Herbst
Maps in Pretoria

We are a father-and-son team who develops and promotes the art of handmade knives as a hobby or business.

HERBST KNIFE-MAKING ACADEMY develops and promotes the art of handmade knives as a hobby or business. Gawie and Thinus are both award-winning members of the Knife-makers Guild of Southern Africa. They have received several awards for their outstanding designs and craftsmanship. All the designs and materials used in the production of HERBST knives are reflective of the uniquely rich South African environment. Not only do we make exceptional knives but we also have knife-making courses available that is completely hands-on. One can choose between three different courses during which you will have the opportunity to learn how to design and make your own knife. These courses include a fixed-blade knife-making course, a basic folder knife-making course (Slip-back) and a liner-lock folder knife-making course. Furthermore, when purchasing any product from the HERBST KNIFE-MAKING ACADEMY you will receive a comprehensive support service that includes supplies to start you off in the knife-making world. His passion and love for this hobby inspired him to pursue this as a career in He is constantly looking for more creative ways to improve his skill as a knife maker. He is the first knife-maker to master decorative laser-cutting through blades. Gawie is particularly known for his spectacular African designs, especially the designs of the Big Five. Since he started his career as a knife-maker he won frequent awards for his marvellous knives and became a member of the Knife-makers Guild of Southern Africa in He won the prize for the Best Newcomer on the Guild Show that year. Gawie is also well known for being a trendsetter in the knife-making industry. As there is a very limited variety of knife-making equipment available in South Africa, he decided to design and manufacture his own unique range of highly specialized knife-making machines. Today he is one of the leading manufacturers of knife-making machines in the world. Since a very young age Thinus was exposed to the art of knife-making by his father, Gawie. After completing high school he decided to join Gawie from whom he learned the intricacies of this art form. Together they built a well equipped, state-of-the-art workshop from where they make products of a very high standard. He won 3 first prizes during the annual Durban Easter Knife Show and he became a Guild member in 2001 where he won the Nick Grabe trophy for the best new knife-maker. His knives draws attention at every competition, exhibition and show that he enters. His specialization is fixed blades, folders, knife sets, art knives and swords. Thinus has a passion for 3D etch work where he uses acid on his blades. These knives are highly in demand by national and international knife collectors. Photos and articles about his work have been published worldwide in magazines and books that includes 500 Knives, Blade magazine, Knife Illustrated and the Knife-makers Annual Yearbook. There are various methods of designing your liner-lock folder.