A little about me and my knives
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.
My knives at this stage are all by stock removal from carbon steels mostly using 10XX series (75, 84 and 95) with some in O1 or in stainless (12C27/NitroV) where it is prefered. After I cut the blades from the bar 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 600grit 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.
I can now offer stainless steel damascus blades in various patterns and for the carbon steel blade they can be had with a stone washed finish .
I can offer initials on the face of the sheath done with very nice gothic styled lettering
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. Sheath leather is 1/8 in cow hide dyed either dark brown or tan.
All 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.
I started using knives seriously in mid 1967 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 farm animals I was using them for and that began my interest in proper design for this and of course the associated hunting 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 a 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/
Geoff at Hawera rewinds for The scary sharp sharpening system https://www.scarysharp.co.nz/index.php
Gameco for steel, knife making needs and forge equipment
https://www.artisansupplies.com.au/
USA Knifemaker for all knife making needs http://usaknifemaker.com/