Anza Knife Company

Anza founder Charlie Davis starting making high carbon steel knives from files and the beginnings of his company from 1980-1982. Charlie chooses to make his knives from files because a file is an excellent source of high carbon tool steel.

Through a process called annealing, he removes the brittleness normally found in a file. The knives are then hand ground to shape, a handle, commonly known as Dymondwood is then added, and final finishing; polishing and sharpening are then completed. The final result is a beautifully made knife that will both hold an edge and sharpen easily.

His knives are so sharp and hold an edge so well, they have become a favorite among guides and outfitters, hunters, backpackers, and fishermen. They are also widely used as a utility knife by the "workingman". All Anza Knives are handmade; each one is different in its own way. This is one reason Anza Knives are very popular among collectors.

Each Anza Knife is furnished with it's own leather sheath. In order to maintain the quality that goes into each Anza Knife, they generally make the knives as they are ordered. Charlie said they do not compromise quality in order to ship the knives in a hurry. If for any reason, within one year of purchasing your Anza knife you are not completely satisfied with its workmanship, utility or durability, you may send it to our plant and either have the deficiency corrected or replaced with a knife of equal or greater value. Anza has been committed to providing top handmade affordable knives for the sportsman and collector.

Plaza Cutlery at South Coast Plaza

After leaving the military in the fall of 1974, Dan helped his Father and Mother opened Plaza Cutlery in South Coast Plaza which is located in Costa Mesa California. To say Plaza Cutlery turned the knife industry upside down is an understatement. Those first few years were such a blur! Unfortunately, Dad passed away in August of 1976 and Mom took his place with W. R. Case and Sons Cutlery as the first female sales person for a major knife Company. Dad was a very successful salesman in the hardware industry and in August of 1959 took over as the sales representative for the west coast for W.R. Case and Son’s Cutlery.  

Plaza Cutlery was so successful it spared many copy cats; Shaver World, became Cutlery World, Hoffritz moved into shopping centers and many small chains opened. A few were friends who we helped but many spent days out in front of our store watching. It’s always said location, location and location! The big advantage we had was South Coast Plaza. The Segerstrom family also progressed to move “SCP” into one of the top 5 shopping destinations in the world which continues today. Plaza Cutlery is now one of the longest running stores next to Sears and See’s Candies in “SCP” and Dan has most likely been in the center longer than anyone else at this time.  

Also during these many years Dan’s love of knives lead to the start of the “California Custom Knife Show” and a few years later the “Hawaii Knife Show”.  The “CCKS” is one of the longest running shows in the country. The show continues to do well. The Hawaii Show was always a show of love, as both Dan and Pam love Hawaii and the people there. We have just recently turned it over to someone local in Hawaii to run, but will always help. Also over the years Dan has helped many custom knife makers and manufactures. In promoting knives in Plaza Cutlery, we have made many collectors as only a store in a heavy traffic area can. In “SCP” there is the opportunity for the public to see the quality of knives and a wide verity for every interest. It’s a shame so many stores are now gone as there is not many ways to introduce the public to the knife industry which will hurt in the long run. 

Dan always promoted knives in a positive way and also insisted treating the customer like we would want to be treated. For 44 years, it has worked.   

Gus Marsh at Knife Expo 2017

Had a great time with my wife Charlotte at Knife Expo 2017 in Pasadena, CA, a two day event. Sold several knives and saw lots of old friends.

Knife Expo 2017

Knife Expo 2017, Southern California’s Oldest and Finest Knife Show, Our 32^nd year.

This new two-day format is March 25 & 26, 2017 at the Pasadena Convention Center, 300 East Green Street, Pasadena, CA. The hours are Saturday 10am – 5pm and Sunday 10am – 4pm.

The show features continuous raffles daily with hundreds of valuable prizes. Demonstrations and presentations both days, including knife forging, knife grinding, rope cutting, wood carving and professional knife sharpener.

Visit www.knifeexpo.net for parking and box office tickets are $12.00 cash only.

For membership and meeting information visit www.scblades.org