BLOEMFONTEIN KNIFE MAKERS CLUB ANNUAL EXHIBITION
The Bloemfontein Knife Makers Club was founded in 1990 and although the main reason for its existence is to promote the art of knife making, there are also a few knife collectors associated with the club.
Magnum readers will probably own at least one knife, but we all know that one knife is never enough given the differences in functionality, aesthetics, maybe an heirloom passed on, a knife bought for investment purposes, or simply a knife with an irresistible ‘must have’ factor.
Last year several art or investment grade knives were on display at the club’s exhibition and as this is a topic not often discussed, Bertie Rietveld, world-renowned knife maker (see photos), was raked in for his input. In Bertie’s words: “The idea of spending a lot of time on one very special art knife rather than churn out many ordinary knives appealed to my sense of perfectionism,” probably lays at the crux of an investment piece.
Design, for Bertie, is the most import aspect of an art knife and often more time goes into the design than the actual making of the knife. He draws his inspiration from nature or anything that has good lines, be it a suspension bridge, animal bones or supercars. The spinnaker sail of a yacht once even inspired a new design.
No single factor defines an investment grade knife, but exclusivity in design, excellent craftsmanship and premium-grade material all contribute to the value of a knife.
Although the general
