There is something special about an object made by hand. Every mark, curve and detail tells a story, and visitors will get the chance to discover the skill behind handmade blades at this year’s Cape Town Knife Show.
Taking place at The Food Court Arena at Tygervalley Shopping Centre on 24 and 25 October, the show will bring together more than 50 knifemakers and suppliers from across South Africa for a weekend celebrating craftsmanship, creativity and the art of knifemaking.
Hosted by the Cape Knife Club, a non-profit organisation established more than 30 years ago, the event aims to showcase the country’s custom-knifemaking community and the talent behind its creations.
Showcasing the skill behind every blade
Visitors can expect to see an impressive range of handmade and bespoke knives, from practical working blades and hunting knives to intricately detailed collector’s pieces.
Beyond the finished products, the show will also offer insight into the process of making a knife, giving visitors the opportunity to explore the materials, tools and techniques involved in the craft.
Knifemaking supplies will be available, including machinery, belts, specialist steels, wood and other handle materials. Experienced makers can source equipment and materials for their next project, while those interested in trying their hand at the craft may find inspiration to begin making their own knives.
For collectors, the event offers an opportunity to meet the makers, view their work up close and discover unique pieces that cannot simply be found on a shop shelf.
The show’s theme, “See What Steel Can Become”, reflects the transformation of raw materials into distinctive creations through skill, patience and imagination.
Handmade knives up for grabs
Alongside the displays and suppliers, visitors will have the opportunity to enter a lucky draw and a separate raffle.
Every R50 admission ticket automatically enters the holder into a lucky draw to win a hand-forged XL Baby Cleaver valued at more than R1 000.
A separate raffle will offer visitors the chance to win a handmade chef’s knife crafted by Philip Dunn of Dunn Blades, a member of the Knifemakers Guild of Southern Africa (KGSA). Raffle tickets cost R50 each, and the knife is valued at R3 000.
Whether visitors are experienced collectors, aspiring knifemakers, craftspeople or simply curious about the art of transforming steel into something functional and beautiful, the Cape Town Knife Show promises a weekend celebrating South African talent and craftsmanship.
The show takes place on 24 and 25 October from 09:00 to 15:00 at The Food Court Arena, Tygervalley Shopping Centre. Entry costs R50 per person, which includes automatic entry into the lucky draw for the hand-forged cleaver.
Visitors can also purchase separate raffle tickets for R50 each for the chance to win Dunn’s handmade chef’s knife.
