"All I've ever wanted to do was make. Learning to make thoughtful tools and art has been far more fulfilling than my previous role of making simple parts."

Meet The Makers

Niko Nicolaides - Michigan

A CNC programmer and operator in manufacturing until several years ago, Niko Nicolaides pivoted from his previous career, moving in a decidedly analog and hand-craft direction to focus his talents exclusively on bladesmithing and the creation of custom chef knives. Damascus making and blade forging are the focal points of Niko's work, experienced most often in the form of integral-construction damascus kitchen knives. Natural handle materials shaped in Western fashion with subtle, purposeful details adorn the hand-forged blades, each knife bringing its own unique look and feel. At his shop in Detroit, Michigan, Niko now creates the tools that he dreamed of using as a cook in his high school and college days, at a level he may never have imagined back then. Thin, balanced, and beautiful, Niko produces outstanding knives for professional and home cooks alike.

From The Archives

    Archive
    Ball Bearing Chef 175mm
    Niko Nicolaides
    Ball Bearing Chef 175mm
    Archive
    Floral Weave Mosaic Chef 205mm
    Niko Nicolaides
    Floral Weave Mosaic Chef 205mm
    Archive
    Mun Ebony Damascus Chef 215mm
    Niko Nicolaides
    Mun Ebony Damascus Chef 215mm
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    Weaving Wormholes Cleaver 160mm
    Niko Nicolaides
    Weaving Wormholes Cleaver 160mm
    Archive
    Dark Waters Mosaic Petty 165mm
    Niko Nicolaides
    Dark Waters Mosaic Petty 165mm
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    Karelian Mosaic Bunka 182mm
    Niko Nicolaides
    Karelian Mosaic Bunka 182mm
    Archive
    Purple Zebra Damascus Chef 249mm
    Niko Nicolaides
    Purple Zebra Damascus Chef 249mm
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    Spalted Tamarind Chef 243mm
    Niko Nicolaides
    Spalted Tamarind Chef 243mm
    Archive
    Electric Connections Chef 182mm
    Niko Nicolaides
    Electric Connections Chef 182mm
    Archive
    Coral Damasteel Gyuto  210mm
    Niko Nicolaides
    Coral Damasteel Gyuto 210mm
    Archive
    Tamarind Damascus Chef 250mm
    Niko Nicolaides
    Tamarind Damascus Chef 250mm
    Archive
    Denim Damasteel Bunka 216mm
    Niko Nicolaides
    Denim Damasteel Bunka 216mm
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    Ruby Red Mosaic Chef 225mm
    Niko Nicolaides
    Ruby Red Mosaic Chef 225mm
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    Marbled Collage Petty Chef 150mm
    Niko Nicolaides
    Marbled Collage Petty Chef 150mm
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    Barbed Mosaic Chef 227mm
    Niko Nicolaides
    Barbed Mosaic Chef 227mm
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    Ball Bearing Utility Slicer 135mm
    Niko Nicolaides
    Ball Bearing Utility Slicer 135mm
    Archive
    Blackwood Mosaic Santoku 150mm
    Niko Nicolaides
    Blackwood Mosaic Santoku 150mm
    Archive
    Koa Twist Gyuto 195mm
    Niko Nicolaides
    Koa Twist Gyuto 195mm
    Archive
    Dense W's Bullnose Butcher 210mm
    Niko Nicolaides
    Dense W's Bullnose Butcher 210mm
    Archive
    Rosewood San Mai Chef 190mm
    Niko Nicolaides
    Rosewood San Mai Chef 190mm
    Archive
    Peacock Damascus Petty 150mm
    Niko Nicolaides
    Peacock Damascus Petty 150mm
    Archive
    Maroon Ball Bearing Chef 205mm
    Niko Nicolaides
    Maroon Ball Bearing Chef 205mm
    Archive
    Marbled San Mai Hankotsu 150mm
    Niko Nicolaides
    Marbled San Mai Hankotsu 150mm
    Archive
    Fawn Damascus Chef 220mm
    Niko Nicolaides
    Fawn Damascus Chef 220mm