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Knife Making
Making your own knife is an experience to treasure. As well as having a really fun time, by the end you'll have a custom-made knife of exceptional quality, along with the knowledge and confidence to make your own knives at home.
Kelvin teaches knife making here. Like most things he's good at it he started his knife making journey by tinkering in his little shed at home, driven by curiosity and the thrill of figuring things out. That was over 20 years ago when he first started teaching himself how to make knives. As an avid outdoorsman he puts his tools to use, while hunting and fishing, and preparing the food he brings back from the bush, sea or river. Kelvin's an all-rounder on our team - he also works in the timber yard for our sister company Heritage Timbercraft, so he is able to source specialty timbers for knife handles and what's more, he knows how to treat the timber so it will last.
We all chipped in earlier this year to repurpose a storage room on the back of our timber yard for Kelvin's knife making workshop. We used locally grown macrocarpa for the benches and walls, greyed off with a salt solution to give it a nice aged look. It's in the heart of where all the timber work is done at Heritage Timbercraft, so there's a lot of action outside, and a lot of knowledge too which can come in handy, e.g. we've had guests with some really specific requests for their timber handles that we have been able to fulfill pretty easily thanks to the always helpful team we have on hand, and all the timber resources on hand too.
15n20 is what Kelvin generally uses. This is a high carbon European steel and besides being versatile and strong with a nice polish, it's also accessible for folk who want to take what they've learned from Kelvin and do it at home. Passing on the craft is one of Kelvin's big drivers; keeping it alive for those who value tradition and self reliance. Of course not everyone will have all the tools required to make knives at home off the bat, but if you really want to do it it absolutely is within reach. Kelvin is living proof as he started acquiring the tools to learn metal craft over 20 years ago, with hardly any of the things which make such pursuits far easier nowadays - the internet, notably.
Knife making course options
Branded knives using the same steel and comparable timber for the handles as used in Kelvin's knives typically retail for between NZD $180 and $300. If you have any questions you can also contact us or call Pete on 027 3799213
Full day
This 8 hour class equips you with everything you need - from start to finish - to make your own knife at home. Refreshments are provided throughout and you will walk away with your very own custom knife at the end of it. If you are staying in our accommodation here we can split the class into different days - 1 afternoon session followed by a morning session the next day for instance. Children require adult supervision. Groups of up to 8 people can do the class at once. You will have a selection of native and specialty timbers to choose from for your handle.
Time: 8 hours
Price: $475 per person
Half day
Kelvin created the half day option to suit guests with less time to spare. He does most of the preparatory metal work in advance so that when you arrive, you can dive straight in. Besides pupils with less time, we find it also suits people who want the experience of making a knife, but aren't necessarily quite as passionate about metal work and hands-on crafts as others. The half-day class is advantageous for parents with young children because it is more child-friendly as as the slightly riskier preparatory work has already been done, meaning younger kids (with an adult supervising them) can participate. As ever, walk away with the custom made knife, made by you, to keep forever.
Time: 4 hours
Price: $300 per person
FAQs
Yes. Steel, handle materials, pins, adhesives, abrasives and all consumables are provided.
