
I was a little skeptical at first to say the least when looking for my next daily carry pocket knife. With so many companies promising quality over quantity but rarely delivering I had to do some research. After searching for a few days online I found Black Mamba Knives. I have to say I'm very impressed with the overall quality and feel of the knife. I ended up ordering a slightly less expensive model BMK-421 Rufous beaked Snake but can say without a doubt that it's the nicest feeling knife I've bought. I probably have closer to fifty or more pocket knifes ranging from Kershaw to Buck and even some vintage Boker etc. This handmade knife from Black Mamba is worth every penny if not more. I now have a drawer full of Knives that I'll probably rarely use. Thanks again for the awesome build and I can't wait for the chef knife that I also ordered. This is my go to knife company from now on. If your contemplating on purchasing from this company verses another you need to give them a try.
Jason Balog
Jason Balog

It’s just that I order knives 🔪 that I carry in the field everyday so being extremely sharp is greatly appreciated I’m carrying my Bowie Damascus with 10in blade now along with both my two pocket knives 🔪 all are very exquisite and extremely beautiful I love them all I feel very fortunate that I stumbled across your website my friend it’s about time I found very awesome blades that are handmade and fire forged
Bmk 106 dugite

Brad
Brad
I wanted to wait until I had a chance to give it some good use! This knife is constructed wonderfully. The amazing attention to detail is indicative of a craftsman who appreciates a great blade! This knife's edge geometry was perfect out of the box, with sharpness retention above any I have purchased. I have put this fine piece against any blade I have encountered and it dominates! I am very excited about my purchase and look forward to another soon. Bravo Zulu on a job well done!
BMK-416 Dugite
Jo Shankins
Jo Shankins
Black Mamba Custom Dagger Balisong...After purchasing multiple Black Mamba Balisongs and being very impressed with their workmanship and artistry, I figured I would put Mark to the test and have him make me a custom Balisong with a dagger style blade. Not only did he accept my challenge, he hit it out of the park with my design. Elegant, sleek, and extremely smooth this Balisong will be my EDC. Thanks Mark!
P.S Please Watch My knife Video on My Hand
https://bit.ly/2lEXCn0
Philips Jackson
Philips Jackson

This is a beautiful knife. I’ve been collecting knives for about 20 years and the Dragon will make an excellent addition to my collection. I carry several knives when I’m out in the woods and this would make a great working knife. It is sharp, tough and ready to cut. However, due to its beauty and fine craftsmanship, I have already enclosed the Dragon along side it’s sheath in a display case to be admired by my friends and guests.

JOHN
JOHN

BMK-441 Balisong. High Carbon Steel Blade, Stainless Steel handles with Bone and walnut Wood inserts. This is one of my many BMK Balisongs. The craftsmanship and artistry put into the Balisong is second to none. This Balisong has a very smooth action which aids in the ease of manipulation, the beauty and craftsmanship make it a good collector item also. Once again thank you for your awesome work.

watch review video in Instagram

https://bit.ly/2MOeuE6

https://bit.ly/2UiONMT

Phillip Jackson
Phillip Jackson

Absolutely gorgeous blade. I love the straight edges, makes sharpening easy. Ironically I was disappointed the picture didn't have a pocket clip shown, however when it arrived it did have a pocket clip! I really got lucky this manufacturer is awesome!

Joshua Kennedy
Joshua Kennedy

BMK-434 High Carbine Steel Black Mamba Balisong With Walnut Handles. I received the knife nicely packaged, custom box, excellent black sheath, Black Mamba Balisong separate in an oil bag. As I unpackaged the order I was very surprised by the excellent workmanship in the Black Mamba Balisong and sheath. The Black Mamba Black Mamba Balisong was not what I expected, it was far superior, beautiful, smooth, a great work of Art. I have ordered more Black Mamba Knives because of the craftsmanship of my BMK-434. Great Job!  Watch video

Phillip Jackson Republic, Mo
Phillip Jackson Republic, Mo

Real, modern day, Damascus. Beautiful

Absolutely gorgeous. I’m so glad I bought ‘er.
She came carefully bubble wrapped. Separate from the sheath. Boxed and cared for. This knife was super sharp on arrival. Well oiled, in fact, took a while to clean it all off. But, underneath is Damascus beauty. Right to the edge. No etching. Just gorgeous. Check it out for yourself. You won’t be disappointed.

