Knives were first made from stones and flint before bronze and iron blades showed up thanks to techniques pioneered by the Romans.
For many years, the oldest known blades dated back as far as 380,000 years. The knife-like tools were found by archeologists in the Middle East and Europe and suggested Neandertals created early versions of the knives we have today. However, more recent discoveries in Africa suggest knives could have existed more than 500,000 years ago. The incredible discovery prompted scientists to question if knife-like tools were created by an unidentified human ancestor.
Today, the world’s most expensive blades are more recognizable as knives. These sharp tools can cost thousands or even millions depending on their age, materials, and rarity.
Here are the top 10 most expensive knives in the world.
- Ouroboros
- A Naval Dirk From the Period of Catherine II
- The Nesmuk Diamond Studded Kitchen Knife
- The Parasol Handle Knife
- Anthony Bourdain’s Knife
- A Rare Imperial Knife with a White Jadeite Scabbard
- Theodore Roosevelt’s Hunting Knife
- A Gold and Turquoise-Hilted Knife From the 16th Century
- An Imperial Hunting Knife From the Qianlong Period
- The Gem of the Orient
Origin: The U.S.A.
Time Period: 21st century (current)
Interesting Fact: This knife features 24-karat gold details
photo source: williamhenry.com
Ouroboros is a pocket knife made by William Henry. The design includes gold details on the handle along with copper inlays. The blade itself is hand-forged and features a one-hand button lock system.
As a blade from William Henry, Ouroboros is built in the U.S. with materials sourced worldwide.
Ouroboros gets its name from its design. The ouroboros symbol, which depicts a snake eating its own tale to create a circle, is from ancient Egypt and Greece. Although its meaning can change depending on the context, historic interpretations of the symbol say it’s emblematic of unity between all things.
Did you know?
Ouroboros includes natural spinel, a gemstone known for its glassy appearance.
Origin: Russia
Time Period: 18th century
Interesting Fact: This blade is made of steel
photo source: christies.com
This knife comes from the period of Catherine II, also known as Catherine the Great.
Known as a “naval dirk,” this knife would have been used by navy officers for personal protection or hand-to-hand combat. One side of the steel blade is stamped with the Imperial arms of Catherine II while the other features an anchor, indicating its use by the navy under Empress Catherine.
When this knife was sold by Christie’s auction house in 2008, experts estimated its value to be around $8,000 at most. Those estimates proved incorrect when the final price nearly hit $30,000.
Did you know?
This knife was sold alongside its black leather sheath.
Origin: Germany
Time Period: 21st century (current)
Interesting Fact: This knife comes with a diamond ring
photo source: luxurylaunches.com
Nesmuk is a high-end knife maker based in Germany. Although the company typically sells more traditional high-end knives, Nesmuk released an absurdly expensive diamond-studded blade in 2009. The luxury tool features a carbon steel blade and a sterling silver handle. Buyers were presented with the blade in a sleek box and given a diamond ring to really amp up the luxury.
Altogether, Nesmuk’s unique knife and ring set has a price tag of about $40,000.
Did you know?
If you’re into luxury chef knives, you might recognize the characteristic Nesmuk blade shape. The brand based its standard blade on a real, 3,500-year-old knife and uses traditional craftsmanship techniques to maintain its look.
Origin: St. Petersburg, Russia
Time Period: 19th century
Interesting Fact: This knife gets its value from its unique handle
photo source: christies.com
The focus of this knife is really its handle.
The chalcedony handle was attached to a parasol before it was mounted on this gardening knife. Handles like this were carved by hand and date back to the 1890s. This particular example was made by a Russian Jeweler named Michael Perchin in St. Petersburg.
After earning an estimated value of at least $60,000, this unique knife sold for a whopping $84,000. The auction was held by Christie’s in November 2021 and established the blade among the most expensive knives in the world.
Did you know?
This particular chalcedony parasol handle was carved to resemble a snail.
Origin: The U.S.A
Time Period: 21st century (current)
Interesting Fact: This knife sold as part of a lot that went for $1.8 million
photo source: luxurylaunches.com
Anthony Bourdain’s Kramer knife sold for $231,250 as part of a $1.8 million lot containing a variety of the late chef’s possessions.
