The Ishtar
The Herman Ishtar represents a perfect fusion of ancient Persian artistry and modern knife-making precision. Inspired by the elegant upswept profiles of traditional Persian blades, each Ishtar embodies fluid design and exceptional balance, resulting in a knife that feels as graceful as it is capable. Handcrafted with meticulous attention to detail, it captures the harmony between tradition and innovation, where timeless form meets cutting-edge performance. Whether in hand or on display, the Ishtar exudes sophistication and intent, making it as much a statement piece as a high-performance tool.
Every element of the Ishtar’s construction reflects Herman Knives’ uncompromising pursuit of excellence. Ergonomically contoured handles provide superb comfort and control, while the use of M398 ensures elite cutting endurance. Each knife is individually tuned and hand-finished, offering flawless action and a perfectly balanced feel. More than a cutting instrument, the Herman Ishtar is a collector-grade masterpiece, a modern interpretation of Persian elegance, brought to life through world-class engineering and materials.
Every Herman is hand-built to a world-class standard. This example has black PVD coated, contour milled titanium scales with micro-milled 'hammered' pattern. The scales are internally milled for balance. The hardware is mirror polished and coated, looking like black pearls, the backspacer and pocketclip are precisely milled and the 'hammered' pattern continues through the pocketclip. The blade detent is precise and crisp, the blade glides into lockup on multi-row loose ceramic bearings. The milled liner-lock provides some of the very best acoustics in the game, opening this knife is a luxurious and addicting event in itself.
This knife is unused, un-carried and in pristine factory condition. As with every Herman it is complete with pouch, COA, custom pivot tool and spare pivot bearings.
Weight: 119 g (4.2 oz)
Overall length: 219 mm (8.62")
Blade length: 95 mm (3.74")
Length after folding: 123 mm (4.84")
"Sophisticated and refined." - Mr. Narwhal 
Bartosz Herman
Herman Knives represents the meeting point of precision engineering and modern artistry, the vision of Polish craftsman Bartosz Herman. Guided by an early fascination with design and mechanics, Herman turned his talent for building and problem-solving toward the creation of folding knives that blur the line between tool and sculpture. Working from his workshop in Łódź, Poland, he approaches each piece with the discipline of an engineer and the sensitivity of an artist, ensuring every knife is both functional and beautiful.
Herman knives are made in small numbers, each one finished by hand and defined by uncompromising attention to detail. Premium steels such as Böhler M390, Elmax and Damasteel are paired with Grade 5 titanium handles, creating an extraordinary balance of strength, precision and elegance. The result is a knife that feels as refined as a timepiece and as purposeful as a professional instrument.
Choosing a Herman knife is to embrace a philosophy of excellence, where craftsmanship, design and performance come together in perfect harmony. Produced in very limited quantities, Herman knives are virtually impossible to find in the United Kingdom. Their scarcity only heightens their allure, making them all the more special to those fortunate enough to own one, a true collector’s piece, defined by rarity as much as by artistry.
