Buying South African custom knifes?

T

Tarry

Joined
Oct 17, 2018
Messages
9
Good day all.
I have been a long time viewer and really enjoy some of the discussions here.
This brings me to the reason I am posting.
I would really like to know, is buy South african custom knifes really wort it. I know that South African makers chase the US market due to the Doller been greater then the Rand.Ive noticed that the pricing on the South African knifes has rissen quite hight an is compatable to the pricing of custom knifes made locally.So my question is what value are we realy getting or is this just a one sided thing , benefiting the makers. I am sure that Local South African knife buyers pick up knifes for a better price. I understand that international shipping is a consideration to take into account but not the determining factor when pricing a knife. Don't get me wrong, their are great SA makers who's work is outstanding but just as equally priced or if not more , as our local makers. To me is seems that most South African makers are jumping on the band wagon in chase of the dollar ?Main question is it worth buying these knifes?
Thank you and regards.
 
hello Terry!

I should think you can answer your own question. According to your other thread from October 2018 you own/owned a Thorborn and a Burger. What is the actual question you have?
I enjoy all of my SA makers knives.
 
Tarry said:
Good day all.
I have been a long time viewer and really enjoy some of the discussions here.
This brings me to the reason I am posting.
I would really like to know, is buy South african custom knifes really wort it. I know that South African makers chase the US market due to the Doller been greater then the Rand.Ive noticed that the pricing on the South African knifes has rissen quite hight an is compatable to the pricing of custom knifes made locally.So my question is what value are we realy getting or is this just a one sided thing , benefiting the makers. I am sure that Local South African knife buyers pick up knifes for a better price. I understand that international shipping is a consideration to take into account but not the determining factor when pricing a knife. Don't get me wrong, their are great SA makers who's work is outstanding but just as equally priced or if not more , as our local makers. To me is seems that most South African makers are jumping on the band wagon in chase of the dollar ?Main question is it worth buying these knifes?
Thank you and regards.
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So really what you are asking is why South African makers deserve to sell their knives at an equal or greater price than makers from other countries????

Our knife makers are some of the best in the world. They make world class quality knives and charge appropriately. Apart from electricity everything a South African knife maker uses to produce their work is imported, mostly from the USA. Meaning that a comparable US Dollar price is appropriate.
 
Thorburn...Yes as well as the other well know South African makers, what about the rest?
 
I know no one is forcing me to by South african knifes. I personally feel that we have great makers locally that needs our support so why look else were? More like the Nick Shabaaz approach lol.
 
Tarry said:
I know no one is forcing me to by South african knifes. I personally feel that we have great makers locally that needs our support so why look else were? More like the Nick Shabaaz approach lol.
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Which US makers do you have in mind?
 
Of course it's worth it! Regardless of where its from these guys bust their butts to make these knives just like American makers. My favorite bladesmith is from SA (neels van den berg) and one of the best folde makers is there(Gareth bull)
Also they use American products so everytime they buy a piece of supply to make a knife they're paying that same import shipping price.
 
Tarry said:
Thorburn...Yes as well as the other well know South African makers, what about the rest?
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There are literally hundreds of South African makers. Exactly who are you referring to?
Some South African makers are internationally well known, other less so. Obviously the price and quality reflects this. Are you looking for South African makers who are not well exposed to the US market and thus cheaper?

Tarry said:
I know no one is forcing me to by South african knifes. I personally feel that we have great makers locally that needs our support so why look else were? More like the Nick Shabaaz approach lol.
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No offence but you seem to be posting questions and answering them in the same post?
Many Americans prefer to buy made in the USA and I understand and respect that. What exactly is it that you are asking in this thread?
 
OP, you'd be equally justified asking whether or not ANY custom knife (American or otherwise) is worth the asking price.
Are the knives from South Africa selling? Yes they are - ergo are they 'worth' the asking price just as much as any other custom.
Some fine knives come out of South Afrca.
Ive had my eye on a knife with a warthog tusk handle for a while.
 