JEB Associates
JEB Associates

I will start this off by saying I HATE to do reviews, and I rarely do. I don't feel that stuff on Amazon deserves a participation trophy, but this knife was deserving of my time. I have a Kershaw flipper speed assist opening knife, that I carried around with me as my EDC when I read an article that said they may not be legal to carry where I live - or at least it could be problematic depending on which law enforcement officer you get. We can go back and forth about legal possibilities, but let's just say that for me it just wasn't worth the hassle. So I had my checklist of what the new knife could or couldn't be. I searched and searched - I bought and returned other knives that I wasn't happy with, and I searched some more. Until I found this one.

This knife is amazing. It's the perfect weight, and fits in my back pocket without me having to worry about my pants falling down - but it still has enough heft for you to know that you're carrying a good tool. It's the right profile and fits in my hand just right for a small knife. The blade is SHARP - right out of the box sharper than ANY other knife I have owned. Beyond that it's just a work of art. I would be just as happy setting it in a display case for me and my friends to admire instead of having it in my pocket. I love the layers and how everything compliments each other. It truly is a work of art that you will be happy owning for many years.

JMH
JMH

Purchased this knife in my quest to find an heirloom quality knife that could be carried in my front pants pocket,being a collector, I have a lot of knives,I carry a skele tool on my belt for the handy pliers and screwdriver,too much weight and pulls my pants down,or have to wear belt too tight,so weight is primary concern,don’t get me wrong there is solid “heft” to this knife but not overly heavy have had Texas toothpick,wears a hole in pocket,my little buck two blade has been good but hard to keep an edge and the old timers and case folders everyone has ,wanted something different,this is what I was looking for!now to the knife,what a awesome piece,one of the nicest I have ever seen, from the scroll work on the back edge,to the beautiful steel,it is truly a piece of art,is it really 150,000 year old woolly mammoth tooth,tusk,or bone handle?sounds not too likely but you never know,by the sheer beauty,I will take their word for it!thats what I am telling anyone who asks anyway,will keep posted on the longevity of holding an edge,but I don’t think that will be an issue,if you are looking for a small quality knife you ca n brag on and show off,you won’t be disappointed!everyone that has seen it has been impressed
Once again seeing is believing on how nice this piece really is,so to finish”WOW”

 

TRULY UNIQUE
TRULY UNIQUE

Here’s a quick little freestyle. Awesome traditional style Black Mamba balisong! Opened the box and started flipping great product.  I loved the sheath as well, it is very nicely made

Miguel Zarate
Miguel Zarate

I was looking for something unique and special I could carry as my hunting knife when I found Black Mamba Knives. I liked the size and shape of the Persian Yuma with buffalo horn inlays, thinking it would be a good skinning blade, so I ordered one. Mark kept me updated throughout the process as he was handcrafting the knife. Upon receiving the knife I was impressed with the quality of the fit and finish. I wouldn’t hesitate to order again. I’m sure my hunting buddies will be jealous when they see it.

John T.
John T.

! This is awesome!!really wanted a “ heirloom knife” that i could carry in front pocket this size and weight appears to be right.truly a work of art, beautiful!! To say the least, the quality is apparent, the scroll-work and detail of the tsetse fly, buy this knife you will not be dissapointed, truly a masterpiece!!!! Is it really 150,000 year old woolly mammoth handle?im gonna take their word

larry weeden
larry weeden

The knife is gorgeous and didn’t take long at all to reach me, especially being a international order into Canada. Wonderful service and beautiful product.

Shannon ferraro
Shannon ferraro

Knife was exceptional and really well made! Seller answered all my questions and gave me his recommendations and it was a big hit as a gift. Thank you so much!

Heidi
Heidi

Fast shipping, and the seller is willing to work with you to solve problems.

Jaden Dedman
Jaden Dedman

This knife is awesome!! The craftsmanship is beautiful. It came to the house in 2 days!! Got this as a gift for my nephew who is a collector. This will be his first Damascus knife and I can’t wait to see his face when he opens it.

ward Clifford
ward Clifford

Fiance loved the early anniversary present After his pocket knife tip broke off.

greeneyezforone
greeneyezforone

I bought This originally for my dad for Christmas but when I showed it to my husband he was so impressed he kept it for himself! I should probably say that my husband is a Chef and has access to all kinds of knives but was incredibly impressed with this ones craftsmanship! I ordered another one for my dad.

