CHAVES HAS YOU COVERED

These Knives Hold Their Own in Any Lineup

- COREY DECKER

Let’s cut straight to the point—these aren’t your average knives. With roots in custom knifemaking going back to 2010, Ramon Chaves has built a legacy and his blades have become a staple for both collectors and blue-collar folks who put their tools to work.

From Albuquerque to Worldwide

Ramon started crafting custom blades in Albuquerque, New Mexico, making every piece by hand. As his name gained traction in the knife world, he wanted to produce blades that more people could get their hands on without the premium price tag of a custom. Enter Chaves Ultramar, a production line born out of a partnership with Reate Knives, one of the best OEM manufacturers in the game. Think of Reate as the Toyota of knifemaking—top-notch quality and reliability.

“Ultramar” means “worldwide” in Portuguese, a fitting name for a line designed to reach the masses. Fast forward to today, the Ultramar name has been retired for SEO and branding purposes, and the company has evolved into simply Chaves Knives. With the rebrand came upgrades and three distinct labels: Red Label, Blue Label, and Black Label. Ramon Chaves also made a major move, relocating his family and shop to Pleasant Grove, Utah, where he continues to innovate and grow Chaves Knives. Let’s break it down.

Red Label: Built Like a Tank

The Red Label is Chaves Knives’ bread and butter. These are your premium, overbuilt knives made to take on anything you throw at them. With stonewashed titanium frames and M390 steel blades, they’re as tough as they come.