San Mai Fighter

CAS Knives (Sobral Brothers)

CAS Knives is brothers Claudio, Ariel, and Marcelo Sobral. Since a very young age Claudio showed a penchant for weapons. At the early age of 16 he left his Technical High School and began employment at a firearms Factory learning the secrets of the trade: forging, machining, milling, polishing, bluing and other skills required in the shop. In the meantime, his brother Ariel graduated from Commercial High School in 1994. After leaving school Ariel tried different work projects till the two brothers decided to partner in a small graphics business after the firearms Factory closed. While working in their graphics shop Claudio didn't forget his love for guns and knives: inspired by his involvement in Internet Knife Forums and his attendance of local Knife Shows he started making his own knives as a pastime around 2005. Some of his first knives were presented to relatives and friends, who warmly welcomed them. Soon his knives became known to other persons, many asking Claudio to make them one. In a short time Claudio became a part time knife maker while Ariel helped with handle marketing and business management. As their experience grew and their work became well known among the local knife fanciers the requests for their knives increased to such a level that they decided to close their graphic business and devote full time to knife making. At the beginning, Claudio´s knives were identified by his own initials: “C.A.S.”. With Ariel joining, they decided to keep “C.A.S.” as it also meant “Claudio & Ariel Sobral” as well as “Cuchilleria Artesanal Sobral” (“Sobral Custom Knives”) feeling there is no better way of signing their knives. By 2011 they were working full time, and in 2013 younger brother Marcelo joined them to help with sheath making. They have a preference for San Mai technique, very attractive both aesthetically and functionally: the softer inox blade sides combine with a hard center making for a very tough blade, while the carbon edges show a “hammon like” dark contrast very attractive to the eye. Claudio, Ariel and Marcelo find in knifemaking a way to express their creativity, skills, passion and love for a hard work in which they feel happiness and enjoyment. In January 2015 they opened a new workshop in Jose Leon Suarez, a town in the neighborhoods of of Buenos Aires.