This knife was made by Bob Kramer, a swordsmith working in the U.S.
Kramer’s kitchen knives are considered some of the best in the world — and their price reflects that. Although Anthony Bourdain’s knife sold for way more than a standard Kramer knife, the swordsmith’s blades still easily sell for thousands of dollars.
Bob Kramer’s knives are made in the U.S. in Bob’s personal workshop. Despite his success, Kramer’s business remains a small effort run by himself, his wife, and a small team.
Did you know?
This knife was sold alongside 201 other items owned by Bourdain after his death in 2018.
Origin: China
Time Period: 18th century
Interesting Fact: This knife would have been used by a Manchu man
photo source: christies.com
This rare knife from the 18th century features an intricately carved white jadeite scabbard. The beautiful design dates back to the Qing Dynasty, the final imperial dynasty in China.
This knife was likely used by a Manchu man during meals. These people often used special knives while eating as a sign of their identity.
After going up for auction at Christie’s auction house in November 2011, this knife earned its place among the most expensive knives in the world with a sale price of over $300,000.
Did you know?
Christie’s estimated this knife would sell for between HKD 2,000,000 – HKD 3,000,000. That’s about $250,000 – $385,000.
Origin: Massachusetts, U.S.A.
Time Period: 20th century
Interesting Fact: This knife was made by J. Russell & Co.
photo source: rockislandauction.com
In the early 1900s, President Theodore Roosevelt was given a hunting knife. The knife was created by J. Russell & Co. of Massachusetts and given to the President by his friend and New York State Supreme Court Justice James W. Gerard. The knife reportedly cost $1,250 — about $33,266 in today’s money.
In 2016, the historic knife went up for auction and fetched an impressive $414,000. The blade was expected to sell for about $100,000 less, but bidders pushed the price high enough to make Theodore Roosevelt’s hunting knife the fourth most expensive knife in the world.
Did you know?
The design on this knife’s handle is made from gold and platinum.
Origin: The Ottoman Empire (modern-day Turkey)
Time Period: 16th century
Interesting Fact: This knife has a watered steel blade
photo source: christies.com
This knife comes from the 16th century in the Ottoman Empire (modern-day Turkey). The knife features a gold and turquoise hilt with intricate details depicting flying birds. According to Christie’s auction house, the techniques used to create this knife were reserved for a few select items — all of which have royal origins.
As such a rare and old item, this knife was expected to sell for at least $500,000. The final price came out to about $619,000.
Did you know?
This knife was clearly made by an expert knifesmith, but it’s even more impressive when you consider the gold laid over the turquoise of the hilt. Turquoise is notoriously difficult to work with since it tends to crack and discolor under heat, so adding details with molten gold would have been extremely difficult.
Origin: China
Time Period: 18th century
Interesting Fact: This knife is paired with a rhinoceros horn scabbard
photo source: sothebys.com
This unique knife from the Qianlong period features an antelope horn hilt and a blade made from steel.
Interestingly, the base of the hilt opens to reveal a compartment for holding chopsticks and a toothpick.
The blade is paired with a rhinoceros horn scabbard and sold for over $1 million at a Sotheby’s auction.
According to Sotheby’s, knife hilts made from antelope horns are very rare. These knives were likely used for hunting when they were first designed, but they eventually became part of the Manchu ceremonial attire.
Did you know?
These knives were also used at meals to indicate the user’s Manchu identity.
Origin: The U.S.A.
Time Period: 20th century
Interesting Fact: This knife took 10 years to complete
photo source: commons.wikimedia.org
The Gem of the Orient is the most expensive knife in the world.
The Gem of the Orient was created by Buster Warenski, an American knife-maker known for his “art knives” that often incorporated expensive materials like gold and emeralds. One of his last major designs was The Gem of the Orient, an intricate creation featuring over 150 emeralds, nine diamonds, gold, and jade. The knife is one of Buster’s Legacy Knives, a set of blades that are considered his defining work.
Estimates vary, but The Gem of the Orient is reportedly worth as much as $2.1 million.
Did you know?
Almost all of Buster Warenski’s Legacy Knives were sole-authorship — meaning Buster impressively made them entirely by himself.
