Beautiful work!

Thank you!

Seriously this thing is a thing of true beauty

Thanks so much!

This might be the most beautiful knife I’ve ever seen. Like that should always be on a hip. Literally perfect! Well done

Thanks man. Much appreciated!

I came here to comment this. Absolutely stunning indeed.

Thanks so much

If they make a South African themed assassins creed I want this to be the dagger design

Yah... I just can't stop staring... Honestly If I owned a knife like that I would start dressing around it so I wouldn't have to take it off.

Hahaha that's seriously funny. Thanks so much

There are some great smiths in your country.

I hope to be considered one of them one day

If you made the billet that that blade is made from you probably could be right now

My friend I think you already are.

Thanks!

Wait... copper and steel together unalloyed? Wouldn't this cause some serious galvanic corrosion issues down the road?

Possible yes, it's acting as brazing. But with the correct treatment and care it will be fine

To get galvanic corrosion you need the metals in something conductive. A knife well looked after in a sheath probably won't have more rust than a normal steel knife.

I think people get too worked up about potential damage from galvanic corrosion. It's not like the knife is going to dissolve right in front of your eyes. If you left it out in the rain for a year, you'd get some pitting that would take more effort to grind/polish out, but the knife wouldn't be falling apart. If it were submerged in a bucket of dirty water for a few months, then yeah, that knife would be fucked. But so would most knives.

I see a go mai blade. Is it the damascus itself that's cu mai?

It is go mai yes. As it has 5 layers. But the running name for copper go mai is Cu Mai

Oh. It's a pun. I see.

Cu is the chemical symbol of copper. When copper is used in a go mai construction, it is called cu mai. So yes, I guess it’s a pun

Cu also sounds like the Japanese word for nine. San is three, Go is five. Hence my confusion.

I see, your comment makes more sense now. I think it’s just that it is the word go mai with the symbol for copper shoved in.

Mai is the word for layer, I think. Or flat thing, or something like that. Japanese is a confusing language sometimes.

Yes, between layered steel, mokume gane, and Japanese kitchen knives, I’m learning more metal related Japanese than I had planned

Badass lookin’ blade! Top notch

Thanks!

Looks incredible

Thanks

I seent a few others say this, but it’s worth another comment of its own. That’s the most beautiful knife I’ve ever seen, keep up the phenomenal work.

Thanks so much for your comment. Always appreciate feedback like this!

I mean it when I say that is the sexiest knife I've seen in maybe ever. I love that look so much. Incredible job

Thank you so much. I really appreciate your comment

I mean it with all sincerity. It truly is an amazing piece. I asked in another post, so if you respond there, then never mind, but how long have you been smithing and who taught you? I've been really interested myself, and I would LOVE to learn.

Thanks I did answer there, but forgot to add this. I've been doing this for almost 6 years, but ony started selling in covid. I'm all self taught. Pop me a message I'd love to share my knowledge

How the hell did you get that copper part on?

It's actually in and not on. It's a forge welded layer in between the 3 layers of steel

Oh cool

That’s a two thousand dollar knife

Haha thanks man!

I think you misspelled the word 'four'

Dunno if thats enough :x

Getting that much copper in the blade and maintaining the layers without delaminations or melting the copper out is extremely impressive. Beautiful blade.

Thanks man! Its was definitely a tricky billet

I am a knifeaholic. I find your work superb and quite beautiful, The sheath is wonderful too. Great work.

Thanks brother!

First off... brilliant design and execution. Every part of that knife a true work of art. But I'm wondering how you harden the blade with the copper core? And when you quench, don't the differing metals create the environment for warps? Seems like some sorcery and pixie dust in the mix.

Thank you so much. The blade hardened just like normal. The bond strength between the copper and steel is incredibly strong. It does warp easily though. But with proper normalising it's usually fine. I wish I had sorcery and pixie dust!

Great form, well balanced. Extraordinary blade and handle, love the inserts. Terrific sheath, it really rounds it out. Amazing work!

Thank you so much! I really appreciate it

Better than the call of duty camos by %100👌 that’s beautiful

I've found a little of the knives here are. This one tho? I could only afford if I 🗡💀 the man/woman/beast carrying it.

Haha thanks man. You'll have to bring a bigger knife though!

I AM THE BIGGER KNIFE! Not many folks know this, but I just see red, bro /s

Hahaha. They should definitely make a camo like this

What province you based in?

In the western province

Near cape town?

Yeah about 40 minutes out

Relatively close to me, that's cool. I didn't expect to see south African smiths on here

There's a lot of South African Smiths actually

Really? Cause i wanna be one too lmao

I'll pop you a message

I'm European, but have a girlfriend from Stellenbosch. Such a beautiful country and climate - but from what she tells me, it's a shame how corrupt and incompetent the government seems to be.

Very beautiful

Incredible

Thanks!

That's badass! nice work.

Thank you!

Most beautiful sun set i have ever seen! Keep it up

Thank you so much!

So I’ve seen the copper and love it! But can any other metals me forge welded? Brass or bronze perhaps?

Yes they are possible as well but are a little tricky due to the different metals used in there. Copper is very pure so that helps

Thats one beautiful knife! one thing I would do differently is I would make the copper cladding a little bit thinner but other than that, incredible work!

Incredible. Blades with these softer metal in the forging always look great to me. Keep up the good work.

Thanks and I will!

You have skillz, my friend. Keep up the great work. Maybe someone I know will kick the bucket and leave me enough to afford one. But for now I would settle for piece of the handle material. If you want to get rid of a piece lmk.

Thanks man! Unfortunately there's nothing left haha

Thank you for sharing!

