Knifemaker
Barend Zaayman
Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal
In Barend’s own words
Barend Zaayman, from Richards Bay, KZN, South Africa. Growing up on a farm in the Eastern Cape a knife in your pocket was part of life. I Always admired a good looking knife and in 1993 while working at the then Iscor in Newcastle I saw one of my colleges making a knife and that was the start of my knife making journey.1 st couple knife were horrendous as I didn’t have anyone to guide me. I then got introduced to the late Boekoe van Rensburg and Basie Jordaan and they helped me onto the right way with their vast knowledge and experience.
Was a part time maker till around 2000 when I got transferred for work, that was also the end of my knife making for 18 years, at the end of 2018 slowly got back into it again. With the lockdown I got full steam into it again and got a big liking in the making of slippies.
At beginning of the year my son also started making knives and nothing better than spending time in the workshop working on knives with him. I prefer making practical knifes, user knives and folders. Mainly using N690 and natural products for handles like wood and animal products.Huntex..
Written for this directory in 2020.
Past work
These pieces show Barend’s style; most have found owners. Ask what’s on the bench now or commission your own.
-
BZ Knife 10 Slip Joint Knife
Steel – Blade and Spring N690 · Handle – Black Ivory/African Black wood · OAL = 155 mm · Blade = 65 mm
-
BZ Knife 9 Slip Joint
Steel – Blade and Spring N690 · Handle – Black Ivory/African Black wood · OAL = 155 mm · Blade = 65 mm
-
BZ Bird and Fish Knife 2
Steel – N690, stainless steel bolster · Handle – Giraffe Bone with red liner · Leather sheath · OAL = 200 mm
-
BZ Knife 7 Bird and Fish Knife
Steel – N690, stainless steel bolster · Handle – Warthog tusk · Leather sheath · OAL = 220 mm
-
BZ Knife 6 Slip Joint Folder 6
Steel – Blade and Spring N690 · Handle – Black G 10 · OAL = 160 mm · Blade = 70 mm
-
BZ Knife 5 Liner Lock Folder
Steel – Blade ladder damacus, with titanium liners and bolsters · Handle – African Black wood/ Ebony / Black ivory · OAL = 140 mm · Blade = 60 mm
-
BZ Knife 4 Slip Joint Folder 4
Steel – Blade and Spring N690 · Handle – Mopanie Wood · OAL = 155 mm · Blade = 65 mm
-
BZ Knife 3 Slip Joint Folder 3
Steel – Blade – Piet Goosen Damascus 1080/Ni and Spring N690 · Handle – Hesion Macarta with 304 Stainless bolster · OAL = 165 mm · Blade = 70 mm
-
BZ Knife 2 Slip Joint Folder 2
Steel – Blade and Spring N690 · Handle – Green G 10 · OAL = 155 mm · Blade = 65 mm
-
BZ Knife 1 Slip Joint Folder
Steel – Blade and Spring N690 · Handle – Wild Olive/ Olien Hout · OAL = 160 mm · Blade = 65 mm
