Profile

First Name:
Hennie
Surname:
VAN BRAKEL
KGSA Number:
Member Type:
VOTING MEMBERS
Craft:
Telephone:
083 287 6038
Email:
hilknife@lantic.net
Web Site:
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009406943119
Instagram:
Does Courses:
Yes
Course Info:
I'm offering fixed blade knife courses. I supply all materials which include steel for one knife, sanding discs, grinding belts and handle material. You finish the course with a good looking (not to be ashamed off) fixed blade utility knife.

I teach you the basics of making a fixed blade knife. This includes, marking out and drilling the blank, hollow grind the blade, prepare the handle area, heat treating, polishing, making and fit bolsters, fit handle and finish off. I also teach you to make a leather sheath and how to etch your name on the blade and finally how to sharpen the knife.

The cost is R4000.00 / person. I can handle one or two people.


Profile:
My Profile – Hennie van Brakel
I was born on 12 May 1944 in the Free State town of Reitz. I started my schooling in Reitz and finished at the Technical High School Kroonstad. I joined the South African Air Force as an aircraft electrical apprentice. In 1970 I joined Hulett Aluminium in Pietermaritzburg where I remained until my retirement at the end of 2000.

One day I saw real hand made knives, and I said to my wife: “that’s what I want to do when I retire.” So, I started to build up my workshop and attended a basic knife making course in Durban with Andre Thorburn. Lourens Prinsloo also taught me the finer points of linerlock folders.

In 2004 I entered the non – guild knife competition. The task was to make a replica of the Harry Wolhuter Knife in the Skukuza museum. Through the competition I met the three Wolhuter grandsons. I discovered that Mike Wolhuter lives about 5 kilometers from me and his enthusiasm resulted in my making replica Wolhuter knives for almost his whole family.

In 2005 I was accepted as a member of the KGSA. I work in 12c27, N690, Damascus and Damasteel and make fixed blades as well as folding knives. I forge my own Damascus and do my own heat treatment. In making knives I also use technology in the form of Laser cutting, wire cutting and computer aided design.

Hennie van Brakel
87 Plane Crescent
1 Greenvale Gardens
Howick
3290
Tel: (033) 330 2173
Cell: 083 287 6038
E-mail hilknife@lantic.net

Knife: Bowie with Dog bone Handle
Category: General Knives
Status: Display Only
Notes: TOL:393mm,
Knife: Knifemakers Guild of SA - 30 years of Excellence
Category: General Knives
Status: Display Only
Notes: 3 Blades N690, 3 Liner lock release buttons, African Black wood frame work, Hippo tooth inlay.
Knife: Lady in Flight
Category: General Knives
Status: Display Only
Notes: Sidelock Folder, BL:45mm, Blade:12C27 Stainless Steel, Handle:Hippo Tooth with scrimshaw by Jubane Nkosi, Bolster:3GR12 Stainless Steel.
Knife: Bowie with Dog bone Handle
Category: General Knives
Status: Display Only
Notes: OAL:393mm, BL:270mm, Blade:RWL34, Handle:Hippo Tooth, Guard:RWL34, Handle Pins:316 Stainless Steel, Sheath:Cow Leather with ostrich inlay.
Knife: Silver Wings
Category: General Knives
Status: Display Only
Notes: Blade:Damsel Fine Rossets Damascus, Handle:Stag Antler, Embellishment:Oxidized 925 Sterling Silver, Scabbard:Wood covered with crocodile skin and fitted with decorated 925 Sterling Silver ends.
Knife: Knifemakers Guild of SA - 30 years of Excellence
Category: General Knives
Status: Display Only
Notes: 3 Blades N690, 3 Liner lock release buttons, African Blackwood Frame work, Hippo tooth inlay.
Knife: F22 Folder
Category: General Knives
Status: Display Only
Notes: Sidelock Folder. BL: 75mm, Blade Material: Rietveld Nebula damascus, Bolster: Black carbon fibre, Handle Material: Mammoth molar.
Knife: Bowie with Coffin Handle
Category: General Knives
Status: Display Only
Notes: OAL:397mm, BL:270mm, Blade:RWL34, Handle:Carbon Fibre, Guard:RWL34, Handle Pins:Nickel Silver, Sheath:Cow leather with ostrich inlay.
Knife:
Category: General Knives
Status: Display Only
Notes: TOL:393mm, BL:270mm, Blade:RWL34, Handle:Hippo Tooth, Guard:RWL34, Handle Pins:316 Stainless Steel, Sheath:Cow Leather with ostrich inlay.
Knife: F21 Folder
Category: General Knives
Status: Display Only
Notes: Sidelock Folder BL: 65mmm, Blade: Rietveld Nebula, Handle: Warthog Tooth, Bolster: Black Carbon Fibre.
Knife: Bowie
Category: General Knives
Status: Display Only
Notes: OAL: 410mm, BL: 279mm, Blade Material: RWL34, Handle: Tambotie.
Knife: Wolhuter Replica
Category: General Knives
Status: Display Only
Notes: OAL: 255mm, BL: 150mm, Blade: N690, Handle: African Blackwood.
Knife: Chef Knife
Category: General Knives
Status: Display Only
Notes: OAL: 317, Blade Material: BjörkmansTwist, Bolster: BjörkmansTwist, Handle: Maple Burl.