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I paid 750 for this Thorburn; the workmanship is outstanding; polished titanium liners blue ano over it, engraved bolsters, super fast action,it snaps like nothing else ive ever handled. I think for the price your getting so much workmanship.I don't know of many knives in that price range that have this kind of work into it.



 
In general, I see the South African knife makers to be the same as the US ones. I like the varied handle materials that are often available from the South African makers.

The price seems to be slowly rising in general which is no surprise as the makers develop a good reputation.
 
valknut said:
Of course it's worth it! Regardless of where its from these guys bust their butts to make these knives just like American makers. My favorite bladesmith is from SA (neels van den berg) and one of the best folde makers is there(Gareth bull)
Also they use American products so everytime they buy a piece of supply to make a knife they're paying that same import shipping price.
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Just out of curiosity how have your Gareth Bulls been in terms build quality? Have you taken them apart at all?

I have seen on several of the older examples things like crooked pivot barrel and crooked standoff which mean the knife only fits together correctly when the stop pin and pivot are at the right degree of rotation. (The female pivot screw must be rotated correctly on one and the standoff on another). I love the design though and love mine despite the flaws so I am curious if the newer Shamwaris are better built.

I have also seen similar flaws on a Burger. I’m no expert on SA knives and I am sure there are tons of great knives but I have become a bit wary of SA knives after 3/3 have had some pretty significant finickiness. Definitely not beginners knives lol.

I’m kind if curious about Chaael Pienaar now.
 
Where a knife is made doesn't imbue them with special properties. Why would it matter that they are selling for close to prices from USA made? Here's a question, what if your favorite USA maker moved to South Africa, would his knives suddenly become different?
 
Lapedog said:
Just out of curiosity how have your Gareth Bulls been in terms build quality? Have you taken them apart at all?

I have seen on several of the older examples things like crooked pivot barrel and crooked standoff which mean the knife only fits together correctly when the stop pin and pivot are at the right degree of rotation. (The female pivot screw must be rotated correctly on one and the standoff on another). I love the design though and love mine despite the flaws so I am curious if the newer Shamwaris are better built.

I have also seen similar flaws on a Burger. I’m no expert on SA knives and I am sure there are tons of great knives but I have become a bit wary of SA knives after 3/3 have had some pretty significant finickiness. Definitely not beginners knives lol.

I’m kind if curious about Chaael Pienaar now.
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That's the first I've heard of that. I dont own one yet it's my grail knife lol
 
Id avoid Gareth bull like the plague. Inconsistent quality and no communication and a few other issues. Long history of problems and its still happening today.

My personal favorite is Trevor Burger. The original front flipper and some really good well made knives.
 
Mo2 said:
Id avoid Gareth bull like the plague. Inconsistent quality and no communication and a few other issues. Long history of problems and its still happening today.

My personal favorite is Trevor Burger. The original front flipper and some really good well made knives.
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So most Burgers are A OK? I understand that handfit custom folding knives rarely turn out as exactly perfect as say a high end production.

valknut said:
That's the first I've heard of that. I dont own one yet it's my grail knife lol
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I imagine part of the reason no one can ever get ahold of Gareth Bull is because he is constantly flooded on all channels asking for repairs. His old knives work but putting them together is like a puzzle, like I said not a beginner’s knife. You have to know a thing or two about putting knives together beyond just screw it together.

I have heard that the newer G Bulls are worlds better built. I hopefully will get to see if that is true at all based on one my friend is getting. I definitely have a newer one in my sights to get before too long. Look for bearings, torx wrench pivot and a clip which screws in from the inside of the scale so it appears to be a screwless clip. These are the hallmarks of his newer ones.

Good luck on your grail hunt!
 
Lapedog said:
So most Burgers are A OK? I understand that handfit custom folding knives rarely turn out as exactly perfect as say a high end production.
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Mine has zero issues and you dont see any complaints anywhere about them. A maker that actually communicates also helps alot.
 
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