FAQs

We are an awesome knife website operated by a team of professionals with a passion for all things with an edge who are happy to help you find your next blade 

PVK stands for Pioneer Valley Knife, shortened from its original name Pioneer Valley Knife and Tool when the company was founded more than 3 decades ago in 1994 in Amherst Massachusetts.

We are! PVK works directly with many amazing manufacturers and custom makers.

Yes they are!

PVK lives in Hudson, NH 45 minutes northwest of Boston, MA. We operate a showroom that is open to the public 10-5pm M-F. 

We are always happy to help and answer questions, call us directly 702-704-4069 or email us at info@pvk.com.

You will receive an order confirmation email.

A small amount of orders do go through extra checks and require additional processing time, in the event you do need to cancel your order please call the shop directly 702-704-4069.

All of this information can be found in your account under order status. You can also call the shop and we can help 702-704-4069.

• Pending: Order has been placed and is in review
• Manual Verification Required: We will reach out before shipment is cleared
• Awaiting Fulfillment: Order has passed review and is being picked
• Awaiting Shipment: Our shipping team is packing your order
• Shipped: A label has been purchased and tracking number has been issued (Please note this does not always mean the order has been picked up)

All orders that are placed M-F and clear checks are shipped the same day.

Our order shipping cutoff for same day shipping is 3pm eastern standard time.

We do not, orders placed after 3pm Friday through the weekend will ship Monday.

Yes! All orders $150 and up qualify for free shipping.

FedEx, UPS and USPS (You can choose at checkout).

No, orders do not require signature unless you request that service.

You have 14 days from delivery to request a return and or exchange. To start this process please email info@pvk.com with your order number.

Returns are subject to a restocking fee of 10% this fee is waived for exchanges and store credit. There are many costs involved with making sure you get the best possible experience. Processing payments, labor in pulling and packing your order, packing materials and more, this restocking fee covers a small portion of those associated costs.

In the event you do need to cancel an order, please call the shop directly at 702-704-4069 cancellations are subject to a 5% fee. This covers the credit card transaction fees we pay to process your order.

No. Shipping fees are paid directly to the carriers, these funds are almost never recoverable. Delivery estimates, Weather issues, Holidays, Force Majeure and Godzilla, all of these services are working hard to get packages to you.

For returns, we do not refund the cost of your initial shipping and if your order qualified for free shipping, this cost is considered in the refund process.

PVK accepts traditional cards directly through the website including Visa, Mastercard, Discovery and American Express. We also offer “Buy now, Pay later” services through Sezzle (Modern layaway).

We do indeed! Sezzle is a great way to get what you want now and pay for it later. By using Sezzle we get paid upfront for the item and we ship the same day to you. Then you negotiate 0 interest payments over time with them.

Unfortunately not, once the order is settled and payment accepted the transaction is closed.

Absolutely! Friends and loved ones actually love gift certificates from PVK, this is an excellent way to spread the knife love.

Yes, we appreciate everyone on the front lines of freedom and protection. Please see our page about getting registered on PVK for a discount.

We work directly with many many manufacturers and makers and are always happy to help facilitate warranty work and repairs. 

Yes!

Great question! Each manufacturer warranty is a little different, most are listed on their respective websites but we are happy to help, you can always email questions to info@pvk.com.

We do offer sharpening services, if you are local and need an edge touched up, swing by the showroom and we are happy to help out. At this time we do not offer mail in sharpening. 

If you have a knife that needs repair or a switchblade that needs spring replacement send an email with pictures (we’ve got you back) info@pvk.com.

An OTF knife, or “out-the-front” knife, deploys the blade straight forward out of the front of the handle. Many OTF knives are automatic, meaning the blade opens with a thumb slide or button. Some OTF models are double-action, meaning the same control deploys and retracts the blade.

An OTS knife, or “out-the-side” automatic, opens from the side of the handle like a traditional folding knife, but the blade is deployed by pressing a button or release.

An assisted-opening knife is not fully automatic. The user begins opening the blade manually with a thumb stud, flipper, or opening hole, and an internal spring assists the blade the rest of the way.

A manual knife has no spring-powered deployment. The blade is opened completely by hand using a thumb stud, flipper, nail nick, thumb hole, or similar opening method.

For a deeper breakdown, see our complete guide to OTF knives and automatic knives.

A balisong, also known as a butterfly knife, is a folding knife with two handles that rotate around the blade. When closed, the handles cover the blade. When opened, the handles swing around and lock together to form the grip.

Balisongs are popular with collectors, flippers, martial arts enthusiasts, and knife-history fans. Some are built as functional cutting tools, while others are designed primarily for flipping, training, or collection. Trainer balisongs use an unsharpened practice blade and are a good choice for learning basic manipulation safely.

