I started making knives as a boy, using whatever steel objects could be found on the family farm. Little did I know then that the files and plowshears I used would constitute such good foundations for my knives. In 1994 after a number of years spent fine tuning my knifemaking, and picking up tips from fellow knifemakers, I was accepted into the South African Knifemakers Guild. Highlights of my Guild membership thusfar have been my being awarded the "Best Historical Knife" in 2000, and being voted to the chairmanship position in 2002.
In keeping with my knifemaking origins I forge and work my own damascus steel, with a particular liking for composite patterns with a "twist" or "explosion" edge. Another feature of my forged knives is the blueing process where I experiment until I get a unique colour for each blade.
I also make my own "tikume", a damascus-type patterning of different grades of titanium. For my handles I prefer giraffe bone, elephant ivory and mammoth ivory.
Designs which most appeal to me are folders, daggers and fighters.
I am at my happiest between the forge and the anvil !!