Ashley Hiller
Ashley Hiller

Amazing this guy makes quality knives and goes above and beyond for your satisfaction. My knife came oiled In a sealed bag with great packaging and a cover for the tip. Amazing absolutely amazing.

Kyle burt
Kyle burt

Thank you for the prompt shipping! It is a true piece of art! It is a Christmas gift for my husband, so I'll let you know his response!
Thanks!

kcosby
kcosby

The seller has good responsibility. I will get a new one very soon since the previous one has a little problem. 👍👍

Veekit P.
Veekit P.

Such a beautiful knife! I am so excited to give to my partner, who is a collector! Thank you so much! I will be back to shop again!

Michelle Zjala Winter
Michelle Zjala Winter

This was a great purchase! It was a gift for my boyfriend and he absolutely loved it. It's beautiful and well made. Fast delivery too. Looking forward to watching him use it daily.

Abby
Abby

I know zero about knives but I wanted to get one for my boyfriend who knows about what it takes to make a great knife. After reading the reviews and googling I went for it. He was amazed by the quality of the blade, handle and even the leather case. I think he was more amazed I picked it out!

jennifer McIntyre
jennifer McIntyre

Bought as a Christmas present for my nephew (I have three). He loved it!!! Excellent service. Fast shipping. Beautiful craftsmanship. Will definitely be making more purchases from this shop.

Lynn Look
Lynn Look

Great quality, my husband loved it! However the note I wrote out for him to read when he opened it wasn't placed in the box. I was pretty disappointed about that.

Savannah Ramsey
Savannah Ramsey

The Chef knife I bought for my brother-in-law is amazing. He loved it...first present I’ve ever bought him that he really, truly loves!!!

aggie
aggie

My husband loved the knife. Supper excited great company Was very helpful to someone that knew nothing about what to get the hunter in my life. Thank you so much

Stephenie
Stephenie

Very cool knife. Everyone that sees it is impressed.

Jack Malarik
Jack Malarik

Very beautiful knife. Got it as a gift for my boyfriend and now will need to order one for myself.

lora dotson
lora dotson

Exceptionally detailed workmanship and the fastest shipping I have ever experienced. Thank you again !

Matthew G. Dodd
Matthew G. Dodd

Amazing. The look, the feel, the weight! The gravitas. Awesome Job!

Ricardo Vega
Ricardo Vega

I thought shipping was delayed so I contacted the owner he contacted me in a very timely manner. The night came with some instructions great packaging and very well oiled. The craftsmanship is beautiful and I would love to buy from him again.

Zachary
Zachary
 Hi Mark! I received your gift yesterday (TSETSE FLY neck knife) and was pleasantly surprised you actually took the time to personalized a note for me. Thank you for doing that as it means a lot to me as a customer and it shows how you value people in general. Both of these knives (TSETSE FLY AND DRAGON SLAYER) are absolutely gorgeous and displays high level craftsmanship on your part. My nephew is going to love this knife! I look forward to doing more business with you in the near future!
Dave
Dave

I received the "Dragon Slayer Bowie" today and words could not express how I felt when I opened the package. The smile on my face was ear to ear. Box was nicely packaged and shipping only took 2 days for delivery. Mark was great to work with and did a remarkable job on this knife. From end to end the fit & finish of this Bowie is outstanding! Although a big knife, it feels really comfortable and well balanced in the hand. I highly recommend this seller!

Dave
Dave

Beautiful knife. perfect attention to detail just received as a Christmas gift very excited to carry and use daily . Will definitely be put to the test being in my possession.Feels way to nice to use as a daily knife but hey all things that are nice need to get used only to get better get character and than pass on thank you for making such an awesome knife !

Shaun mazza
Shaun mazza

Just received this knife in the mail and like I stated on Facebook, I know quality when I see it.
This knife is a Christmas present for my daughter and she will be thrilled to get it!
Also, I like the way the knife came oiled and with information on how it was made and
how to care for it!!

