I have had Garry make two Knives to order , one for myself and one for my father in law in Europe , We are both hunters and need a well balanced and easy to handle knife for the field dressing of animals.

Custom made with love and passion ...Von Gruff Knives are made from quality steels, presented beautifully in quality leather sheaths and dressed in bespoke woods or handles of choice , usable ...presentable and reliable and proven to hold an edge and deliver hours of service without sharpening, even then the provided optional steel are perfect for a quick refresh of edge .

I am proud to support Kiwi made and a craftsman whose tool making is more than a job,

an engineer and Artisan.

Many thanks

Steve Fiordland

4X4 Hunter

We all rave about his knives, but the craftsmanship that goes into his sheaths is unmatched. Easily one of the highest quality leather product I’ve ever had in my hand. Like them so much I ordered two in different carry configurations and love the versatility!!  Simply unbelievable customer service paired with such a quality product at such reasonable prices, don’t hesitate to get one for yourself! I don’t get anything from him and am not affiliated at all, but really cannot say enough good things about him and his knives!

Justin A H forums

My new Von Gruff

well it happened today. 2 young billy goats copped a headshot each from the 280 and became meat. the von gruff hunter/skinner was used exclusively - a new experience for me, as i have always found it quicker to use a number of knives rather than sharpen during the job. first impression is that it is a big knife and a little knife, doing the jobs of both. it is surprisingly versatile and nimble, in part due to the blade shape, and in part the handle. to the blade first. it runs the cuts down the legs and up the belly/chest very well, holding the cut but not digging in. the blade is long enough to shove down the hole in the pelvis to clear the lower stomach tube, bladder, etc., ready to remove the guts. this blade can be used in a number of ways due to the design flexibility. as to the edge, it started in a condition that would "pop hair" when it shaved your arm. gutting, beheading, and removing lower legs had it in a condition where it would just shave hair, but ypu could feel it pulling hair. removing lower legs included cutting hair, as i just cut inward on the joint, snap the joint manually, and then separate it with the knife. a few light uses of the little steel were included in the process. the blade is easy to use on the point, back from the point, and back near the hilt when required. i then brought the bodies home with the skin on to keep then cleaner in the back of the ute. the cuts were made, then the knife used to start the skin which was then mostly punched off. the bodies were then boned out with the same knife, and all the meat cut into cubes. at the end of all this and using the steel, the blade would still shave hair but also still pulled a bit. 5 strops per side had it shaving cleanly again without pulling hair. which raises the point that it did lose some sharpness, but could be kept at a good useable sharpness. i could have started another goat willingly without doing anything to it. i sometimes wonder how hard warm meat is on blades. i had hit bone a number of times with the edge. now to the handle. i have never used a handle like this one. i discovered a myriad of ways to hold it for different tasks, and every way it just plain worked well. it can be used 3 fingered, 3 1/2 fingered, and 4 fingered. it can be pushed and pulled equally well. it is equally comfortable right way up, upside down, and sideways. it can be used edge up or down with the blade coming out of the back of your hand. and all of this with comfort and control. i have never had a knife handle so user friendly. and the rough micarta scales do as garry said - grip your hand. they are not slippery when wet either. it is part of the key to the knifes nimbleness. all in all it is easily the best knife i have ever owned for the work i do. i can now sell all my pumas happily bruce.

Hunter skinner

Garry, I cannot say enough about the great qualities of my Hunter Skinner knife. I like how the weight of the knife is light yet it has enough strength to tackle anything. I dressed and skinned three deer this year and did not even need to touch up the edge with a steel, let alone a stone. Great value in a custom knife and I love the wood grain. Thanks again. John M. MLC Forums

AH big game knife

I went to the mail box after work and there was a package from New Zealand in it. I unwrapped an incredibly nice and well made knife! looking forward to taking it to the woods and bush for a long time. I would say anyone looking for a well crafted knife would be well server touching bases with @Von Gruff . Thank you!

AZDave AH forums

Safari Knife

Garry, I took the knife you made for me on my recent elk/deer hunt in Montana. It got bloodied on a bull elk and my guide said it was the sharpest knife he had ever used, including a Havalon and was still sharp after field dressing and quartering the elk. The guide also raved about the handle and the really good feel and grip. I ended up giving the knife to the guide, so I will be ordering another one from you soon. Will wait to see your piggyback design. 375 Ruger fan AH Frums

Bushcraft hunter

As @Von Gruff said, I received an early prototype of one of his knives for testing and I'm so pleased to report how nice the design is.

This is not a complete review but I thought a couple of highlights are worth mentioning. I'll write up a complete review when I gather enough knives to do "Phase II" of the knife review in the coming months.

-The blade was of an ideal thickness, thicker than most alternatives, but not grossly so. Just thick enough to handle the rough tasks and additional leverage one can apply to a knife with a slightly longer blade and handle.

-The sheath design was also a prototype, but the parafin dipped sheath makes the knife "lock" into place exceedingly well and it does not snag on the blade.

-The 01 tool steel held an edge beautifully. I've not attempted/needed to sharpen even after doing some pretty horrible things to the knife.

-The handle is longer than all other knives I reviewed (per my request) by a slight amount. That slight amount will fit most outdoor hands better and it keeps your hands from abrasion on the lanyard should you wish to use one.

Overall, the knife is very impressive, more so since its the first of its kind that Von Gruff has ever made. I look forward to it being part of a formal review coming later on.

RookHawk AH Forums

Swamp kauri thumbrest skinner

The knife arrived today and I am beyond words to express how pleased I am.  My wife said “it is gorgeous”  but that I shouldn’t use that term to describe it.  As others have noted on the web, your knives are truly a great intersection of beauty and utility, and this is a great example of that combination.

Ray. AH forum

Wapiti Hunter Butcher