About the Maker

About the Maker

Josh Careatti | Careatti Coltelleria

My connection to metalworking began in childhood. My father has been a blacksmith since the 1970s, specializing in architectural, traditional reproduction, and artistic ironwork. I grew up helping him in his shop and began forging steel at a young age. Those early experiences gave me a lasting appreciation for traditional craftsmanship and the creative possibilities of working with metal.

I later graduated from the sculpture program at Virginia Commonwealth University, where I continued to explore form, design, and materials. For more than two decades, I’ve worked professionally in metalworking, welding, and the design and fabrication of fine furniture. That experience has deepened my appreciation for precision, thoughtful construction, and the relationship between beauty and function.

Knifemaking brings these interests together. It combines the artistic exploration of sculpture, the precision of fine furniture fabrication, and the traditional forging techniques I learned growing up.

At Careatti Coltelleria, I focus on handcrafted kitchen knives made primarily from pattern-welded Damascus and San Mai steel. Each knife is made individually or in small batches, with careful attention to blade geometry, balance, and detail. I enjoy working with beautifully figured woods, ebony, and contrasting metals to create knives that are as distinctive as they are functional.

The name Careatti Coltelleria reflects my Italian family heritage and appreciation for the traditions of fine cutlery. My work draws on those traditions while allowing room for experimentation and my own approach to design.

Above all, I believe a well-made knife should be both a dependable tool and an object of lasting beauty. My goal is to make knives that are a pleasure to use, thoughtfully crafted, and made to last.

Josh Careatti
Careatti Coltelleria
Virginia, USA