I’ll probably get one for myself

Thank you Mark Kovalsky and Merry Christmas

Art Duke
Art Duke

Overall, pleased with the knife. Very sharp out of the box. The box should come with a warning: “Sharp edge. Handle with care” . Sliced my thumb open wiping some oil off the blade. Has good action. The tang pin cups are a bit too large resulting in loose latch lock-up in the open or closed position. The leather sheath that came with the knife is very nicely made. I would have preferred adjustable/removable pivot pins like what’s pictured rather than the hidden pins. The overall look is cleaner with the hidden pins but I like to be able to adjust the pivots as the pivots tend to loosen up with use and I won’t be able to adjust it as needed. Still, I am very pleased with the knife especially with the fairly quick turn-around time and the price. Any of my nitpicking will be addressed with my next order which I plan on doing soon. Thank you.

GEORGE
GEORGE
I got my knife Thursday and I have to say I absolutely love it. I really like how this knife is unique and one of a kind not to mention functional. I can't wait to get another one. (review sync from BMK google map)
James Dement
James Dement

BMK-106 Received in new condition as advertised with fine leather sheath. Thanks Much!

David Pate
David Pate

I bought a customized BMK-420.

2cm shorter.

The balisong has the right weight and balance for basic flipping.

The blade is half double edged (the upper side is half edged but not too much sharpened).

The other blade is razor sharp.

The leather sheath is very nice.

Overall e very good knife.

Michele
Michele

This is More than “JUST A KNIFE”. This knife is a piece art that has amazing function! I own many mamba knives and have never been disappointed in any of them . Mark is a master craftsmen and takes pride in his Work and has always been a man of his word his communication is the best. Thank you for the help in all my projects.  Purchase one you will not be disappointed!

R. Garcia
R. Garcia

I received the first Red Dragon Slayer- it's hard to describe the quality and finish of this one. Mark has created a masterpiece with this knife. He has taken Damascus steel to the next level. The Damascus guard is integrated into the blade like nothing I have ever seen. The stag handle is a work of art and makes this creation very colorful with the Damascus a perfect blend. The shape of the blade makes the knife look incredible. I mentioned to Mark that I had been collecting knives since 1976 and this one makes number 1000. It is a fantastic work of art to help me cerebrates this milestone. You have to order this one- it will not disappoint!

Ken Martin
Ken Martin

I was always afraid to order a custom knife but was ready to take the chance. So I had A damascus steel straight razor and A damascus fishing filet knife made by Mark from Blackmamba Knives.  Today when I opened the package and saw the both of them how beautiful they were. I could not be happier. I explained to Mark email what i wanted we exchanged a few pictures and picked the woods i wanted and told him lengths. They were exactly as I envisioned. Bot are razor sharp. The packaging was also done well they were packed well both oiled to preserve the damascus and handles. They even came with beautiful natural leather sheaths. Inside was a nicely written thank you letter and a two page letter on how to care for my knives. Mark GREAT QUALITY AND WORKMANSHIP AND ATTENTION TO DETAIL.. I would definitely order from mark again.

Thank You
Alex

 

Alex Crouse

Mark the knife arrived today and WOW WOW !!  It totally exceeded my expectations! I own many knives and this is certainly my new favorite. I will be taking it hunting this upcoming season. What a work of art that has function.  The construction is flawless and the sheath and blade are both incredible. Worth the wait for sure! Your communication skills are truly great customer service in a world that has lost this skill...........................

Many many thanks,
A very satisfied customer

CLINT USA

   

Clint M
CLINT

I have now purchased my sixth Black Mamba knife- 5 Persian Yumas/ 1 Kabar and more planned in the future. As a collector, I can appreciate a high quality, well constructed knife. These knives have these qualities but along with it beauty as well. If you are a hunter, these knives are extremely sharp and most likely be great for skinning. If you are a collector, just looking at these knives brings to mind works of art. The Damascus is flawless. The spacers in the handles are perfectly matched and are absolutely flawless along with the stag. The knives fit perfectly in your hand- buy one and you can easily see this. They would also make an impressive side arm as the sheaths are high quality as well. Contact Mark- you can’t go wrong buying one of these beauties.

Ken Martin
Ken Martin

I received my Bowie knife today and from the time I open the box was impressed. Your packaging and letters for care of my knife and the thank you letter impressed me. The communication was flawless just like the quality of the knife.  Your A jewel in the knife industry waiting to be found.  Black Mamba and Mark made this the easiest and best purchase i have ever made. I will be back for  another very soon. Not only good looking but works flawless in the field.

