One on one Knifemaking course

This is a course that will change your life if you are serious about knives, You can plod along and discover things like new techniques etc by yourself, and I am not knocking it, that is what I did for more than 4 decades, but it takes a long time and lots of trial and error. This course will fast track all that, and you will learn the correct way of making upmarket knives without having to spend 10 or more years developing techniques. Yes the course is expensive, but the knowledge you will gain and time you will save is probably worth ten times the cost of the course. Not to mention the beautiful, one of a kind knife that we will create and you take home

There is only one student, you, who will have my attention for 3 full days and evenings, and at the end of the course you will be well on the way to becoming a very good knifemaker.

We start with the design, and I walk you through the steps to create a great design, then the damascus gets forged to suit the design, premium materials are selected and the entire process of the making the knife is entertained. Afterwards all the different finishes are applied to cap it all off. If there are any specific areas which you need explained in a little more detail this can be done as well. To make such a knife is a lot of work to get through in 3 days, and for that reason we are also going to burn the candle a little and work into the evenings as well. Most people are shocked at how hard we work, so arrive well rested.

To get the maximum out of this course I suggest that you must at least have been making knives for a while, know how to hollow grind and have the basic machines needed to make a knife. The point of the course is that you make the knife with my supervision, not I make the knife while you watch.

The course fee also includes accommodation for 3 nights and all meals and refreshments. If you wish to arrive the evening before the course it is fine, then there is no rush in the morning and we can get started nice and early.

Another nice feature of this course is that it can be held when it suits you,  it is only you and me, so scheduling is flexible.

I guarantee that afterwards you will look at knifemaking with different eyes and this experience will move you years ahead instantly.

Course fee R22 000.00  payable in advance.

Testimonial

Het die tweede mes kursus voltooi wat n voorreg . Dit is n belewenis om sy geduld, kennis, humour, perfeksie en ongelooflike vaardigheid te ervaar.

Die moeite en sy kosbare tyd wat hy met jou deel.

Dit is die kortste 3 dae in jou lewe, skuurpapier kry n nuwe mening. Melinda maak die heerlikste kos.

Jy gaan weg met n Bertie Rietveld mes wat jy op jou heelbeste probeer maak met hulp, geduld, handbysit, moed inpraat en ‘n atmosfeer waar jy gemaklik jou skepping maak.

Jy word met nederigheid vervul in die teenwoordigheid van so  absolute meester mesmaker- kunstenaar.
Dankie vir nog n naweek wat ek nie gemors het nie en nou twee wereldklas messe in my besit het.

Dankie Dankie
 Dr  Daan du Plessis (Oud springbok rugbyspeler en befaamde ortopediese chirurg)

After signing up for the one on one knifemaking course, I was quite surprised to receive homework that needs to be done prior to the course. From the onset Bertie placed a lot of emphasis on design and so the process started with us designing and re designing the course knife until we were satisfied with the design.

The entire process was explained, demonstrated and supervised in detail by Bertie, from forging the Damascus, selecting handle and bolster materials to the techniques, gadgets and tricks involved in making a unique knife and applying the different finishes in the end.

The course entailed 16-hours of hard work in the workshop each day over three consecutive days. All of this was made easy with Melinda’s hospitality and constant supply of snacks and not to mention listening to Bertie’s extensive 80’s music collection in the background while working.

I walked away the owner of an awesome one of a kind knife that I am proud of saying I had a hand in designing and making, but more importantly with loads of information and better equipped to improve my knifemaking skills. The ball is now in my court to apply the newly gained knowledge and to improve the design and quality of my knives.

It was a privilege to spend quality time in the company of Bertie and Melinda.
Barry Barnardt
November 2019