PVK carries balisongs ranging from entry-level trainers to premium production and custom butterfly knives.

The best everyday carry knife depends on how you plan to use it.

For most people, a good EDC knife should be comfortable to carry, easy to open, legal in your area, and built with a blade steel and handle material that fit your daily tasks. A lightweight manual folder is often the simplest choice. An automatic knife or OTF can be excellent if you want fast one-handed deployment. A smaller fixed blade may also work well for outdoor or work use.

When choosing an EDC knife, consider blade length, weight, pocket clip position, lock type, handle texture, blade steel, and whether you prefer manual, assisted, automatic, or OTF action.

There is no single “best” EDC knife for everyone. The right knife is the one you will actually carry, use, and maintain.

For a first-time automatic knife buyer, we usually recommend starting with a reliable, easy-to-use model from a proven brand.

A good first automatic should have a comfortable button or thumb slide, a practical blade shape, solid lockup, and a size that makes sense for everyday carry. Out-the-side automatics are often simple and familiar because they open like traditional folding knives. OTF knives are also very popular because they deploy and retract quickly with one hand.

Popular first-time automatic knife brands include Microtech, Pro-Tech, Kershaw, Heretic, Guardian Tactical, Hogue, Benchmade, and other trusted makers.

A production knife is made in larger quantities by a knife company using standardized manufacturing. Production knives offer consistency, availability, and strong value. Many production knives today are extremely well made.

A mid-tech knife sits between production and custom. Mid-tech knives usually involve a combination of CNC machining, small-batch production, and hand finishing. They are often made in smaller numbers than standard production knives and may include more direct involvement from the maker or designer.

A custom knife is made by an individual maker or small shop, often in very limited numbers. Custom knives may include hand-ground blades, hand-fitted parts, exotic materials, custom finishes, engraving, and unique design details. No two custom knives are always exactly alike.

Production knives are usually the best value for everyday users. Mid-tech and custom knives appeal to collectors, enthusiasts, and buyers looking for something more limited, personal, or handmade.

The best blade steel depends on how you use your knife.

If you want low maintenance and good corrosion resistance, look for stainless steels such as S35VN, S45VN, MagnaCut, M390, 20CV, Elmax, 154CM, or similar premium stainless options.

If you want toughness for hard use, outdoor work, or fixed blades, steels such as 3V, CruWear, D2, 1095, A2, and other tool or carbon steels may be worth considering. Some of these steels need more care to prevent rust.

If you want a collectible or visually striking blade, Damascus steel, Damasteel, or pattern-welded steel may be a great choice, especially on customs, automatics, stilettos, and presentation knives.

Blade steel is important, but it is not the only thing that matters. Heat treatment, blade geometry, edge thickness, grind, and intended use all affect performance. For a deeper explanation, see our Knife Steel guide.

A plain edge blade has one continuous sharpened edge. It is the most versatile choice for everyday cutting, slicing, sharpening, food prep, cardboard, packaging, and general utility.

A fully serrated blade has teeth all along the cutting edge. Serrations work well for cutting rope, straps, fibrous material, cardboard, and other tough materials where a plain edge may slip. Serrated blades can keep cutting aggressively even when somewhat dull, but they are harder to sharpen.

A partially serrated blade combines a plain edge section with a serrated section. This gives the user both clean slicing ability and aggressive cutting power in one blade. Partially serrated knives are popular for work, rescue, tactical, and utility use.

For most everyday users, a plain edge is the easiest to maintain. For rope, straps, emergency use, or aggressive cutting, serrations can be extremely useful.

Basic knife maintenance will help your knife last longer and perform better.

Keep the blade clean and dry after use. Wipe off moisture, fingerprints, tape residue, dirt, and food. If your knife uses carbon steel, tool steel, Damascus, or any steel that is not fully stainless, apply a light coat of oil when needed to help prevent corrosion.

Keep the pivot or action area clean. For folding knives and automatics, avoid over-oiling. Too much oil can attract dirt and lint. Use only a small amount of appropriate knife oil if the action feels dry.

Keep the edge sharp. A dull knife is less effective and can be less safe because it requires more force to cut. Use a quality sharpening system, strop, or professional sharpening service when needed.

Do not use your knife as a pry bar, screwdriver, chisel, punch, or can opener unless it was specifically designed for that kind of abuse. Misuse can damage the blade, tip, lock, pivot, handle, or automatic mechanism.

For OTF knives and automatic knives, keep the blade channel free of debris. If an OTF misfires or goes off track, follow the manufacturer’s instructions before trying to force the blade.

Good maintenance is simple: keep it clean, keep it dry, keep it sharp, and use the knife for cutting.