Knifes and such

[greyfox]

I am going on safari next July (2014), and my son and daughter in law are joining me for a few days. I want soemthing special for all of us, so I am thinking a warthog tusk handle custom knife set with warthog leather sheaths, etc. I am thinking if I take a warthog (on my list) and they each take one, using the tusks for handles, have one hide tanned for the leather..
I got the idea from a man here who went to RSA a few years ago,

So the question is, who, where and how much. I think it would be cheaper, better, more authentic to have the work done in RSA, anyone know any good knife makers there??

thanks.

 

[Ignobilis]

That sounds like a great idea. Also consider some of the local hardwoods for handles - we have some beautiful stuff. Wild olive is particularly special. Warthog hide is fairly thin so the sheath will need to be laminated, I'd imagine. But we have a thriving group of knife makers in SA producing exceptional work & organised into a Guild - see http://www.kgsa.co.za/ Two makers I can recommend are Rob Brown & Andre Olivier. I have knives from both & they are very good.

 

[greyfox]

Interesting, I did not know warthog hide is thin. Here. In the USA, our hogs have thick, tough hides.
After I posted I found a maker in Bethlehem, he uses buffalo hide.

thank you

 

[Ignobilis]

Who are you going to use in Bethlehem? Buffalo hide makes a brilliant sheath.

 

[greyfox]

Bernardo? I figured I'd ask Marius if he has any recomendations, Just something I'm thinking about, a custom set of knives for my son, daughter in law, and I??

Arno Bernard Knives Home Page

 

[Ignobilis]

Beautiful knives. I especially like the simplicity of the Kudu line.

 

[rnovi]

Bernardo? I figured I'd ask Marius if he has any recomendations, Just something I'm thinking about, a custom set of knives for my son, daughter in law, and I??

Arno Bernard Knives Home Page

I have a warthog scaled Arno Bernard - it is just plain fantastic. It was a gift from a friend and without question is the nicest knife I have in my collection.

They are truly heirloom knives.