P/S if your looking don't go past these knifes they are well priced and quality is way above price. Buy a Black mamba you won’t be unhappy.

Erin M

        

Erin M
Erin M

i couldn’t be more pleased with my Black Mamba knife. It is a masterpiece and completely flawless. Finding a quality, hand made in the USA with pride product at a great price with good customer service is almost impossible. I feel very lucky to have stumbled onto Mark’s shop, and we will be customers for as long as he keeps hammering them out. Mark is very personable and communicative throughout the whole process until the product gets to your door. Thanks again Mark, and please don’t retire for a while we have more work for you!

DARREN WEBSTER
DARREN WEBSTER

I gave it to him last night and he absolutely loved it! Thank you again for everything, I could not ask for a better knife for my dad. Black Mamba YOU ROCK !!!

FRANK CEBALLOS
FRANK CEBALLOS

I have just purchased my fourth BMK knife- one KaBar and three Persian Yumas. I've got to say, these knives are pure works of art. The Damascus blades are outstanding and Mark also puts a lot of effort in the scales. I have been a collector for 42 years and own 954 knives. I will be buying more of these as they enhance my collection. I have read some other reviews and understand they are as functional as they are great looking. I am a big fan of Damascus blades and I can say these are second to none. Mark has hit the "Mark" when it comes to making a great knife. If you want a great knife and great service from Mark, you gotta get a BMK knife-you will not be disappointed

.

Ken Martin
Ken Martin

Mark knife arrived this Am .The pictures on your site do not do it justice..this is a thing of beauty!!! Absolutely love it and so happy i decided to give you my business.. you are an artist and so easy to do business with.  thanks again for such a nice piece of work.. I cant stop looking at it... happy memorial day to you  and all your veteran brother and sisters!

respectfully

Pete

   

