Terms of service

Terms of Service — Oak Bay Knives

Last updated: September 21, 2026

Welcome to Oak Bay Knives. These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of oakbayknives.com (the "Site") and any inquiry, commission, or purchase you make through it. By using the Site or submitting a Custom Order Inquiry, you agree to these Terms. Please also review our Cancellation, Refund & Return Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference.

  1. Who We Are

Oak Bay Knives connects clients worldwide with master blacksmiths across Japan to create fully bespoke, hand-forged knives. We do not sell off-the-shelf inventory; every knife is made to order following a personal consultation.

  1. Our Products & the Commission Process

Every Oak Bay Knives piece is a one-of-a-kind, hand-forged commission. Submitting a Custom Order Inquiry begins a consultation, not an order — a project is confirmed only once we have agreed with you on specifications, price, and timeline, and you have made the required deposit payment described below.

Because each blade is forged by hand from natural materials, minor variations in grain, hardness, color, and finish are inherent to the craft and are not defects. Photographs and descriptions on the Site are representative; the finished piece may differ slightly due to the handmade nature of the work.

Forging a bespoke knife takes time. Estimated timelines provided during consultation are our best good-faith estimate, not a guaranteed delivery date, and may be affected by the availability of the commissioned blacksmith, material sourcing, and the complexity of the design.

  1. Pricing & Payment

All prices are quoted in US Dollars (USD) unless otherwise stated. Commissioned work requires a deposit (currently 50% of the agreed price) to begin production, with the balance due before the finished piece ships, as communicated to you during consultation. Payment is processed through Shopify Payments via a secure payment link sent to you directly.

Prices shown on the Site are guide prices only. Your final quote will itemize the price of the commission, shipping, insurance, and, depending on the destination, customs duties and import taxes, and will state whether your shipment is DDP or DAP (see Section 4).

  1. Shipping & International Orders

Oak Bay Knives ships internationally. Please note:

Shipping costs, insurance, and estimated transit times will be confirmed with you before your order is finalized.

Shipments to the United States, Canada, and member states of the European Union are made on a Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) basis: customs duties and import taxes are included in the price quoted to you and prepaid by Oak Bay Knives. Duties and import taxes included under DDP are estimated at the time of the quote, and the quote remains valid for the period stated in it.

Shipments to all other countries are made on a Delivered at Place (DAP) basis: customs duties, import taxes, and other fees levied by the destination country are not included in the item price or shipping cost, and are the responsibility of the recipient.

The applicable terms (DDP or DAP) for your order will always be stated in your final quote. Some knives may be subject to import restrictions or require special permits in certain countries. It is your responsibility to confirm that a commissioned blade can be lawfully imported into your country before placing an order. Oak Bay Knives is not responsible for items delayed, seized, or returned by customs authorities. Risk of loss and title for items purchased pass to you upon our delivery to the carrier.

  1. Accuracy of Information

We aim to keep product descriptions, pricing, and availability information on the Site accurate and up to date, but we do not warrant that all content is complete, current, or error-free. We reserve the right to correct any errors, inaccuracies, or omissions, and to change or update information, at any time without prior notice.

  1. Communications

By submitting an inquiry through the Site, you consent to receive communications from us by email regarding your commission, including consultation details, payment links, and shipping updates. We will not use your contact information for unsolicited marketing without your consent.

  1. Prohibited Uses

You agree not to use the Site: for any unlawful purpose; to attempt to gain unauthorized access to any portion of the Site or its related systems; to submit false or misleading information in a Custom Order Inquiry; or to interfere with the proper functioning of the Site.

  1. Intellectual Property

All content on the Site — including text, photographs, designs, and the Oak Bay Knives name and branding — is the property of Oak Bay Knives or its licensors and is protected by applicable intellectual property laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works from this content without our prior written consent.

  1. Third-Party Links & Services

The Site may link to or use third-party services (including payment processing and email communication services). We are not responsible for the content, policies, or practices of any third-party service, and your use of such services is subject to their own terms.

  1. Disclaimer & Limitation of Liability

The Site and its content are provided "as is" without warranties of any kind, express or implied. Knives are handcrafted tools with sharp edges; you agree to handle, store, and use any commissioned piece responsibly and in accordance with any care instructions provided.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Oak Bay Knives shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages arising from your use of the Site or a commissioned piece, including but not limited to loss of use, data, or profits, even if advised of the possibility of such damages. Our total liability for any claim arising from a commission shall not exceed the amount you paid for that commission.

Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability that cannot be excluded or limited under applicable law.

  1. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of Japan, without regard to its conflict of law principles. Any dispute arising from these Terms or your use of the Site shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Japan, unless mandatory consumer protection law in your country of residence provides otherwise.

  1. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for legal, regulatory, or operational reasons. The updated Terms will be posted on this page with a revised "Last updated" date. Your continued use of the Site after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

  1. Contact

Questions about these Terms can be sent to support@oakbay.jp.