Thank you for visiting my web page where you can see the knife designs I have as standard patterns or consult on changes to suit your own requirments.

Knives completed to date. October 20  2022    874

Hunting knives at this stage are all by stock removal from carbon steels mostly using 10XX series (75, 84 and 95) with some in O1.  After I cut the blades from the bar or sheet stock, they are profiled, ground and heat treated in my shed with equipment I have made to suit this purpose. The blades are hand sanded to a 1000grit satin finish to reflect the hard work I expect them to be put to.  They need the care that all carbon steel requires and will develope a nice patina over time.

Carbon steel blade  can be had with a stone washed finish .

Kitchen stainless steel  knives from NitroV steel are cryo quenched in liquid nitrogen at minus 198C - 320f and makes for best edge retention on these knives. Kitchen knives can also be had in carbon steel if desired.

I can offer stainless and carbon steel damascus bought in bar form  in various patterns.

Blade etching. I can offer names or initials etched on the reverse side of the blade.

Sheaths can have edge stamping and initials on the face of the sheath done with  gothic styled lettering with honing steels attached when required.

I use acacia and eucalyptus as a standard handle material with pricing revolving around that. There are  options for upgrades with contrasting wood, micarta, brass, copper, bronze, nickel sliver or buffalo horn bolsters.

Handle material with  domestic and exotic woods, buffalo horn, or micarta being available. Sheaths are dyed either dark brown or tan and hot waxed in parraffin wax.

All hunting knives are supplied with a leather sheath in the pouch style and hot waxed to ensure a water protected and  long lasting formed sheath that will hold the knife securely but allow for easy removal for use. Either right or left handed and with some of the knives I offer a cross draw or horrizontal carry option.

Kitchen knives are supplied in protective cardboard blade sleeves.

I started using knives seriously in mid 1960's when I was working on a high country station (large farm) here in New Zealand and found the generally available farm knife ill suited to the killing and butchering of the farm animals I was using them for and that began my interest in proper design for this and of course the associated hunting and later on  kitchen and fishing needs.

I made my first knives after losing a storebought knife that I had had to reshape to better suit its intended useage and from then on I made all my own knives gradually perfecting the designs over the years till I started to make them for sale  in 2016.

There is a very important correlation between good knife design and comfortable and safe use and after many trial knives over the years I believe these designs will make using  them comfortable in hand which in turn allows for safe, accurate knife work.

Von Gruff  

From my shed in

Lawrence

South Otago

New Zealand

Links to sites and forums that  have been a great help in this endevour or have excellent information to share.

In particular the Africa Hunting forum and its members have been a very positive and encouraging  influence. https://www.africahunting.com/community/

Gameco for steel, knife making needs and forge equipment

https://www.artisansupplies.com.au/

USA Knifemaker for all knife making needs  http://usaknifemaker.com/