Knifemaker

Gilles Pretorius

A Cool Dark Place

Pretoria, Gauteng

In Gilles’s own words

A Cool Dark Place Est. 2021
This is a place for worthwhile things to be collected, stored, taught, sold and enjoyed.

Founder Gilles Pretorius started his formal training in Biotechnology. After completing his studies at University of Pretoria he moved to Cape Town where he embarked on a career as an Industrial Designer. He enjoys the design and manufacture of useful items. So for the bulk of the last 16 years

focused on furniture design and manufacture. Here he built up solid knowledge of CAD design, CNC manufacturing and project management.

However, the art of knife making was always intriguing to him, so on the side he developed this skill as well.

Come 2021 he moved back to Pretoria and jumped head first into establishing a space where he can express his wide variety of interests.

A Cool Dark Placemy website

Written for this directory in 2026.

Courses

1 and 2 day courses available. Check my website for details www.acooldarkplace.co.za

Past work

These pieces show Gilles’s style; most have found owners. Ask what’s on the bench now or commission your own.

  • Karelean Sentry Dagger by Gilles Pretorius

    Karelean Sentry Dagger Sold

    Steel: 80CRV2 · Handle: Stabilised Karelean Birch · Length: ~300mm · Full Flat Grind semetrical dagger with Oil Black carbon steel guard and pommel. Spacers are brass with coining detail.