Guilds, clubs & knife shows
Where South African makers meet, compete and sell — and where you can see and hold the knives before you buy.
Coming up
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6 & 7 November 2026
BFN Knife Show 2026
Ramblers Club, corner of Alexandra Avenue and Aliwal Street, Bloemfontein
The Bloemfontein Knife Makers Club's annual two-day show, this year in the historic Ramblers Club (earlier shows were at Bobbiespark). Makers and suppliers from across the country exhibit and sell, so you can meet the people behind the knives and hold them before you buy. Past shows have judged the best knives on show, with awards for forged knives, fixed blades and folders. Friday 13:00–19:00, Saturday 09:00–15:00. For more information call 083 557 1148.
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27 & 28 November 2026
Safari Knife Show 2026
Safari Nursery, Waterbok Hall, Lynnwood Road, Pretoria East
Custom knives, handmade quality, knife supplies and courses under one roof in the Waterbok Hall at Safari Nursery, Pretoria East. Limited tables are still available for makers and suppliers; to book one, call Hantie on 081 502 1101. The same venue has hosted knife shows before: the Baobab Custom Knife Show used its Kudu Hall in 2016 and 2018.
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27–28 August 2027
KGSA Annual Guild Show 2027
Mosaïek Lifestyle Centre, 1 Danielle St, Randburg
More than 60 of the country's leading makers plus allied craftsmen and suppliers. VIP preview Friday from 11:00, public entry 12:30–17:30; Saturday 08:30–14:00. Children under 12 free.
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Judged at the 2027 Guild Show
KGSA Non-Guild Knife Competition 2027
Open to non-Guild makers from Southern Africa
One prescribed profile — a 7-inch chef knife designed by Neels van den Berg and Jean Wilke. First prize R5,000 cash and a potential head start toward KGSA membership.
Guilds
Knifemakers' Guild of Southern Africa (KGSA)
The national guild. Members are assessed before admission; runs the annual Guild Show and the biennial non-Guild competition.
Cape Knifemakers Guild
Western Cape guild with a public member directory.
Clubs & associations
South African Bladesmiths Association
National bladesmiths' association.
Bloemfontein Knife Makers Club
Bloemfontein club founded in 1990. Runs courses on forging, Damascus steel and blade making, and the annual BFN Knife Show.
Border Knife Makers
East London and Buffalo City area, Eastern Cape.
Cape Knife Club
Club for makers and collectors in Cape Town and surrounds, open to beginners.
Discovery Knife Club
West Rand, Gauteng.
Garden Route Knife Makers
Mossel Bay and the Garden Route.
Goldfields Knifemakers Club
North-West Free State.
Highveld Knifemakers Club
Middelburg, Mpumalanga, and surrounds.
KZN Knifemakers Club
KwaZulu-Natal.
Lowveld Knife Makers
Nelspruit (Mbombela), Mpumalanga, and surrounds.
Moot Knifemakers Club
Pretoria, Gauteng.
North Coast Knifemakers Club
KwaZulu-Natal north coast.
Pietermaritzburg Knifemaking Club
Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal.
Rand Bladecrafters and Miniatures Club
East Rand, Alberton and surrounds, Gauteng.
Run a club that’s missing here, or have its current details? WhatsApp 084 825 4427.
Regular shows
NAMPO Alfa
The livestock, hunting and outdoor expo at Nampo Park, Bothaville (2026: 2–3 October). Beside the livestock and the shooting-sports stands, some makers exhibit their knives. In 2026 Lourens Beytell Knives was in the Nutrifeeds Hall, stand 30.
Makers exhibiting: Lourens Beytell.
Baobab Custom Knife Show
Pretoria show with novice and open categories.
Huntex
Hunting and outdoor expo where many makers exhibit.
Dates for these shows change year to year — check the organisers' pages before you travel.