Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Santa Fe Stoneworks Process?
1. Rock cutting - All rock and shell are bought in their raw form and cut to the desired shape on a bank of Diamond saws ranging in diameter from 6" to 10". Choosing the prettiest stone or shell is very important in this function, as "if a stone is ugly, you can do everything right, but it is still ugly. If it is beautiful, you can do everything wrong but it is still beautiful". The best of course is what we strive for-beautiful stone executed beautifully!
2. Assembly - Here is where the real art is. All stone/shell are hand sanded and hand fit onto a panel. This is then sanded and fitted for the particular knife. Then the panel is clamped down on the knife with a proprietary adhesive. Designs are pre-planned and executed by craftsmen that have worked here, some for over 28 years.
3. Hafting - this is the process of shaping the handle to conform to the knife shape. The handle and knife are actually finished at the same time. We use many different types of grinders and flat sanders to achieve this. It is very satisfying to see a knife blank with a bunch of stone and shell glued to it, then bring it to life through the hafting process.
4. Finish - After the knife has been hafted, we then do a quality check for chips, cracks or flaws in the stone. Repairs are made and then the knife made ready for polishing on several Scotchbrite machines. The polishers are 30" Muslin wheels with jewelers rouges for the finish polish. The knife is then steam cleaned to remove any debris from going through the process. Quality Control-the knife is then inspected & oiled, made to "Walk & Talk" (Open and shut correctly) and bagged for shipping.
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What is your refund policy?
We do not offer cash returns but are happy to exchange any unused products. We offer a lifetime warranty to the original owner on all of our knives, tableware and accessories, and will repair any item that is defective in material or workmanship.
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What are the terms of warranty on my Santa Fe Stoneworks collectible?
Covered items are any parts proven to be defective in material or workmanship. Warranty term is as long as you own the product! Specifically excluded are problems due to misuse or abuse. To return defective cutlery, send it prepaid and insured to:
Santa Fe Stoneworks
3790 Cerrillos Road
Santa Fe, NM 87505
Attn: Customer Service
Please include $12 for return shipping & insurance. Please also Include your Contact information: Name, Return Address, Phone#, and Email.
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Do all your products have custom handles on both sides?
No, for affordability, all handles are one-sided unless otherwise specified. Most models can be double sided, for a reasonable 30-50% per-unit markup. Remember that our handles are painstakingly made by hand with the human touch, never created by machines in large factories.
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How do I sharpen my knife?
Use a good, medium/fine stone or steel, moistened with light oil.
Be sure to maintain the same angle for each stroke (we recommend a 20° angle for a good, general-purpose edge).
Count your honing strokes; then turn the blade over and hone with an equal number of strokes.
Start strokes with heavy pressure, then ease off to a lighter pressure and finish with a light stroke — both sides.
NOTE: Never use a power-driven grinding wheel to sharpen your knife. This can heat the blade to the point where its temper (a hardening process accomplished by heating and quenching) is damaged.
SERRATED MODELS: To sharpen a serrated blade (such as those found on our Spyderco® knives), it will be necessary to buy a sharpener designed specifically for this purpose. This you can buy through us or through any reputable cutlery shop. Be sure to ask for a sharpener made specifically for serrated blades!
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Is my cutlery dishwasher-safe?
NO. We do not encourage subjecting your cutlery to extremes of heat or long-term exposure to agitated water. Don’t leave any pieces soaking in dish water for extended periods of time. Don’t use scouring pads, cleansers, or any other abrasive product, as they may permanently mar the finish.
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How can I extend the useful life of my pocket knife?
An occasional drop of oil on the moving parts of a knife will ensure easier opening and closing, prevent rust, and lessen wear. Avoid getting sand, grit, lint, or other foreign particles in the mechanism. Keep blades clean and dry, and wipe clean with an oil-moistened cloth to prevent rust.
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How can I extend the useful life of my tableware and kitchen cutlery?
When not in use, keep your cutlery in the gift box in which it came. After use, wash the blade with soap and water, wipe down the handle with a soft cloth, and dry the piece before putting it away. Occasionally, wipe down the handle with a good quality, liquid furniture polish to maintain its luster. Never soak or Put your Cutlery in a Dishwasher.
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