Kevin Harvey has been a member of the Knifemakers' Guild of Southern Africa since 1991 and began making knives in 1982 and has been a full-time knifemaker for the last 7 years. He is currently a Journeyman Bladesmith with the American Bladesmith Society (ABS) and intends submitting work for his Master Bladesmith evaluation at the June Blade Show in Atlanta U.S.A this year. He enjoys forging most of his blades into historical knives, daggers and bowies out of his own damascus with all being collectable one-off creations.
Kevin together with his wife, Heather, present bladesmithing, damascus steel making and stock-removal courses on their small holding in Belfast in the "Highlands Trout Triangle". The cool climate for forging and the presence of trout are good reasons for living there. For more information on either his work or courses visit www.africut.co.za.
Kevin rarely accepts orders, feeling that his best work is done on his own inspiration. His work is available for sale annually at the Knifemaker's Guild Show in Johannesburg, the Blade Show in Atlanta and from the website www.bladegallery.com.
Kevin attained the Master Bladesmith rating from the American Bladesmith Society at the Blade Show, Atlanta, U.S.A in June 2003. he won two awards at the same show, "Best Bowie by Master Bladesmith" and "Best Knife Submitted by a Master Smith Applicant".
His recent awards from the South African Guild Show include:
2005 DEKS - Best Hunter
2005 DEKS - Best Dagger
2004 DEKS - Best Art Fixed Blade
2004 DEKS - Best Hand Forged
2004 DEKS - Best Hunter
2004 KGSA Show - Best Hunting Knife
2004 KGSA Show - Best Art Folder
2003 KGSA Show - Best Dagger - Collaboration between Kevin and Heather Harvey
2002 - Best Overall Knifemaker
2002 - Best Fighting Knife
2002 - Best Dagger
2002 - Best Miniature (private competition)
2001 - Best Fighting Knife
2000 - Best Dagger
1999 - Best Historical Knife