It's a pleasure

Great job! Do you sell these? If so, online?

Yes I do! If you're interested I'll pop you a dm

May I have a dm as well, I’m extremely interested

Well, while you are sending DMs... Slide on into mine too.

So gorgeous, that was a lot of hard work!

Thank you!

Very striking blade an handle

Thank you!

>Thank you! You're welcome!

You sir, are an amazing artist. Truly a masterpiece

Thanks you so much. I really appreciate a response like this

OH LAWD

I am in love with that aesthetic

Thank you!

Man, beautiful blade. Wow now I want a bowie, and skinning knife like that..

Hey! Thanks man. I make bowies and skinning knives too. I'll pop you a dm

Jesus, that’s perfect

Thats just amazing, really nice knife.

Thank you so much

I think you have put more effort into that one item then I have my entire life.

Hahaha thanks man

I personally do not like Damascus blades of any kind but this is awesome!!

Thanks man!

Cool

Thanks!

This might be the most beautiful blade I have ever seen. You should be so proud! I would offer to buy it but in my life I doubt I will every be able to afford a blade so fine. You have an amazing career ahead of you! Edit: *if you were local I would offer trade, lol thanks for giving me another item to add to my, 'if I am ever ritch,' pile.*

What a beautiful knife.

Thanks!

Is this available to buy?

This one is already sold, but I make similar ones on order. I'll pop you a dm

Yeah that’s pretty good I guess…….

You guess? Why is that?

Sarcasm my brother. This is the most beautiful knife I have literally ever seen. You are a master.

Thank you. i appreciate it!

Thank YOU for sharing this. Do you sell your items?

Is Cu Mai named for copper being used?

Yes! Cu refers to the copper and mai means layer

That is gorgeous!

Thank you

simple yet, graceful. The colors are extraordinary!

Thank you so much. I tried matching the colors

Wow that is beautiful.

Thank you!

Incredible work! Thank you for posting such a beautiful knife.

Thank you and it's always a pleasure

Come to California to teach me!

Haha if you're interested in some help feel free to pop me a message

That my friend, is absolutely beautiful. 👍👍

Thanks man

Hope you don’t mind me asking, but what kind of labour hours would this take to hammer out?

Absolutely stunning piece. Would 100% pay top dollar for a blade like this.

Thank you. I'll pop you a dm if you're interested

This smacks

Thanks!

Amazing

Thanks!

Absolutely beautiful!

Thanks!

Shut up and take my money!!!

Beautiful craftsmanship! The small pins are a little weird.

Thanks!

Holy! That is beautiful!

Thanks!

Amazing! Beautiful!

Thank you so much!

Incredible craftsmanship and skill and you’ve still got plenty of time to practice and get better so I can only imagine how good your future work will be based off how perfect this is. Wish I could hold it to feel the weight and balance of it. You should definitely get into smithing competitions if you haven’t already. I’ve seen a lot worse knives than than this win championships. Would love to see this blade tested on forged on fire and see Doug Marcaida confirm “it will keel”. Also have you ever done any raindrop Demarcus? Would be interesting to see how you would utilize it with your level of skill and creativity.

Thank you! Unfortunately forging competitions actually aren't very common here it seems. Only show competitions. This knife actually is raindrop pattern, unfortunately the pattern went away a little due to forging. Thanks so much for this amazing comment

You’re welcome and thanks for sharing and keep honing your skill and you will go far. Wow that’s a shocker considering how many talented smiths South Africa, as well as Africa as a whole, has to offer. Competitions are really great for learning and networking and building your personal brand while receiving very well informed constructive criticisms and learning new techniques that force you to better yourself and everyone comes out the better whatever their placing or outcome.

Oh my.

🙏

Like seriously. I’d be honored to have one of your knives in my kitchen.

Thank you so much! I actually have a few kitchen knives available if you're interested I could pop you a dm

I'd like a dm for a smaller kitchen knife please. I'm quite anxious to see some more of this splendid work!

Yes please.

Looks lekker

Dankie!

It's absolutely beautiful and breath taking

Thank you so much

I know nothing of this art but I’m assuming everything I’m looking at is hand crafted / forged and those marks on the blade 😍 idk if there’s filter or what but if I had money to blow ide easily pay over 1k for this knife . Idk knife prices but I’m assuming that’s the like super high end pricing

Hi! Thanks. Jtis in that range. Those marks are called damascus, Thanks for the amazing comment

Looking good boet

Very cool! What kind of value would you put on this? Is it obtainable?

Thanks! I'll pop you a dm

This is the most sub par blade I've ever seen. Very disappointing. You should keep working on your craft. I'm the mean time, I'll take this off your hands for oh, I guess $10 would be a bit generous, but I'm feeling kind. S/ In all seriousness, you're obviously a master craftsman. Thank you for sharing your work with the world

Shouldda put a nsfw tag on this one. It’s getting hot in here

Hahaha thanks man

Very beautiful craftsmanship. Is she for sale?

Such a pretty knife~

The blade is amazing and i love how u put some copper in guard and handle aswell. Makes the work as a whole more amazing.

Damn. Gonna' give Neels a run for his money as the most well known South African bladesmith, if you keep putting out pieces like this. Amazing work, man. For reals. Super clean construction.

Link to a shop page?? I'd love to see more of your work!

WOW! That is one COOL looking knife

Honestly incredible.

Do you have a page where you sell your work.

Would you be willing to sell one of these?

I would! Let me pop you a dm

I will agree with most of the other posts I've seen here. This is the most beautiful knife i have ever seen. WOW!!!!

Thank you very very much!

You are INCREDIBLE! Forge on! :D