Derby City Blades

Where Craftsmanship Meets Creative Curiosity

Some makers spend years planning their path into the knife world.

For Derick Duncanson, it started with a simple desire to create something new.

After nearly two decades designing and building custom signs, structural art, and large-scale fabrication projects, Derick decided to try his hand at knife making. What began as a creative challenge quickly became an obsession. Within months, he was producing custom knives that were turning heads throughout the maker community, and Derby City Blades was born.

Based in Louisville, Kentucky—better known as Derby City—Derick brings a unique perspective to every piece he creates. His background in design and fabrication taught him how to work with materials, solve problems, and bring ideas to life. Knife making became a natural extension of those skills, offering a new canvas for creativity and craftsmanship.

What makes Derby City Blades stand out isn’t a commitment to doing things the traditional way. It’s a commitment to constant improvement.

Derick often speaks about his goal of learning something new every day, and that mindset is woven into his work. Each knife reflects a maker who is continually refining his craft, exploring new materials, experimenting with finishes, and pushing himself to become better with every build.

That spirit of exploration is especially evident in his approach to finishing. While many makers pursue perfectly polished surfaces, Derick often embraces finishes that showcase character and craftsmanship. Whether working with premium steels, striking Damascus patterns, or carefully selected handle materials, his knives feel personal—built by hand, meant to be used, and designed to develop a story of their own over time.

At the heart of Derby City Blades is a genuine appreciation for the process itself.