Industrial Knives
Precision KNIVES for wood, paper, veneer, and remanufacturing industries.
From chipper knives to guillotine knives, Checkmate supplies industrial-grade knives built to hold their edge in the toughest environments. Backed by world-leading brands like TKM and Illma, we provide cutting solutions that combine steel quality, dimensional accuracy, and expert support.
Why Choose Checkmate Knives?
World-Leading Knife Steel
In-Spec Performance
Rotorua-Based Stock
We hold critical stock in our Rotorua head office, ensuring fast local delivery and support without the international shipping delays.
On-the-Ground Technical Support
Need Help Choosing the Right Knife?
Features That Matter
OEM-Grade Precision
Ultra-Tight Tolerances
High Surface Finish Quality
Durability First
In-Country Stock
Industries We Serve
Checkmate knives are trusted by processing teams across:
Sawmills
Our knives are built to handle the high-volume, high-pressure demands of sawmill operations. Whether you’re running chipper heads, counter knives, or profilers, Checkmate blades provide the durability and precision needed to produce clean, in-spec cuts – every time. Designed for maximum edge retention and fast changeovers, our sawmill knives help keep productivity up and downtime down.
Remanufacturing Plants
From finger joint cutters to planing and profiling heads, remanufacturers rely on our knives to deliver consistent results across a wide range of secondary processing tasks. We supply a full selection of high-grade steels, including T1 and coated knife options, to match specific production goals. Our team also offers technical support for tuning and setup to help you get the most out of your knife investment.
Plywood & Veneer
Veneer and plywood production demands clean, continuous slicing with minimal deviation. Checkmate’s veneer knives – supplied in partnership with TKM – meet ISO tolerance standards and maintain their edge even in high-speed lines. With smoother finishes and tighter tolerances, our blades help reduce material waste and improve recovery rates.
Paper & Pulp
Knives for Remanufacturing Operations
Serrated, planer, coated, and inlay blades that keep your remanufacturing operation moving.
 Our offering for the remanufacturing sector is extensive and designed for flexibility. We carry a broad range of planner knife materials in both plain back and serrated back formats, supporting every stage of your profiling or finger-jointing process.
Illma Steel (Italy)
In-Spec Performance
Finger Joint Cutters, Cutter Heads, and Profiling Heads
All available through Checkmate
No matter the machinery or application, we help customers select the best knife steel to maximise operational returns and edge longevity.
Why Choose Checkmate?
When you choose Checkmate, you’re not just buying a product – you’re partnering with a team that understands the demands of your industry. From product quality to technical advice, we deliver the experience, support, and reliability that keep your operations moving.
Decades of industry experience
Trusted technical support across NZ and Australia
Exclusive access to TKM and Illma premium steel
Knife stock on hand when you need it
Custom advice for your exact application
Frequently Asked Questions
What knife steels do you supply?
Do you keep knives in stock in New Zealand?
Can you help with setup, sharpening and ongoing support?
Are your knives OEM-spec and compliant with NZ safety guidance?
Yes they are. Our knives meet or exceed common OEM tolerances and are sourced from recognised global manufacturers. We also align operator guidance with WorkSafe NZ machinery safety information.
Need Sharpening or Knife Machinery Too?
We don’t just sell knives – we help you maintain and maximise them. Checkmate also supplies knife grinders, sharpening services, and machinery to support cutter heads and finger jointing setups. Talk to us about how we can support your entire knife lifecycle.