Handcrafted Knives by Sid Jones

Home


dagger



sgian dubh sock knife with scabbard




hunter in sheath




folder




utility knife



About Sid Jones Handcrafted Knives


Cosmos country | Knifemaker in Belfast MpumalangaSid Jones Handcrafted Knives’ workshop is situated in Belfast, Mpumalanga, South Africa, a small town 200km east of Pretoria. This is a farming and mining area at an altitude of over 6000ft (1800m), which means bright sunny days but cool nights. Cosmos country (see picture).

I have been making knives, as a hobbyist, since 1996, when I made my first two knives, influenced by a blade design of the French art knifemaker Pierre Reverdy. My working life was spent in engineering, in which I did my apprenticeship. Being retired, I now have the time to pursue my hobby with as much energy as age will allow.

In 2007 I qualified as a member of the Knifemakers Guild of Southern Africa. Although I have since allowed my membership to lapse, this bears testimony to the quality of my workmanship.

A perusal of my gallery will illustrate the types of knives I make, using the stock-removal technique with suitable carbon and stainless steels, heat treated to a Rockwell hardness appropriate to the knife’s purpose.

Knife News


July 2018

Knives currently for sale include:

  • a bird & trout knife
  • utility knives
  • sub-hilt fighters
  • hunters


Handcrafted Knives, or Handmade Knives?

Grinding a bladeWhat's the difference between "handcrafted" and "handmade"? Many knifemakers (and others) will say "it's just a matter of personal preference". Both terms describe individually-made works of art with a functional use. Yet, in modern times, few people truly use no machinery to make their knives, hence our preference for "handcrafted" - "a work requiring manual and artistic skill" - with the use of power tools where needed.


Left: Grinding a blade
Below: Forging a blade for fun, at Heavin Forge

Forging a blade at Heavin Forge