A New Standard in Kitchen Cutlery: The Story Behind TZ Knives

In the world of kitchen knives, the options seem endless—yet the quality rarely meets the hype. On one end of the spectrum, you’ll find ultra-premium chef’s knives designed for professionals, often priced beyond reach for everyday home cooks. On the other, mass-produced budget sets that dull quickly, corrode easily, and lack soul.

TZ Knives was born to close that gap. Founded by former Army Ranger and blade designer Cameron Toor, we’re here to disrupt the culinary cutlery market with a product that reflects passion, performance, and precision. Veteran-owned and operated, TZ Knives fuses the grit of the battlefield with the finesse of the kitchen, resulting in knives that are as capable as they are beautiful.

Whether you’re a professional chef or a weekend kitchen warrior, our mission is simple: Create the best kitchen knives on the market—without the luxury markup.

From Ranger to Knife Maker: The Origins of TZ Knives

The story of TZ Knives begins long before our blades ever touched a cutting board.

Cameron Toor, our founder and lead designer, began his journey as an Army Ranger, where the importance of reliable tools wasn’t just a matter of performance—it was a matter of survival. After his military career, Cameron along side his brother Connor set out to start Toor Knives, a company renowned in the tactical and outdoor knife community for producing some of the most durable, field-ready blades in the industry.

At Toor, Cameron along side over a dozen blade smiths designed and developed knives trusted by the worlds most extreme hunters, soldiers, and adventurers. But over time, a new passion began to surface—cooking. And with it, the realization that the same quality, thoughtfulness, and edge retention found in tactical blades was often missing from kitchen knives, especially in the mid-tier market.

It was time to bring battle-tested craftsmanship to the cutting board.
It was time for TZ Knives.

Why TZ Knives Is Different

We don’t just make knives—we solve problems. The knife drawer in most homes is filled with dull blades, bacteria, and shame. The high-end stuff? It’s out of reach for most families.

So we built something better. Non Toxic Antimicrobial titanium coated high carbon stainless steel knives with interchangeable handles and buildable knife blocks at a reasonable price.

1. Veteran-Designed Performance

Cameron’s background is present in every element of the design—from ergonomics to durability and every microscopic detail in between. For over two years he worked with metallurgists, designers, and blade smiths all over the world, to create one knife… After designing the first he set out to design five more through the exact same process. Every detail has been tested, refined, and built for real use.

2. TITANOX™: A New Breed of Blade

The word you keep seeing get thrown around is TITANOX.  TITANOX™ is our proprietary titanium-coated, high-carbon stainless steel designed specifically for kitchen performance. “Titan” referring to Titanium as well as our name TITAN ZEUS and “OX” short for “INOX” is another word for steel — Titanium-Steel.

Japanese VG10 steel with Titanium Nitride Coating

• Exceptional hardness and edge retention
• Superior corrosion and wear resistance
• Antimicrobial titanium coating that reduces bacteria by up to 99%
• A unique, dark reflective finish that sets it apart aesthetically

In short, this blade material holds its edge, repels bacteria and stands up to the abuse of daily kitchen use.

3. Modular Knife Block System

No more committing to a full set you’ll never use. Our modular knife block system allows you to build your own collection over time. Each block section holds two knives and attaches magnetically to create a full set when you’re ready for it.

Whether you start with one knife or six, your gear grows with your skills.

The First Blade: The TZ-01 Chef’s Knife

Every brand needs a flagship—and for us, that’s the TZ-01.

This was the first knife designed under the TZ name. Inspired by traditional Japanese chef’s knives and refined through years of tactical blade influence, the TZ-01 is:

Versatile – Ideal for slicing, chopping, dicing, and mincing

Balanced – Engineered for comfort during extended prep sessions

Durable – Built with TITANOX™ for unmatched performance

Elegant – A sleek, minimal design that belongs on any counter

This knife does everything a $500+ chef’s knife can do—without the $500 price tag.

The Process: Built with Purpose

Our knives don’t roll off a factory line. Each blade is the result of a meticulous process focused on performance and quality:

Step 1: Premium Steel Sourcing

We work with the finest steel producers around the world, using VG10 as a base steel then enhancing it with a Titanium Nitride coating to create our TITANOX™ blend. Though the coating process doesn’t happen until after a vigorous heat treat and tempering process; We aim to achieve a 59-61 on the Rockwell Hardness scale ensuring a razor sharp edge after sharpening and years of durability.

Step 2: Expert Blade Crafting

Each blade is precision-ground, heat-treated, tempered, coated and finished to exacting standards. Edges are sharpened to a 15 degree angle ensuring razor sharpness out of the box. Our team works tirelessly to ensure every single blade is absolutely perfect.

Step 3: Custom Handle Fitting

Our handles are interchangeable, allowing you to replace or customize them based on your grip, hand size, or aesthetic preference. They're attached with just two screws, making handle swaps simple and fast.

Step 4: Final Assembly & Inspection

Cameron personally oversees final assembly in the U.S., where each knife is hand-checked for balance, finish, and edge integrity before it ships to your door.

Veteran-Owned. Kitchen-Tested. Family-Approved.

We’re proud to say that TZ Knives is veteran-owned and operated. But that doesn’t just mean we’ve served—it means we hold ourselves to a standard of discipline, consistency, and mission focus in everything we do.

We’re not chasing trends. We’re building tools that perform.

Whether you're a former service member, a home chef, or someone who just wants better gear in the kitchen, we’re here to raise the bar—and meet you where you are. This is why we have partnered with GovX to provide exclusive deals to service members and their families.

The Market Was Broken. We Fixed It.

Let’s be honest—most kitchen knives fall into one of two categories:

The Overpriced Status Knife

You’ve seen them. $500+ chef’s knives made from extremely high end steel with ornate handles and custom boxes. Beautiful? Sure. But way beyond the reach of most households—and often more showpiece than workhorse.

The Disposable Box Set

You’ve seen these too. A $49.99 “15-piece” set at your local big-box store. They work—for about three weeks. Then the edges go dull, the handles start to crack, and you’re back in the aisle again. Not to mention the bacteria build up that happens on these cheaply made knives.

TZ Knives is the Third Option

We set out to create a kitchen knife that offers premium performance, durability, style, and safety —without the bloated price tag.

• Japanese steel for extreme edge retention ✔
• Titanium-coated to repel Bacteria ✔
• Modular build system for customizability ✔
• Affordable for everyday families ✔

You shouldn’t have to compromise. And now, you don’t.

What Sets Us Apart: A Breakdown

What’s Next for TZ Knives

We’re just getting started. As the brand grows, here’s what’s coming down the pipeline:

• Steak Knife Sets – Same modular block design, scaled for smaller blades
• Custom Handmade Knives by Cameron – A limited series of artisan blades
• Expanded Accessories – Sharpeners, prep tools, and knife care kits
• Content Series with Chefs & Creators – Get behind-the-scenes with our team and fans

Join the Movement

Our mission is bigger than just selling knives. It’s about building community, raising standards, and inspiring people to cook again. Because when your tools are dialed, cooking stops being a chore—and starts becoming something more.

From prep to plate, your knives should be an extension of your passion. That’s what we build at TZ Knives—gear that feels good, looks better, and performs like nothing else.