In the heart of the charming old town of Graz, just a few steps away from Europe's largest medieval weapon collection, lies the shop of Matteo Scala. Here, at Murgasse 1, the tradition of knife forging and selling has been kept alive since 1873. The history of the Scala family is closely tied to a passion for knives, passed down from generation to generation.
Matteo Scala runs the business in the fifth generation. The family’s roots go back to 1873 when his ancestors came to Graz from the Italian region of Friuli as “traveling sharpeners.” In 1943, Matteo’s grandfather, Rino Scala, opened the shop at Murgasse. In 1981, his father, Rino P. Scala, and his mother, Mercedes, took over the reins. In 2013, the family expanded to Vienna with the “Klingen-Boutique,” and since 2018, Matteo has been running the Graz location, while his brothers, Pietro and Fabio, manage the Vienna shop.
Matteo’s passion for knives was instilled in him from a young age. His first knife, a folding knife by Friedrich Hartkopf, was given to him by his father. “I can't even remember how old I was when I received it, but the fascination with knives has always been there,” says Matteo. Even in school, he always had a Swiss knife in his pocket and enjoyed every blade that came into his hands.
The connection with the renowned knife manufacturer Boker has existed for over 65 years. “The collaboration started modestly, as there were initially no good photos of the knives,” recalls Matteo. Over time, however, a close, friendly-professional relationship developed. Regular visits to Solingen and exchanges at trade fairs such as “IWA” and “Ambiente” further strengthened this bond.
Matteo’s personal favorite knife is the Boker “Damascus Gent 1.” “The design combines the modern with the classic and is suitable for every occasion,” he explains. The excellent Sanmai Damascus and its great price-to-performance ratio make it one of Matteo’s best Everyday Carry (EDC) knives. A special anecdote about this knife: “I’ve had it for about ten years. When it was once out of stock, I’ve already sold it twice from my pocket and immediately reordered it.” The knife is very popular among customers, both young and old, and is often chosen as a gift. The strongest feature of the “Damascus Gent 1” is its lightness and simplicity, which make it an eye-catching piece. “The edge is very sharp, and thanks to the high carbon content in the cutting layer of the blade, it’s easy to keep sharp by yourself,” says Matteo.
The shop of Matteo Scala is not only a place where high-quality knives are sold but also a place where the passion for precision work and craftsmanship is palpable. The Scala family has made it their mission to continue this tradition and pass on the fascination with knives to the next generation.
