HANDMADE KNIVES: ARE THEY WORTH IT?

Theuns Prinsloo folder, owned by Magnum’s editor.

Handmade Knives:

Are They Worth It?

by MIKE SKELLERN

An exquisite Rob Brown knife. I HAVE always been attracted to fine knives, fine guns and fine trout rods, sometimes beyond my needs and often beyond my means. I have filled my firearm licence quota with utility guns; I have four sets of trout angling tackle; I have what I need – but I do not own a Purdey or a Hardy.

It’s different with knives. Relatively speaking, they are more affordable –even the finest custom knife costs no more than a working rifle. Moreover, it will last as long and give as much pleasure. You can buy very good factorymade knives of all descriptions at reasonable prices, but you will not get to own a ‘Purdey’ or a ‘Hardy’ this way. If you want the best, you must consider a custom knife.

After failing to find exactly what I wanted at knife shows, I had an ivoryhandled hunting knife made to my specifications. It is all I had hoped it would be – I use it constantly and have never regretted spending about three times the price of an over-the-counter knife. The “bark” (outer surface of the tusk) handle retains the beauty that nature bestowed, and does not become slippery when wet or bloodied. I use it for skinning and cutting up game, for biltong

Supremely practical Andrew Frankland hunter.

cutting, and all manner of veld and camp chores. I have used ordinary knives for more years than I care to mention, but the shape and balance of this custom knife turns a chore into a pleasure.

I dare not allow camp staff to use it, they have the habit of sharpening knives on the nearest suitable stone, but I can see that they are awed by the beauty of the knife, and are impressed with its performance. The blade is swept back for skinning, while the point is low for control. The blade is strong, to separate joints when butchering, and the hollow grind makes for ease of sharpening.

Many factory-made knives offer the same features, so what is really that different? Precision craftsmanship for one; superior steel and fittings for another. Fine lines, good balance, with originality of design and artistry. What makes a Purdey a bespoke rifle or shotgun?

To see what I had been missing all these years, I bought a good custom skinner (it works well, but carry two knives?); then a custom commandostyle dagger (I couldn’t resist its beautiful ugliness, not for settling disputes); then I needed a folding knife for when not carrying the sheath knife…

One thing led to another, and now I not only own several handmade knives – I also make them. The equipment has set me back a bob or two more than I would have spent on buying more knives, and I have formally and finally kissed goodbye to my free time. But, in compensation, I can now talk knife language, and I have my own table at knife shows instead of just being an admirer. I also understand why handmade knives cost more than production items.

What makes the difference? For a start, custom folders can take a week or so of meticulous work with costly equipment. There can be more than 500 operations involved in making a gentleman’s pocket knife. When so much time is spent in the design and making of a knife like this, it is not worth using anything but the best materials. The action should be like that of a well-tuned trigger: smooth and with a clean snap, but never loose.

The best steels are expensive and are more difficult to machine and heat treat than other ordinary carbon steel. Greater resistance to corrosion, greater strength and better edge holding properties are features the knife maker looks for when choosing steel for an expensive handmade knife. Custom knives are cut, ground, hammered, or carved out of solid blocks or slabs of the original materials, by hand. The most popular style is the hunting pattern with exotic South African hardwood, horn or ivory handles. But of course you can buy or commission a heavily embellished and engraved presentation piece or ‘art’ knife – whatever suits your fancy.

There is always something new happening in the knife world – recent developments in handmade folding knives include new opening and closing mechanisms, brilliantly anodized titanium and niobium metals, tiny screws… liner lockers, mid- and button locks…

A good way to get acquainted and keep up-to-date with custom knives is to visit a knife show where you can compare styles and skills and talk to the makers. Why not pay a visit and decide for yourself if handmade knives are worthwhile?

The Knifemakers’ Guild sets standards of skill and craftsmanship thus protecting knife buyers and the good name of its membership. Visit www.kgsa.co.za for more information.

Harry Wolhuter commemorative knife in a yellowwood case made by Owen Wood in the 1980s.

This article first appeared in Magnum, November 1991