Pete Fremont
Pete Fremont

Beastly Beautiful...
What do you get when you cross a jeweler with a bladesmith? You get Black Mamba Knives, and some of the finest work you’ll ever see in the art of knife making. Their name came across my desk while we were deciding who to invite to the 2018 Gear Review Expeditions. Having never seen their work, I took a look at their website, and then reached out. I’ll tell you up front, I’m glad we did. The first thing that grabs you is the beauty of the knives that Mark Kovalsky, owner of Black Mamba, makes. But it’s no wonder they are so attractive. As Kovalsky puts it, I’m a Jeweler by trade, and own a custom jewelry shop. Now it makes sense!
His take on using Damascus is tried and true, which is evident in his version of the iconic Ka-Bar you see here. Forged in his shop in northern Illinois, the Ka-Bar is Damascus made from 1095 High Carbon and 15n20. it comes in at a rock solid rating of 58-60 HRC. The Handle is made of over 150-200 stacked separate pieces of leather and epoxied together. Then machined to put the grooves in the handle. The tang is full and threaded at the end so the end cap can be screwed on with no movement and epoxied in place so it will not loosen or come off. I asked how he arrived at taking on the Ka-Bar design, and this is what he had to say: “I was making a knife for a disabled marine who lost his knife in the field when he was shot in Iraq. He introduced me to another marine who he met in Iraq and the second Marine told me about a man in the company that he served with that saved his life in Iraq and he said to me I want a special gift to give him. I said to him what about the original military knife a KA-BAR. He said, ‘so tell me more’. I told him I would make a KA-Bar by hand, using a very nice Damascus pattern, and he said ‘I have never seen a KA-bar in Damascus’. Thus came the first creation of the KA-BAR in Damascus.”
But are they more than just eye-candy? You betcha they are! Unlike most of our Bench Tests, we put this Ka-Bar through some pretty rugged tests that are normally reserved for our Field Tests Reviews. I knew marking was wanting to know how his work stood up. The end result was that I came away feeling very confident about the knife’s performance in real-world situations. And if I’m being honest, when I first unboxed the knife the weight on it concerned me...it is light and nimble in the hand. But once I started working with the knife, I fell in love with everything about it. The stacked leather on the full tang handle is very solid, which I attribute to his attention to the assembly using the threaded stud at the end of the tang. Rocky was a bit concerned that it wouldn’t hold up when using it to strike and smash. I think I just heard Mark cringe! Don’t worry Mark, it’s as solid now as the day it left your shop. I would recommend this knife in a heartbeat...especially for bikers and military personnel.
The second knife Kovalsky submitted reminds me a lot of a modified Tracker...with a Jewelers twist. I asked Mark to give me the history of this guy. “The Persian Yuma. It was just a thought of making something colorful. When it was completed to me it looked like Arizona where my cousin lives so it became Yuma ie Yuma Arizona and then a friend said that most Persian made knives had jeweled handles or spacers and it reminded him of Persian knives so it became the Persian Yuma. I have made this style in lapiz and jade. I also want to try this with lab created opal spacers which are very colorful . Blade is over 325 layers of 1095 High carbon and 15n20 steels with an 58-60 HRC. The handle is natural Stag, polished at the end to fit flat against the end cap, with turquoise spacers. The turquoise spacers are in disk form for structure and strength and the steel around it is built like a cage...the turquoise is notched so the cage lays flat inside it. The tang is full and threaded at the end so the end cap threads on to it and then epoxied in place like this I get a tight fit with no movement and the epoxy keeps it in place for ever. “
Although different in many obvious ways from the Ka-Bar, what they both have in common is quality, durability, and superb craftsmanship. The attention to even the smallest of details is evident from the point down to the pummel. In my hand the knife was well balanced with a comfortable and stable grip, giving me a confidence with this knife that it wouldn’t fatigue my hand by the end of the day.
We performed the same exact tasks with the Yuma as we did the Ka-Bar...and the results were the same. Feather sticks were tight and curled, notching was very easy, and the knife stood up to some heavy battoning well. When I came back to the bench I thought it would be interesting to how the edge held up. The paper test proved my suspicions...the blade cut smooth with no rips, tears or jagged edges. Feeling down the cutting edge I could find no inclusions or burrs.
Although I prefer larger knives when in the bush, the style and performance of the Yuma with its 4 1/2 inch blade wouldn’t deter me from putting on my side. It is as rugged as the Ka-Bar, and performed just as well. Oh, and did I mention how good this thing looks. And by the way, take a look at the sheath these come with. As beautiful and functional as the blades that rests in them.
The Beauty of these 2 Beasts are only out-shined by their performance under tests!
Out Of The Box: 1 Ka-Bar with custom Sheath. 1 Yuma Persian with custom Sheath.
The Design: Ka-Bar: It’s a no brainier. If you know the classic Ka-Bar, you’ll get the design of Kovalsky’s knife. Yuma: As mentioned above, I believe the bones of the Yuma were inspired by the classic Tracker design.
Features As Reviewed: Both knives are made of fine Damascus, are both full-tanged, and both come with a custom leather sheath. Other than shape and size, the difference up front on these two are their handles. One is a stacked leather system, and the other is stag with real turquoise spaces.
Price Point as Tested: Ka-Bar is $299 with Sheath / Yuma is $299 with Sheath (Knives of this quality regularly go for between $650-$1200)

Conclusion: The people I can see being interested in owning this knife range from serious collectors to military, to hunters and outdoors man. They’re both great as an EDC knife and would perform well in any situation where they are deployed. I’m particularly fond of the Ka-Bar because of its size and weight. I prefer the scout carry, especially when I’m on the scooter. This knife would do well for any Biker who carries knife out in the bush. It can perform tasks such as chopping, splitting, feathering, and processing game. The Yuma, it’s the Ka-Bars little brother, and the same can be said of it as well.
Contact Black Mamba for more info and to order today. Lead time is about 6 weeks on all his knives. PS: I look for the price of all his knives to go up once our articles and videos become available in the late fall after our return.
Ride Free...Live Free

Tony
Tony

Mark thank you so much for my skinner . It performs so well I would reccomend the black mamba Brand to everyone. Not only is your damascus beautiful but preforms well ... again thank you Josh

Josh
Josh

Hey Mark. Merry Christmas. I just wanted to know I field tested the Persian you made me. I field dressed and completely quartered and deboned a buck I shot yesterday and the blade preformed flawlessly. It’s still razor sharp.

jacob
jacob
Amazon customer
Amazon customer
chicago lou
chicago lou
andy
andy